"Getting the jive" in Jarovnice. (source: Courtesy of Divé Maky)
THE PRO Donum civic association sponsored the first dance workshop for ‘Divé maky’ at the Special Elementary School in Jarovnice on February 20, led by professional dancer Ladislav Cmorej.
The workshop was attended by 36 children who last November passed ‘talent tests’ as part of ‘Divé maky – šanca pre rómske talenty z celého Slovenska’ (Wild Poppies – a chance for Roma talents from across Slovakia). Another dance workshop will take place here in March.
“I know these children are dynamic and full of life but I did not expect such an extremely high level … they are eager to do everything – but it is necessary to improve their concentration,” Cmorej said after the workshop. After last year’s talent tests, 100 children from the Roma community in Jarovnice were selected for the program. In addition to artistic and sport activities for the children, each child has a tutor who cooperates with his or her family and checks that duties at school and within the Divé maky program are fulfilled.
Ladislav Cmorej is a trained teacher but for eleven years has been dancing professionally and has performed in the musicals Dracula, Cyrano z predmestia, and Rebelové, in pieces staged by the Slovak National Theatre, and in modern dance projects. He choreographed several shows such as Tri prasiatka (at Aréna Theatre) and Macbeth (in Martin). In addition to his work as a member of the dance group Spin, he agreed to be the choreographer and teacher for this project.
The Wild Poppies programme was started in 2005 and supports and promotes the development of talented Roma children. It is financed by the European Economic Community, Norway and the Slovak state budget.
