SCOTLAND'S largest celebration of Roma arts, culture and heritage is set to bring performers and cultural figures from across Europe to Glasgow this weekend.
Ando Glaso Roma Fest will take place across Friday and Saturday with a packed programme of live music, dance, youth events and discussions celebrating Roma culture and Scotland's Roma community.
Founded in 2022, Ando Glaso has grown into Scotland's leading Roma-led arts organisation.
János Lang, creative director of Ando Glaso, said: "The Ando Glaso Roma Fest is much more than a music festival. It is a celebration of Roma culture in all its forms, bringing together internationally acclaimed artists, young performers, educators and communities to share ideas, traditions and creativity.
"From our symposium and Youth Festival to world-class concerts and the late-night After Party, the festival celebrates the richness, diversity and living traditions of Roma culture.
"We're especially proud that, apart from the After Party, the entire festival is free to attend, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience and celebrate Roma arts, culture and heritage with us in Glasgow."
The festival will begin at the University of Glasgow on Friday with a major symposium bringing together Roma leaders, academics, educators and cultural practitioners.
Running from 1pm until 5pm, the free event will examine how greater recognition of Roma culture and heritage could enrich mainstream education and strengthen trust, belonging and participation among Roma children and their families.
Speakers will include Professor Khadija Mohammed, chair of the Scottish Government's Anti-Racism in Education Programme board, and Vicente Rodriguez, a Roma academic and activist and co-director of the University of Washington's Legacies of Empires programme.
Lang, Roma Voice Centre director Aluna Lepadatu and representatives from Roma organisations in Scotland and internationally will also take part.
The festival will then turn to live music from 6.30pm, with performances at the university from Czech Roma singer Natalie Kucharová, Spanish flamenco ensemble TuFlamenco and Hungarian Romani ensemble A. Kovács és a Cigány Karaván.
They will be joined by Duda Band, the festival's resident group featuring Romani musicians primarily from Slovakia and Czechia.
Celebrations will continue on Saturday at Destiny Church in Pollokshaws, beginning with a dedicated Youth Festival from 11am until 4pm.
Young performers from Scotland and beyond will take part in live music, dance, rap and talent showcases alongside interactive activities and workshops.
The festival's main evening programme will then begin at 6pm, headlined by Jázmin, one of Hungary's leading contemporary Roma pop performers.
The singer rose to prominence through X-Faktor and has since attracted millions of views online as well as becoming a presenter on Hungarian Roma television channel Dikh TV.
Scotland's own Ando Glaso Collective will also take to the stage.
The professional Roma ensemble brings together musicians originally from Romania, Czechia, Slovakia and Spain who now call Scotland home, combining different Roma musical traditions while reflecting the country's growing Roma cultural community.
Duda Band will return for the Saturday programme alongside Romanian performers Florin de la Tinca and Marcel de la Lupoaica and emerging ensemble The Lautars.
The celebrations will continue with the festival's official After Party at The Marlborough, featuring live jam sessions, contemporary Roma party music and appearances from festival artists.
Ando Glaso Roma Fest is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Glasgow City Council and Youth Scotland.
