The role model of Zsolt, who grew up in Sepsiszentgyörgy, is the theater company of László Bocsárdi. The company’s epoch-making performances and intimate atmosphere immediately captivated the boy preparing for an acting career. “ I looked up to these actors like gods.”- he says nostalgically. He recounts that after one of the performances, he took courage and talked to them. That's when his dream to be an actor in the Tamási Áron Theater was born. He talks about his experiences in Marosvásárhely at Színművészeti Egyetem and how he got into the thick of alternative theater life in Budapest.  Finally, he talks about her community work, experiences and its aftermath at the Roma settlement in Őrkö.

  Among other things, Slavisa Markovic, who also talks about the development of his passion for theater, seeks answers to these questions. He said his attachment to the theater began as a child in the AG puppet theater, where he was sent by one of his teachers. Identity and interaction with the environment is one of the central themes in his work. In this regard, we can learn more about his form-breaking ideas and why it is important to look at stories from as many perspectives as possible.

  In Nebojsa Markovic’s life, storytelling played a huge role as a community-building force. According to him, storytelling already had been a performative act with expressive mimicry and by bringing the whole being of the narrator into the story. This is how Nebojsa's love of theater developed.  The little boy started writing sociodramas. He was disturbed by the inability of other people to form an identity-independent judgment in his direction. He talks about why he was disturbed at school by the compulsion of her Roma peers to comply and when the value of acceptance regardless of origin developed in his life. We can find out what matters most to him in theater and why he doesn’t have a role model.

The most defining decision of Andrei Serban’s life is the open assumption of roma identity. However, he had to overcome serious obstacles before taking a step in his life as he admitted that he did not dare to take his views until the early twenties. He is currently fighting against racism and stigmatization as a human rights activist. He explains why he is proud to belong to a roma community and why he considers the possibility of creating a roma theater is important. He is enthusiastic about what projects he would implement in the theater. Finally, in connection with a performance, it becomes clear who he sees as his own hero as an example to follow.

For Nicoleta, the desire to prove has always been a determining factor. She wanted to show that a woman can also be a musician.  She talks about what motivated her to perform well in school, the impact of her childhood exclusion, and her experience at a youth theater company. Nicoleta is currently an actor of the Giuvlipen Company. She feels she has achieved what she wanted because she is doing what she loves. We can find out why her aunt is the greatest hero and what she thinks about the role of Roma theater in society.

Does the origin determine future opportunities? What can be done for self-fulfillment? Martha Balážová wanted to be a singer from an early age. Through dedication and perseverance, she was able to achieve her dream. She sincerely talks about how many opportunities have opened up for her in a segregated Moravian territory thanks to her parents conscious decision. She also talks about what she considers important in today’s theatrical life.

Frantisek Balog is the only Roma actor in Slovakia so he has a great responsibility to represent Roma culture. The actor of the Košice State Theater talks about his acting career, his aims, his years in an orphanage and a Roma conservatory. We can find out why he couldn’t fully integrate into the Roma conservatory’s community. He mentions the start of his interest in Roma culture. It also becomes clear why the promotion of Roma theater is so important to him.

  What does trust mean to you? Who do you trust the most and why? Why do we need trust in everyday life at all? What makes someone seem trustworthy? Let’s think about this! I live in Transylvania, Romania. There are quite a few conflicts between different nationalities here. Injustice and prejudice is part of our everyday life and people are likely to look sideways at each other, mostly without any ground. It is difficult to overcome or set aside the entrenched feuds. People here are very colourful and diverse and they sometimes help, other times hinder each other. It did not come as a surprise that I was addressed in Romanian upon leaving the university building. I was only surprised that it was a young boy’s voice, he could not be older than six. He was alone, he wanted to contact his father as they lost each other. He asked for my help to call him on my phone. I readily gave the phone to him and he took a few steps back to dial. My friend, who was standing next to me, was sh...

  What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “hero”? Superheroes with superpowers and cool capes, busy saving New York? I like superhero movies a lot, too, but this story will be different. My hero is a bit closer to home, she comes from a small town, many might not even think she is a hero but she is definitely a hero for me. As a child, when people asked me who I looked up to, who I took as a role model, I immediately listed people in my close surrounding, parents, grandparents or my siblings. A few years went by and when I was asked today: “Who is your hero and why?” she came to my mind immediately, and her story, which explains why I consider her a hero. Judit has been one of my best friends for long years. We got to know each other in high school but we were not very close at first. It is our homeroom teacher I have to thank for our friendship because she told us to sit at the same school desk. We all know how pranks can bring young people toget...

If you had the opportunity to talk to your 15-year-old self, what would you say? What would you say thank you for? What would you warn her about? What qualities would you be proud of? What advice would you give to your younger self? Dear Kinga! I’m writing you this letter because today afternoon we have talked about heroes. I was asked who I consider to be a hero in my life and why. Immediately I wondered if I can be my own hero – why not? This letter is to my 15-year-old self, with lots of love. There are a few things that you don’t know yet (you are good at writing poetry, rollerblading is not for you, it was a great decision to dye your hair) but I do already. And to this very day there are a few things that I learn from you. I know that you like to be comfortable, too, there is something very warm and reassuring in being safe. But this is not enough for you, you leave your comfort zone again and again. You stand up for yourself, for other people, for your principles and truth, for ...

