Bizoagor started as a joint project of the Holland-based “Roma Emancipatie” foundation, “Parne Gadje” orchestra and Romany NGO “Rromano Vas”, from the Municipality of Šuto Orizari (also known as Šutka), Skopje, Macedonia. To date, after the closing down of the “Roma Emancipatie” foundation, Bizoagor is incorporated in the foundation “Rootsmuziek”, domiciled in Wageningen, The Netherlands. “Rromano Vas”is now called “Kham Sijan”.
In 1998 Gjuner Abdula wrote a collection of poetry in the Romany language and published it with a Dutch translation alongside, thus creating what might very well have been the first bilingual book of its kind in Holland. Alongside his many activities as an activist for the Romany people he used to recite his poetry at festivals and manifestations.
Inspired by the poetry as well as Gjuner’s appearance and voice, Marc Constandse of the “Parne Gadje” orchestra had the idea to put Gjuner’s words to music and invited him to record him reciting his poetry. While working on the project the notion came about to use the proceeds of the album sales to form a fundraising platform for the printing of school books in the Romany language for the impoverished settlements and ghettos of former Yugoslavia. The album turned out beautifully and the first book has been published. How this all came
Inspired by Bizoagor, Romany poet Ali Gjuneš recorded his as well as other people’s work accompanied by local musicians. The album was recorded in Šutka and co-funded by Bizoagor and the UNHCR. It contains some of the poetry from the book and we are proud to support the work of this extraordinary man. This CD is not for sale, it is strictly for promotional purposes. If you are interested in this CD, you may contact Gjuner Abdula at: g.abdula@hotmail.com.
A giro account has been opened to manage the funding. Donations can be made to:
Giro number 9314539, in the name of Rootsmuziek - Bizoagor,
Lawickse Allee 66, 6707AK Wageningen, the Netherlands.
