This event has been ended!
Gypsy day (Čavalenky, Pekovci)
Event by: Trenčín 2026
Location: Piano Club, Pod Sokolicami 518, Trenčín
About event
🎶 In cooperation with the World Music Festival Bratislava, we invite you to experience an evening with Roma music, at which Pekovci and Čavalenky will perform.
Roma music forms an important part not only of the Slovak, but also of the world music scene. When Roma music is mentioned, almost everyone imagines something. Some rousing dance "bashavel", others cheesy songs that were played by cafe musicians in the past, or Rom pop. What is contemporary Roma music like - both traditional and modern? The event will offer concerts of various genres, workshops of dance, singing and a real bash for everyone.
📍 The Roma music event has a strong regional dimension, as it represents local talents, such as Pekovci from Bardejov, who draw on traditional Roma songs, dance and musical culture of Slovakia. The international dimension lies in the fact that Roma music, which combines traditional motifs with modern genres such as gypsy jazz or Rom pop, is an important part of the world music scene. The presentation of these genres allows the Slovak audience to experience musical performances that resonate in an international context, and supports the dialogue between traditional Roma roots and current musical trends in the world. music from eastern Slovakia. The basis of the band is the brothers Maroš Šivák (double bass) and Ján Šivák (dulcimer) from Zborov. They chose the name of the group after the nickname of their father Ján Šivák the elder ("Peka"), their first music teacher. The brothers have been working together for a long time with another great musician - violinist Jozef Žolták. Members of the group include viola player Filip Kanaloš and accordionist Marek Haluška.
Although the musicians have their instruments divided in the group, many of them are multi-instrumentalists who, in addition to playing with the Pekovci, also perform in other bands or collaborate with local folklore groups. An important part of creating a repertoire is not only family traditions, but also playing at weddings, celebrations, dance parties or other occasions in Bardejov and its surroundings. Their musical language was influenced not only by practice and official musical education, but also by a deep immersion in the regional musical tradition. All members of the group know very well and perfectly represent the mastery of their ancestors - representatives of the Roma musical dynasties from Horné Šariš.
🎤 ČAVALENKY
Rudolf Danihel aka Čavalenky comes from Holíč in Záhorí and in his work he devotes himself to socially oriented rap. He started writing his first lyrics at the age of eight, but today he is over thirty. They do not aim their music at any particular social class. He raps for everyone, regardless of religion, race or opinion. He is inspired by stories from the lives of homeless people, people addicted to drugs and politics.
He is grateful and happy to be surrounded by people who support him and to be able to perform in the media space and on stages that he once only dreamed of. Today, his songs have tens of thousands of views on YouTube. The biggest support for him is his family and fans. His language is Zahorach.
On the scene, he is rather a solitaire who watches over the fate of the weak and the destroyed and helps them mainly by sending messages about them. His music is not only about excellent materials and original speech, but also about the power of the statement and perhaps also about a positive example or lesson for others.
At concerts, Čavalenky performs with the group Romano Rat, which also includes DJ Hallabeat and rapper Vandal. Producer Zmatek takes care of their clips. Čavalenky is half Roma, but he doesn't like being called a Roma rapper. He finds this label as strange as calling someone a white rapper. He does not accept labeling people on the basis of race, which does not mean that he avoids his roots. His goal was to point out the harsh reality and problems of ordinary people. With it, Čavalenky confirms the status of one of the most persistent and authentic figures of Slovak rap.
✅ Entry to the event is free, but registration is required: https://inviton.eu/e-20949/gypsy-day
Gypsy day (Čavalenky, Pekovci) financially supported The city of Trenčín and the Trenčín self-governing region and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The project partner is the European Union.
📸 Photo and video recordings will be made at the event, which will be published later.
#AjNasPodporujeTSK #AjNasPodporujeMestoTrencin #AjNasPodporujeMinisterstvoKultury #AjNasPodporujeEU #Trencin2026
🎶 In collaboration with the World Music Festival Bratislava, we invite you to experience an evening of Roma music featuring Pekovci and Čavalenky.
Roma music is an important part of not only the Slovak but also the global music scene. When people hear "Roma music," almost everyone imagines something different — for some it's an energetic dance "bašavel," for others melancholic songs once played by café musicians, or Rom pop. What does contemporary Roma music sound like today — traditional or modern? This event offers concerts across genres, dance and singing workshops, and a proper bashavel for everyone.
📍 The event has a strong regional dimension, presenting local talents such as Pekovci from Bardejov, who draw from traditional Roma songs, dance, and Slovak musical culture. At the same time, it has an international reach — Roma music, blending traditional motifs with modern genres like gypsy jazz or Rom pop, is a significant part of the global music scene. Showcasing these genres allows audiences to experience music that resonates internationally and supports dialogue between traditional Roma roots and contemporary global trends.
🎻 PEKOVCI
The cimbalom band Pekovci is currently one of the most prominent cimbalom ensembles in eastern Slovakia.
