The legendary “Queen of the Roma” Esma Redzepova, daughter of a shoe cleaner, has conquered the stages of the world with her unique voice and charisma in a dreamlike career. A sparkling firework of emotion and temperament, carried by virtuoso fanfares. Esma has been a very important part of the Gypsy Festival from the very beginning. Her very last concert in her long career was on November 13, 2016. A short time later, she sadly passed away.

With its innovative repertoire,  SSASSA invites you to a thrilling foray through the fascinating world of the Roma. The interplay of musicians from Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Switzerland shows their intensive engagement with traditional and modern music. Ssassa is an important link in between of different music bands performing at the festival. The formation of Ssassa has changed over the years.

The world-wide known dance company Flamencos en route brings the spirit of flamenco to life. The presence of the dancers and musicians lets the spirit of flamenc spark to the audience and awakens passion and longing. In modern and colourful costumes, the most Spanish of all dances is so to speak dusted off by the “Flamencos en route” without disenchanting him. Flamencos en Route were a milestone in the course of the Oriental & Flamenco Gypsy Festival.

Dhoad come from the Rajasthan desert in northwestern India. From the Thar desert come the first Roma, who have always moved from city to city as troubadours and musicians in order to entertain the people and the nobility. In this musically and spiritually fruitful earth, the musical craftsmanship is passed down from father to son, from generation to generation. Dhoad offer a spectacle based on this rich background with sapera dance, fakir show and captivating music. Dhoad has been a regular guest at the Gypsy Festival since 2003 and they have enriched it with their colourful culture.

Romano Drom is a legendary Hungarian Gypsy group. With three fantastic solo voices, traditional Roma percussion, guitar and dance, they play fiery songs from their childhood. Nyandi Matilda, a charismatic singer, captivates her audience with her unique voice. Accompanied by the swing-insoaked groove of the guitar, the quartet Romano Drom takes you into an enchanting world of Roma culture.

The Arabic group Arez is made up of international artists: Mohamed Issa from Paris is an emotional violinist and gifted singer, both interpretations of the classical songs of Egypt as well as vocal improvisations testify to great intensity. Abdul Kader Ghourani, who lovingly accompanies the blind fellow musician on tours, is a master of the enchanting oriental zither Kanun. Kamal and Taoufiq Essahbi tie together on the oriental rhythm carpet.There is a wonderful CD of Arez: Order by mail to christian@ssassa.ch

The Aliev Bleh Orkestar plays Balkan beats that inspire a growing international audience. With trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, tuba, tenor horns, tapan and darabuka, the ten musicians generate a rich sound that is full of joie de vivre. They offered a massive, unforgettable performance at the Gypsy Festival 2009 – here in the picture together with Leonor Moro

Ida Kelarova and Desiderius Dusad come from Czech Roma musical families, who have been expressing their culture in poignant songs for generations. With their charismatic, unmistakable voices and their immense tone, they tell of love, hope and joy. Together with four other musicians, they play beautiful Roma songs whose magical energy is considered jewels within Roma culture. Based on their rich tradition, they combine modern elements with their musical heritage. – Gypsy Festival 2011

Esmeralda & Talisman make new gypsy music: with violin, guitar, accordion and vocals, the three Russians virtuosically blend modern and traditional Roma sounds into an animated hurricane of music. They artfully combine Bulgarian music with swing jazz by the Sintis. The fiery temperament of tango is transferred to a declaration of love in bossa nova rhythms. The musicians take you on an exciting musical journey across the rich world of the Roma. When Schachlo dances to her fiery music, there is no stopping. – Gypsy Festival 2011

The legendary Gypsy singer ساجده عبيد (Sajeda Obied) from Iraq is hardly known to western audiences despite several million YouTube clicks. The power and beauty of her music lies entirely in her wildly melancholy voice. We are proud to have presented Sajede Obied and her band at the Gypsy Festival 2015. YouTube movies are watched diligently: Sajede Obied on YouTube

The group “Jerez Puro! celebrates the Andalusian temperament and attitude to life: flamenco at its finest! Jorge San Telmo from Jerez and the Zurich native Katja Campanile dance to the music of the gifted flamenco guitarist and singer Miguel Sotelo, accompanied by the world-famous tabla player Amrat Hussain. The quartet “Jerez Puro! and the musicians of the Gypsy Festival develop their own creative flamenco style with oud, trumpet and darabuka.

Fatoumata Dembélé, Griot singer and dancer from Burkina Faso and Mali, has been touring the world with the group Farafina since 1999. At the Gypsy Festival, her vibrating voice is carried by the balafon playing of the Griot musician Mambourou Diarra, the Senegalese kora player Nana Cissokhos, as well as by all the musicians involved in the festival.

Flamenco Ektaal, a sub-formation of SSASSA with Amrat Hussain, Miguel Sotelo and Christian Fotsch, takes you into the fascinating world of the Ecteal, an Indian 12/16 rhythm that Romas brought to Spain many hundred years ago – it is the basis of the Buleria and other flamenco rhythms in 12/16 bars. The journey begins in Andalusia, leads through Skopje and Istanbul, where flamenco rhythms have long enriched Balkan music, to Jajpur in Rajasthan, the cradle of the Roma.

Amrat Hussain has played a key part in shaping the Gypsy Festival since 2005 with his wonderful tabla play and musical ideas. Amrat Huassain on FaceBook

Miguel Sotelo Gallego is also one of the musicians who has played a key part in shaping the Gypsy Festival since 2007 with his wonderful guitar playing and flamenco singing. Miguel Sotelo Gallego on FaceBook

Assala Ibrahim has been performing at the Gypsy Festival since 2003. With her great artistic and dance power, she has repeatedly given the project a new impulse. Assala Ibrahim on FaceBook

Christian Fotsch founded the Oriental & Flamenco Gypsy Festival in 2001. Christan Fotsch on FaceBook

Interview, September 1st, 2011, with Christian Fotsch and Nicole Trossmann

Mr. Fotsch, the largest Gypsy festival in Switzerland has been in existence for 10 years. What is different this year?

The new program stands out with a gala line-up from all previous Gypsy festivals: The Czech Roma singer Ida Kelarova with her eight-piece Gypsy Swing Orchestra will be able to inspire the audience. Esmeralda and “Talisman” from Russia, the flamenco ensemble Juan de Gloria, three fantastic Oriental dancers from Uzbekistan, Tibet and Switzerland as well as the Macedonian-Swiss quintet Ssassa are also present. More than 20 musicians and dancers from 6 nations will offer a raucous celebration.

How did you even come up with the idea of setting up a gypsy festival in this country?

It was an old dream of mine to bring together the diversity of fascinating gypsy cultures in one concert evening, to offer them a platform and to create new fusions together with other groups. What resulted from this every year is magnificent! An experience for which it is definitely worthwhile to leave the good room. They themselves not only initiated the festival, but also – at Ssassa – also played along themselves. A difficult double role?Not at all, I love the challenge. To set up such a festival is hard bone work. But when all 20 artists stand on stage and give one last encore, this means pure joy of life!

How has the festival changed in the 10 years since its inception?

While at the 1st concert in the sold-out Congress House Zurich there was still a lot on shaky feet, the “Oriental & Flamenco Gypsy Festival” has now grown on all levels. Now I am very much looking forward to the new tour, which takes us through 5 Swiss cities.