Roma Rock School fights discrimination in North Macedonia

The echoes of crunchy guitar riffs pierce the air, shattering the silence surrounding discrimination in North Macedonia.

The Roma Rock School emerges as a harmonious haven, uniting children of diverse backgrounds to jam, learn, and bridge deep-seated divisions in this Balkan nation.

Founded on the principle of dismantling stereotypes through music, the school provides free courses in music theory, instrument and voice classes, and rehearsal spaces for aspiring young talents.

Co-founder Alvin Salimovski states, “Music is the functional and effective way to break barriers, something we’ve proven over the years.”

A focal point for the school is reaching out to children from Skopje’s predominantly Roma neighborhood, Suto Orizari, where poverty and limited opportunities persist.

Despite being the traditional source of musicians for weddings, feasts, and funerals, the Roma community faces exclusion from formal arts education, with only 13 ethnic Roma graduating from the University of Skopje’s Faculty of Music since 1966.

“At this moment, we work with mixed bands of Roma and Macedonian children, but we are open,” Salimovski asserts. “One of our goals is making music with bands of different ethnicities.”

Currently engaging around 60 students aged 10 to 19, the Roma Rock School offers instruction in various instruments, fostering the creation of mixed bands that not only cover popular songs but also compose original pieces infused with traditional Roma influences.

Nevrus Bajram, the school’s music director and guitarist for the popular hardcore metal band Smut, shares his expertise in a makeshift studio filled with an array of instruments.

The unconventional teacher-student relationship emphasizes breaking down barriers, aiming to fulfill a mission and vision for lasting happiness.

Beyond the classroom, the lessons extend to annual performances at festivals, participation in summer schools, and collaborations with similar organizations.

An active partnership with the Mitrovica Rock School in Kosovo showcases the power of unity as Roma, Macedonian, Albanian, and Serb students join forces in musical harmony.

For 16-year-old Gjulizar Kadri, the Roma Rock School has paved the way for newfound friendships and a surge in creativity.

“We make new songs. I feel good and comfortable,” expresses Kadri, the vocalist for the band Right Turn.

“It is about friendships, music, and learning new things.”