Roma Army

The history of the Roma is one of persecution, exclusion and discrimination. The recognition of the genocide carried out by the National Socialists came late. Even today, the Roma are still victims of hate crimes in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany and elsewhere. Anti-Ziganist images are circulated in the media and the debate on supposed poverty-driven immigration continues to stir up resentment. The Maxim Gorki Theater in Berlin wishes to do its part to counter these racist projections of the majority society and make the Roma in artistic works more visible. "Roma Army” was a manifesto, a stage play, a vehicle of self-empowerment and an attack. The idea for the play was conceived by the sisters Simonida and Sandra Selimovic. The two Romanies from Serbia live in Austria and base their actions on the Vienna Group, i.e. situational and actionistic. They have teamed up with the Israeli director Yael Ronen and several Roma actors to develop the play. Following research visits to historic sites and court rooms, where decisions regarding the deportation of Roma families are delivered, the artists have gradually developed the “Roma Army” in a collective rehearsal process.

Artistic director: Yael Ronen (IL)
Artists: Simonida Selimovic (CS), Sandra Selimovic (CS) and others
Dramaturgy: Irina Szodruch