Last night we went to a concert of four bands with the queen of the gypsies headlining. Esma Redzepova is the queen. Her and her husband fostered many children. She works for equality and recognition of Roma culture which is what this gypsy festival is all about. She was once nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. And that woman can wail!! Last Thanksgiving we spent with friends in France where we met Uri, who is making documentary films of gypsies. He was on his way to Switzerland the next day to interview Esma. Now we know who she is. The gypsy festival has not had much of a turnout overall, though the concert was quite full. Music is the most important thing to the Romas. It is most desirable to be a musician, better than the doctors or lawyers that are esteemed in the mainstream culture. The Roma people do not have an easy time in the Czech Republic, like much of Europe. They have segregated housing and schools. The Romas have trouble getting jobs and are not always served at restaurants. We have been to two exhibit openings at museums this week in which their art work and culture is finally being recognized here. We also went to the traditional dress parade downtown which was nice, but incredibly small with both very few paraders and very few spectators.