Pekovci are among the most sought-after folk cimbalom bands from eastern Slovakia today. The core of the group consists of brothers Maroš Šivák (double bass) and Ján Šivák (dulcimer) from Zborov. The band's name comes from the nickname of their father, Ján Šivák Sr. ("Peka"), who was also their first music teacher. The brothers collaborate long-term with outstanding violinist Jozef Žolták. Other members include violist Filip Kanaloš and accordionist Marek Haluška.
Although each musician has their main instrument, many of them are multi-instrumentalists who also perform with other bands or collaborate with local folklore groups. Their repertoire is shaped not only by family traditions but also by playing at weddings, celebrations, dance events, and other occasions in Bardejov and its surroundings. Their musical language reflects both formal musical education and a deep immersion in regional traditions. All members carry forward and represent the mastery of their predecessors — Roma musical dynasties from the Upper Šariš region.
🎤 ČAVALENKY
Rudolf Danihel, known as Čavalenky, comes from Holíč in the Záhorie region and focuses on socially conscious rap. He started writing lyrics at the age of eight and is now in his thirties. His music is not aimed at any specific social group — he creates rap for everyone, regardless of religion, race, or opinions. His inspiration comes from stories of people experiencing homelessness, drug addiction, as well as politics.
He is grateful to be surrounded by supportive people and to perform on stages he once only dreamed of. Today, his songs have tens of thousands of views on YouTube. His biggest support comes from his family and fans. He performs in the Záhorie dialect.
On the scene, he stands as a solitary artist who reflects on the lives of the vulnerable and marginalized, giving them a voice through his music. His work is not only about strong beats and a unique style, but also about powerful messages and offering perspective or inspiration to others.
At concerts, Čavalenky performs with the group Romano Rat, featuring DJ Hallabeat and rapper Vandal, with producer Zmatek behind their video production. Although he is half Roma, he does not like being labeled as a "Roma rapper," seeing such labels as unnecessary. This does not mean he rejects his roots — rather, he refuses to define people by ethnicity.
His album Zadližený was created over the past three years during a period of so-called silence. Its aim is to highlight the harsh realities and struggles of everyday people. With this album, Čavalenky confirms his position as one of the most persistent and authentic voices in Slovak rap.
✅ Entry to the event is free, but registration is required: https://inviton.eu/e-20949/gypsy-day
The Gypsy Day event (Čavalenky, Pekovci) is financially supported by the City of Trenčín, the Trenčín Self-Governing Region, and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The project partner is the European Union.
📸 Photo and video recordings will be made during the event and may be published later.
Roma music forms an important part not only of the Slovak, but also of the world music scene. When Roma music is mentioned, almost everyone imagines something. Some rousing dance "bashavel", others cheesy songs that were played by cafe musicians in the past, or Rom pop. What is contemporary Roma music like - both traditional and modern? The event will offer concerts of various genres, workshops of dance, singing and a real bash for everyone.
📍 The Roma music event has a strong regional dimension, as it represents local talents, such as Pekovci from Bardejov, who draw on traditional Roma songs, dance and musical culture of Slovakia. The international dimension lies in the fact that Roma music, which combines traditional motifs with modern genres such as gypsy jazz or Rom pop, is an important part of the world music scene. The presentation of these genres allows the Slovak audience to experience musical performances that resonate in an international context, and supports the dialogue between traditional Roma roots and current musical trends in the world. music from eastern Slovakia. The basis of the band is the brothers Maroš Šivák (double bass) and Ján Šivák (dulcimer) from Zborov. They chose the name of the group after the nickname of their father Ján Šivák the elder ("Peka"), their first music teacher. The brothers have been working together for a long time with another great musician - violinist Jozef Žolták. Members of the group include viola player Filip Kanaloš and accordionist Marek Haluška.
Although the musicians have their instruments divided in the group, many of them are multi-instrumentalists who, in addition to playing with the Pekovci, also perform in other bands or collaborate with local folklore groups. An important part of creating a repertoire is not only family traditions, but also playing at weddings, celebrations, dance parties or other occasions in Bardejov and its surroundings. Their musical language was influenced not only by practice and official musical education, but also by a deep immersion in the regional musical tradition. All members of the group know very well and perfectly represent the mastery of their ancestors - representatives of the Roma musical dynasties from Horné Šariš.
🎤 ČAVALENKY
Rudolf Danihel aka Čavalenky comes from Holíč in Záhorí and in his work he devotes himself to socially oriented rap. He started writing his first lyrics at the age of eight, but today he is over thirty. They do not aim their music at any particular social class. He raps for everyone, regardless of religion, race or opinion. He is inspired by stories from the lives of homeless people, people addicted to drugs and politics.
He is grateful and happy to be surrounded by people who support him and to be able to perform in the media space and on stages that he once only dreamed of. Today, his songs have tens of thousands of views on YouTube. The biggest support for him is his family and fans. His language is Zahorach.
