Ando Glaso Roma Fest - Symposium University of Glasgow

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Ando Glaso Roma Fest – Symposium University of Glasgow

Friday 4 September, 2026, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

32 University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ

A major free-to-attend symposium presented by Ando Glaso (Scotland’s leading Roma-led arts organisation) and facilitated by the Roma Rights Forum is taking place at University of Glasgow from 1-5pm this Friday 4 September, as part of Ando Glaso Roma Fest, Scotland’s largest celebration of Roma arts, culture and heritage.

This dynamic symposium will bring together Roma leaders, academics, educators and cultural practitioners, to examine how cultural recognition can enrich mainstream education and strengthen trust, belonging and participation among Roma children and families.

The symposium takes place from 1-5pm and will focus on discussion and shared experiences. Participants will examine how traditional knowledge, oral histories, music, dance, language, and cultural practices can foster more inclusive, diverse, and culturally responsive learning environments.

Speakers

Speakers include Vicente Rodriguez, Roma academic and activist and Co-Director of the University of Washington’s Legacies of Empires programme; Professor Khadija Mohammed, Chair of the Scottish Government’s Anti-Racism in Education Programme board; Janos Lang, Creative Director of Ando Glaso; Dr Jeff Sanders, Head of Outreach at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; Aluna Lepadatu, Director of Roma Voice Centre; Mihai Oancea, President of ternYpe International Roma Youth Network; and Aleksandar Gavrilovic, founder and board member of the Roma Intelligence & Administration Agency.

Live Music

The event will also feature a post-symposium programme of live music from 6.30pm, with performances by Czech Roma singer Natalie Kucharová, the vibrant Spanish flamenco ensemble TuFlamenco, celebrated Hungarian Romani ensemble A. Kovács és a Cigány Karaván, and Ando Glaso Roma Fest’s resident band, Duda Band, featuring outstanding Romani musicians primarily from Slovakia and Czechia.

Reserve at spot at Eventbrite

Saturday 5 September, 2026 at Destiny Church, Pollokshaws

Ando Glaso Roma Fest continues at Destiny Church, Pollokshaws on Saturday 5 September, featuring internationally renowned performers alongside Scotland’s own Ando Glaso Collective, a dedicated Youth Festival celebrating the next generation of Roma talent.

The Youth Festival runs from 11am-4pm and brings together young performers from across Scotland and beyond, with a programme of live music, dance, rap, talent showcases and a range of interactive activities throughout the day. Whether performing on stage or taking part in creative workshops and games, the event offers a fun, welcoming space for young people to connect, celebrate their heritage and inspire one another.

The evening concerts begin at 6pm, and leading this year’s international programme is Jázmin, one of Hungary’s biggest contemporary Roma pop stars. Since rising to national prominence on X-Faktor, she has become one of the country’s leading Roma artists, amassing millions of online views and becoming a familiar face as a presenter on Hungary’s Roma television channel, Dikh TV.

She will be joined by a flagship musical performance from The Ando Glaso Collective, Scotland’s leading professional Roma ensemble, bringing together acclaimed musicians from Romania, Czechia, Slovakia and Spain who now call Scotland home. Their performances celebrate the diversity and evolution of Roma musical traditions while reflecting Scotland’s growing Roma cultural community.

The evening programme also features performances from this year’s resident musicians Duda Band, renowned across Central Europe for their authentic Roma music and high-energy Gypsy party sets, alongside celebrated Romanian performers Florin de la Tinca și Marcel de la Lupoaica, and emerging Romanian ensemble The Lautars.

The celebrations continue into the evening with the festival’s official After Party at The Marlborough, where audiences can enjoy live jam sessions, contemporary Roma party music and performances alongside many of the festival’s artists.

Free events – For the full programme and tickets.

Ando Glaso Roma Fest is proudly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Glasgow City Council and Youth Scotland.