Date: 2020

Venue: Kherson Music College

Organizer: KYRS

Project description: The Kherson City Association of Young Roma together with the actors of the Kherson Puppet Theater implemented the project of the children’s puppet show “Magic Violin”. This is the second stage of cooperation between our organization and the theater after the first performance, The Incredible Adventures of Rada Girl, dedicated to the friendship of children of different nationalities.

Project goal:

• Overcoming ethnic stereotypes and forming a tolerant attitude towards the Roma community
  through children’s art.
• Promoting Roma culture, customs and history among children.
• Creating a positive image of Roma from early childhood.

Program of the event:

• Press conference with the participation of the President of the Roma Council of Ukraine
  Yuriy Ivanenko, theater director Viktor Havryliuk and the chief director, People’s Artist of
  Ukraine Borys Chupryna.
• The premiere of the play “The Magic Violin” based on a fairy tale by Roma-Ukrainian authors
  that combines legends, music and traditions of the Roma people.

About the play:

The main character is a boy named Lexa who is looking for water for his people. The story is
full of elements of Roma culture – songs, dances and proverbs – and its idea is to give
children a positive impression of Roma.

The significance of the project:

“The Magic Violin is a unique example of intercultural cooperation, where the state theater and the Roma community have joined forces to create high-quality children’s art. This project shows how art can change the perception of the Roma people and foster tolerance and respect in children. The Kherson City Association of Young Roma will continue to work on developing similar initiatives.