Teatr Romen –

Moscow’s
Romen Theatre

Founded in 1931, the Romen Theatre is an

institution whose history traces a multitude of
cultural and political aims.

History

Predecessors of the theater’s repertoire

included an operetta in Romani, Romani folk
songs, and uniquely Romani interpretations
of Russian music. From its earliest
beginnings to its present programs, the
theater has continued the 18th- and 19th-
century tradition of Romani choirs that
aristocrats had patronised in Russia. The
theater itself, however, was very much a
socialist project.

From its inception, the Romen Theater has

been characterized both by romanticised or
even exoticised depictions of Romani lives.
The visual component features refined,
highly stylized women’s dancing, in addition
to percussive dance steps by both genders.
The performers’ acting, singing, and
instrumental interpretations are often charged
with pathos.

During the first part of the 20th century, some

of the Romani elites associated with the theater
were at the vanguard of literature and other
documents in the Romani language.

Intellectual milieu
During the first part of the 20th century, some
of the Romani elites associated with the
theater were at the vanguard of literature and
other documents in the Romani language.
And while most of Romen’s programming
focuses on stage plays and other shows
presented in a melodramatic style, there is
also an educational element to the
institution’s mission. For example, visitors
can take a guided tour to learn about the
theater’s historical context.

An excerpt from a synopsis of the tour on the

theater’s website promises a history lesson:

‘The popularity of Romani choral art in the

center of the creative intelligentsia during the
first half of the 19th century. ... Professional
choral ensembles of settled Moscow Roma; the
appearance of acting dynasties at the turn of
the 20th century. ... The idea of creating the
Indo-Romani theater ensemble; the birth of the
Romen Theater on 16 December 1931. History
of the theater’s development.’
International influence

The styles of music and dance that crystalised

at the Romen Theater were widely
popularized by the 1975 film Tabor uxodit v
nebo, known in English as “Gypsies Are
Found Near Heaven.” Through cultural
dissemination and the emigration of Russian
Roma themselves, the repertoire has had far-
reaching effects on Romani stages in a
number of countries.

The Stringo ensemble from Kazakhstan performs “Vengerka,” a Romen

Theater standard.
Rights held by: Stringo (performance) — Zuzana Jurková (recording) | Licensed
by: Slovo 21 | Licensed under: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International | Provided by:
Slovo 21 – NGO (Prague/Czech Republic) | More at:Khamoro - World Roma
Festival / Slovo 21

The internationally popular song “Andro verdan” as interpreted by the

group Gelem
Rights held by: Vadim Kolpakov & Gelem (performance) — Zuzana Jurková
(recording) | Licensed by: Slovo 21 | Licensed under: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0
International | Provided by: Slovo 21 – NGO (Prague/Czech Republic) | More
at: Khamoro - World Roma Festival / Slovo 21

Songs in the Romen Theater repertoire are

often sung in Romani or a mix of Russian and
Romani, although romans (romances) and
other Russian songs are performed as well.
“Raya and Her Gypsy Legacy,” an ensemble
formed in Norway by a former Romen singer,
provide a Russian-language example.