Embassy-Supported Music Camp for Roma Culminates in Singing Competition in Lučenec

August 28, 2008

A two-week summer camp for Roma children, supported by the U.S. Embassy, ended with a singing contest August 27 in Lučenec. The children attending the camp ranged in age from 8 to 20 and trained with professional musicians in preparation for the competition that took place at the Lučenec town theater. In the competition, called “Rómsky hlások,” each child sang two popular songs. Simon R. Hankinson, Consul of the U.S. Embassy, was on hand to help give prizes to the winners. Mr. Hankinson reported that the young performers were impressive: hearing rhythm and blues and soul sung with such feeling by Roma teens still learning English was a thrill, he said.  A young man named Ferenc Genya -- whose voice Mr. Hankinson described as “powerful” -- was the winner of Rómsky hlások.  The female singers performed renditions of American popular songs, including some by Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey.