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This site is dedicated to the people of Romania, their beautiful country, culture, music and dancing.

Romania is a jewel of a nation in the East of Europe with a fascinating history. It has breathtaking landscapes with picturesque mountain ranges,  meadows and romantic towns. Ah…and Bucharest. How I would love to be there to sit for a while in a coffee house and then go to listen to music or see some folk dancing.

Tes, Romania is a much blessed country. It has beautiful cities and country roads that lead you to high mountains or down to picturesque valleys and rivers. The Romanians that I've met have been charming and well spoken. That is surely not a surprise as this nation must be one of the oldest and most well established in Europe. Its language immediately reveals its millenia of proud heritage.

No wonder that the sons and daughters of this land have reached the highest levels in sport, art, dancing, singing and music. The country's scientists, engineers, writers, poets and, of course, composers have added to the world's precious treasure house.

I would be delighted to hear from Romanians and East Europeans who will tell us all about how proud they are of their country and about some of the achievements of their people.

But there's something else. I want to thank all Romanians for one supreme act of unforgettable compassion. Having no home, no Heimat, is one of the greatest sufferings that a nation can endure. Each community wants ... in fact, desparately needs...to know where it can settle down and be...really be...whatever it stands for.

Romania...I salute you and lift a glass of red wine in your honour. You gave a home to people almost doomed to be eternal wanderers. Those, who through no fault of their own, were condemned, like the Flying Dutchman, to travel on and on. You accepted the Romany people and even  graciously embraced some of their customs. I am neither Romanaian nor Roma but I find it impossible not to applaud you.

Many people keep a picture of a special place, somewhere deep down inside of them. It’s usually a place where they know that they will be spiritually and emotionally fulfilled. For some, it’s a secret garden with shady trees and colourful flowers. For me, it is always a place where there is music, song and dancing. That's why the Romany people have a special place in my heart. But I know that it is not easy to love all Romany people all of the time. This should not come as a surprise.

The origins of this group go back to millenia ago. To a time when they were successfully living their own lives. There were several levels of people living in harmony together in their home country.  They ranged from brilliant and highly educated aristocrats, admired by the Greeks more than 2000 years ago to a less gifted servant class from another region of India.. When they were captured by the Persians and  made slaves, they were all treated as one tribe regardless of their social status and their creative spirits. Perhaps that is why the Gypsies of today are not easy to sum up. And that is why some people of Gypsy stock are of noble stock while others are not so considered..   

This work of mine on this site, began as an exciting adventure. In the end it was not only exciting but most rewarding. I learned how music, song and dance can be timeless and range far across man made borders. I learned that whether West or East of Romania, different forms of Roma  music, song and dance can be found in different countries from Ireland, Spain through Romania and Hungary all the way to the North of India. These countries are thousands of miles apart but through their music and style runs a thread that cannot be found anywhere else. It's a thread that includes a type of colourful yet modest clothes and ways of showing rare beauty in the singing, dancing and music composing.

For all this spirit of life, I thank the Romany people.  For the greatest of compassion, I thank the Romanian people. You have all brought us centuries of a kind of joy not to be found anywhere else.