The story of the Kesaj Kids starts in the 1990s.
They
are born and grew up in the "Gypsy Street" of Kezmarok, a historic
town of Eastern Slovakia. That street is the buckdrop and shaper of their
childhood. Fortunatly, however, things wask out pretty well here there's
not too much misery. For sure, they are a bit isolated from the "others"
(whites), but luckily there's no excess, perhaps only the Roma's somewhat
exuberant tendency to view their family and community lives a bit Italian
stayleì. Everything that happens is known and seen by all, preferably
in the street of course. Of course, the "others" are watching,
and these colorfull people who have a main aspiration: to became like
the "others", to meet into the apparent opulent consumption
patterns of the swanding populace, to live the American dream now dreamt
only by Albanians, Afgans and a few other suppliers of illegal immigrants.
But before making the dream a reality, it's best to take a peek at real
reality. And that's where prejudices and exclusions of all sorts show
their ugly heads. Here, the transition from childhood to adulthood happens
in the twinkling of an eye, smile fade, sunshine gives way to drizzle,
a situation only to widespread in the world. But which gives us a great
opportunity to engage in magic through music!
Music schools steadfastly but offen unsuccessfully try to teach the pleasure
of self expression through music, singing and dancing talents that Roma
children possess admirably. This blossoming through artistic expression
is a great treasure that we make possible to become true. This may sound
like day dreaming, but in fact it's rather simple. It's enough to provide
some leadership, preferably by people of the same origin, self esteem
comes with the first successes on stage, and the rest flows naturally.
School records improve, there are less stupid pranks down town and who
knows? Maybe there will even be hope for the future!
This succes' story was partly achieved by a Slovakian Roma association
called Kezmarsky Hlas (Kezmarok's voice), which in 2 000 created the gypsy
song and dance group "he Kesaj Kidsì" A tour in France
showed that we don't only export illegal immigrants, but prefer to offer
our treasures, hoping to give the wish of visiting us and share our happiness!
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