Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

Or Happy International Romani Day! 8 April, dubbed International Romani Day, has been around since 1990—but the story starts earlier. Back in 1971, Romani representatives from across Europe met near London for the first World Romani Congress—bridging divides, even with the Iron Curtain still in place. Since then, it’s been about language, identity, culture—and being heard. And right now, that voice is loud. Slovak singer Julia Kozáková is part of that wave, here presenting her album "Manuša II"—entirely in Romani— that topped the World Music Europe charts and picked up Best World Music Album at the 2025 Radio_Head Awards. Dominika Badžová from STVR’s Romani-language broadcast will add her insight into why music matters so much in Romani culture, and about the stereotypes associated with it from the majority perspective, is Dominika Badžová from STVR’s Romani-language broadcast. Culture tips at the end of the show include an invitation to Dorota Sadovská’s exhibition in Vienna, a look at Slovak singer Adéla as a support act for Demi Lovato in the US and Canada, highlights from international artists at the Light Art Festival in Trenčín, and an appearance by an iconic American documentary filmmaker at a conference in Banská Bystrica.