In collaboration with the World Music Festival Bratislava, we invite you to experience an evening of Roma music featuring performances by Pekovci and Čavalenky.
Roma music forms an important part of both the Slovak and global music scenes. When people hear the phrase Roma music, almost everyone imagines something different. Some think of an energetic dancing bašavel, others of melancholic songs once played by café musicians, or Roma pop. But what does contemporary Roma music look like today — both traditional and modern? The event will offer concerts from different genres, dance and singing workshops, and a proper bašavel for everyone.
This Roma music event has a strong regional dimension, as it presents local talents such as Pekovci from Bardejov, who draw inspiration from traditional Roma songs, dance and the musical culture of Slovakia. Its international dimension lies in the fact that Roma music — combining traditional motifs with modern genres such as gypsy jazz or Roma pop — is an important part of the global music scene. Presenting these genres allows Slovak audiences to experience musical expressions that resonate internationally, while supporting dialogue between traditional Roma roots and contemporary global musical trends.
PEKOVCI
The cimbalom ensemble Pekovci is currently one of the most significant cimbalom bands in eastern Slovakia.
Today, Pekovci are among the most sought-after cimbalom folk ensembles from eastern Slovakia. The core of the band consists of brothers Maroš Šivák (double bass) and Ján Šivák (cimbalom) from Zborov. The group’s name comes from the nickname of their father, Ján Šivák Sr. (“Peka”), their first music teacher.
The brothers have long collaborated with another excellent musician, violinist Jozef Žolták, while the group also includes Filip Kanaloš on viola and Marek Haluška on accordion. Although the instruments in the band are clearly assigned, many of the musicians are multi-instrumentalists who, besides playing with Pekovci, also perform in other bands or with local folklore groups.
An important part of shaping their repertoire comes not only from family traditions but also from playing at weddings, celebrations, dance parties and other events in Bardejov and the surrounding region. Their musical language has been influenced not only by practical experience and formal musical education, but also by a deep immersion in regional musical traditions. All members of the ensemble are well-versed in and proudly represent the mastery of their ancestors — members of Roma musical dynasties from the Upper Šariš region.
ČAVALENKY
Rudolf Danihel, also known as Čavalenky, comes from Holíč in the Záhorie region and focuses on socially oriented rap in his work. He started writing his first lyrics at the age of eight, and today he is already in his thirties. His music is not aimed at any specific social group — he makes rap for everyone, regardless of religion, race or opinions. He draws inspiration from the stories of people experiencing homelessness, those struggling with drug addiction, and from politics.
He is grateful and happy to be surrounded by people who support him and that he can perform in the media space and on stages he once only dreamed of. Today his songs have tens of thousands of views on YouTube. His biggest support comes from his family and his fans. His language of expression is the Záhorie dialect.
On the scene he is something of a solitary figure who keeps watch over the fate of the weak and the broken, helping them mainly by sharing their stories. His music is not only about strong beats and an original style, but also about the power of testimony and perhaps even about offering a positive example or lesson for others.
At concerts, Čavalenky performs with the group Romano Rat, which also includes DJ Hallabeat and rapper Vandal. Their videos are produced by Zmatek. Čavalenky is half Roma, but he does not like being labelled a “Roma rapper”. He considers such labels just as strange as calling someone a “white rapper”. He does not accept categorizing people based on race, although that does not mean he avoids his roots.
His album “Zadližený” was created over the last three years during what he calls a period of silence. Its aim was to highlight the harsh reality and problems of ordinary people. With it, Čavalenky confirms his status as one of the most persistent and authentic figures in Slovak rap.
Admission to the event is free, but registration is required.