On the scene, he is rather a solitaire who watches over the fate of the weak and the destroyed and helps them mainly by sending messages about them. His music is not only about excellent materials and original speech, but also about the power of the statement and perhaps also about a positive example or lesson for others.
At concerts, Čavalenky performs with the group Romano Rat, which also includes DJ Hallabeat and rapper Vandal. Producer Zmatek takes care of their clips. Čavalenky is half Roma, but he doesn't like being called a Roma rapper. He finds this label as strange as calling someone a white rapper. He does not accept labeling people on the basis of race, which does not mean that he avoids his roots. His goal was to point out the harsh reality and problems of ordinary people. With it, Čavalenky confirms the status of one of the most persistent and authentic figures of Slovak rap.
✅ Entry to the event is free, but registration is required: https://inviton.eu/e-20949/gypsy-day
Gypsy day (Čavalenky, Pekovci) financially supported The city of Trenčín and the Trenčín self-governing region and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The project partner is the European Union.
📸 Photo and video recordings will be made at the event, which will be published later.
#AjNasPodporujeTSK #AjNasPodporujeMestoTrencin #AjNasPodporujeMinisterstvoKultury #AjNasPodporujeEU #Trencin2026
🎶 In collaboration with the World Music Festival Bratislava, we invite you to experience an evening of Roma music featuring Pekovci and Čavalenky.
Roma music is an important part of not only the Slovak but also the global music scene. When people hear "Roma music," almost everyone imagines something different — for some it's an energetic dance "bašavel," for others melancholic songs once played by café musicians, or Rom pop. What does contemporary Roma music sound like today — traditional or modern? This event offers concerts across genres, dance and singing workshops, and a proper bashavel for everyone.
📍 The event has a strong regional dimension, presenting local talents such as Pekovci from Bardejov, who draw from traditional Roma songs, dance, and Slovak musical culture. At the same time, it has an international reach — Roma music, blending traditional motifs with modern genres like gypsy jazz or Rom pop, is a significant part of the global music scene. Showcasing these genres allows audiences to experience music that resonates internationally and supports dialogue between traditional Roma roots and contemporary global trends.
🎻 PEKOVCI
The cimbalom band Pekovci is currently one of the most prominent cimbalom ensembles in eastern Slovakia.
Pekovci are among the most sought-after folk cimbalom bands from eastern Slovakia today. The core of the group consists of brothers Maroš Šivák (double bass) and Ján Šivák (dulcimer) from Zborov. The band's name comes from the nickname of their father, Ján Šivák Sr. ("Peka"), who was also their first music teacher. The brothers collaborate long-term with outstanding violinist Jozef Žolták. Other members include violist Filip Kanaloš and accordionist Marek Haluška.
Although each musician has their main instrument, many of them are multi-instrumentalists who also perform with other bands or collaborate with local folklore groups. Their repertoire is shaped not only by family traditions but also by playing at weddings, celebrations, dance events, and other occasions in Bardejov and its surroundings. Their musical language reflects both formal musical education and a deep immersion in regional traditions. All members carry forward and represent the mastery of their predecessors — Roma musical dynasties from the Upper Šariš region.
🎤 ČAVALENKY
Rudolf Danihel, known as Čavalenky, comes from Holíč in the Záhorie region and focuses on socially conscious rap. He started writing lyrics at the age of eight and is now in his thirties. His music is not aimed at any specific social group — he creates rap for everyone, regardless of religion, race, or opinions. His inspiration comes from stories of people experiencing homelessness, drug addiction, as well as politics.
He is grateful to be surrounded by supportive people and to perform on stages he once only dreamed of. Today, his songs have tens of thousands of views on YouTube. His biggest support comes from his family and fans. He performs in the Záhorie dialect.
On the scene, he stands as a solitary artist who reflects on the lives of the vulnerable and marginalized, giving them a voice through his music. His work is not only about strong beats and a unique style, but also about powerful messages and offering perspective or inspiration to others.
At concerts, Čavalenky performs with the group Romano Rat, featuring DJ Hallabeat and rapper Vandal, with producer Zmatek behind their video production. Although he is half Roma, he does not like being labeled as a "Roma rapper," seeing such labels as unnecessary. This does not mean he rejects his roots — rather, he refuses to define people by ethnicity.
His album Zadližený was created over the past three years during a period of so-called silence. Its aim is to highlight the harsh realities and struggles of everyday people. With this album, Čavalenky confirms his position as one of the most persistent and authentic voices in Slovak rap.
✅ Entry to the event is free, but registration is required: https://inviton.eu/e-20949/gypsy-day
The Gypsy Day event (Čavalenky, Pekovci) is financially supported by the City of Trenčín, the Trenčín Self-Governing Region, and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The project partner is the European Union.
📸 Photo and video recordings will be made during the event and may be published later.