Do we really believe in young people? Do we give them enough space to reach their full potential? What are a disadvantaged youngster’s chances in life? Get to know the story of the students who were left alone because of the virus! How successfully did they study at home? I have been teaching in Füzes Utcai Primary School in Tatabánya for almost a year. I have always considered teaching an exciting challenge, that is why I accepted this task of great responsibility. We had to switch to online education, that is digital courses, during the pandemic. It was a huge burden for the teachers and parents but especially for the children. Lots of students did not give any "sign of life" at the online platforms. We thought that we lost them and they will not return even when classroom-based education starts again. However, in many cases the students’ results have improved – I am not talking about the average of their marks but the actual knowledge that they acquired on the...

Heroes are born when you make a step even though your legs can hardly move. Heroes are born when you stand up and speak out. When you conquer your fears, when you pass the test, when you fight Goliath. When you let something go. Heroes are born when you tell someone: "I'm here for you". When you ask for help, when you bare your soul, when you make a new friend. Heroes are born every day. You may be the next one! The blog entry was written by Kató Klára Fazekas at Independent Theatre Hungary's Roma Heroes workshop.

What are the values that we learned at home? Why is it important in our adult life? How was Independent Theater Hungary founded? What were the initial goals? Rodrigó Balogh, artistic director of Independent Theater Hungary tells about his career as an actor and director as well as about founding his own theatre.

What is the first step in accepting ourselves? What challenges does a Roma actor have to face in theatre? Why is it important to be present in society? Among other things, Joschla Weiss actress shares her ideas on these questions. She speaks with heartfelt honesty about what the biggest challenges were in her life, how she managed to embrace her true self and how she became an actress. "I feel I have to go my way."

About Roma, without Roma? Why is Roma theatre important? What are the qualities and virtues of Roma actors and creators? Why is it important that Roma people also share their stories? A conversation with Simonida Selimovič, a member of Romano Svato company on the biggest challenge she ever had to face, her career, her goals and the importance of Roma theatre. "I felt that I have a mission, I want to be an actress and I want to make my own theatre.” 

How are theatre and art activism connected? Why is it important that the Roma and the non-Roma create art together? What is the work together like and why is it special? David Tišer, the director of the Czech ARA ART Company talks about the establishment of the company, the cooperation between the Roma and the non-Roma, its potentials and how he accepted his own identity.

Whose responsibility is to do against poverty? Who do we expect to settle this problem? Does poverty go hand in hand with social discrimination? Sandra Selimović, the founder of the Romano Svato Company in Vienna opened up frankly about her childhood, poverty, social exclusion and her dreams. What led her to achieve her goal. ’I decided to speak about my own community and how we see the world, therefore we founded our Roma theatre company.’

What do your parents mean to you? Who can you really count on? What would you like to thank them for and how? We have to face several difficulties throughout our life, but there are always people around us who we can count on no matter what happens. I have always believed that it is worth taking advice from people who had been in a similar situation. I consider myself lucky because I had a wonderful childhood with parents who did everything they could for me and my brothers. We were dearly loved while growing up, we had a beautiful life and I will be grateful to them forever. I love my friends – usually I am the odd one out, the only Gypsy girl in every circle of friends but that has never been much of a subject.   My parent's opinion and advice has always been important to me. I wanted them to be proud of me, that is why I decided to graduate from high school, learn a trade and – to my father's delight – obtain a driving license. I have taken their advice, I kne...

What is real perseverance? Have you ever thought about how much your parents do for you day after day? They make decisions and trust that they serve the best interest of the family. Have you ever been in a situation when you had to make an important decision, one that had an impact on other’s life as well? Daddy, I wanna share what’s on my mind Do you remember when I was four-year-old? You and mummy were getting divorced And you got a chance to change your life. Lot more money, respectable work But staying in our town was not among the perks. You asked me how that’d feel? Did I have any doubt? I answered that I didn’t care much for wealth I’d give up easily on holidays or presents Just stay with us! That is all I care about. For your perseverance I must thank you And I wish for all your hopes to come true The blog entry was written by Ákos Fülöp, a participant of Independent Theatre Hungary’s Roma Heroes workshop.  

What is life in a children's home like? Who takes care of the children? What rules shall they obey and how can they bend them? This play, based on the life of František Balog, founder of Actor Theatre in Košice, presents scenes from the morning routine of the children's home where he grew up. Moreover, he tells us about his love life in the foster home and how a piano can hinder this love. The play is hilarious and at the same time conveys an serious message on how important it is to have motivation in life, devote time to ourselves and find our peace. The play was supported by Visegrád Fund and the Slovak Institute. The performance was hosted by RS9 Theatre in Budapest.