The Día Internacional del Pueblo Gitano (International Romani Day) is celebrated annually on April 8th to honour the history, culture, and contributions of the Romani people, while also raising awareness about the challenges they continue to face. 

Nerja will commemorate the 5th Edition of the International Day of the Roma People on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th April, with a full programme of cultural activities celebrating the deep historical, artistic and social influence of the Roma community.

On Friday 10th April at 20:00, the Cultural Centre Villa de Nerja will host the International Day of the Roma People Gala, which has become one of the most prominent events of this celebration in the town. During the evening, the Roma anthem “Gelem Gelem” will be performed by Chonchi Heredia, accompanied by Alba Heredia (dance), Rubén Campo (guitar), and Cheyene (percussion). Entry is by invitation, which can be collected from the Cultural Centre box office.

The programme continues on Saturday 11th April at 19:00 at the Nerja Museum, with the conference-concert “The Roma Legacy in Flamenco: Bulería as a Cultural Symbol” — a unique event combining informative discussion with live artistic performance. Entry is free until full capacity is reached.

The conference will feature Belén Heredia and Gonzalo Peña as speakers, while the musical performance will include Alfonso Carpio (vocals), Alejandro Estrada (guitar), and Marina Aranda (dance), offering a live demonstration of the essential role of the Roma community in the evolution of flamenco.

Place: Nerja Cultural Centre, Calle Granada 45 & Nerja Museum