Since its founding in 2005, the New York Gypsy Festival has become a premier platform for celebrating the vibrant sounds and traditions of Romani, Balkan, and world music. Conceived by cultural curators Serdar İlhan and Mehmet Dede, the festival quickly established itself as a unique event in the heart of New York City, bringing together artists from across the globe to share their voices, stories, and rhythms.
From its earliest days, the festival showcased both legendary icons—such as Ivo Papazov, Fanfare Ciocarlia and Hüsnü Şenlendirici—and fresh, innovative ensembles like the New York Gypsy All Stars, who were born out of the festival’s spirit of collaboration. Each edition has highlighted the diversity of Gypsy music: from fiery Balkan brass and soulful Turkish clarinet to flamenco guitars, klezmer, and genre-bending fusions that push musical boundaries.
Over the years, the festival has grown into a multi-venue celebration, featuring concerts at some of New York’s most iconic stages, late-night dance parties, and even music cruises. In twenty years, the festival has presented nearly 150 artists from over 30 countries, including performers from Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, Romania, Spain, India, Turkey, and more.
The ethos of the festival is simple yet powerful: to bring cultures into one room. In a city as diverse as New York, the festival embodies the belief that music has no borders, creating a space where traditions meet modernity and audiences from all backgrounds come together in celebration. Over the years, the NYGF has platformed such international icons as Juan Carmona, Hüsnü Şenlendirici, Boban Markovic Orchestra, Fanfare Ciocărlia, Mahala Rai Band, Rajasthani Gypsy Caravan, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, and Ivo Popasov; as well as homegrown NYC favorites such as Gogol Bordello, Stephane Wrembel, Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Zlatne Uste Brass Band, and Balkan Beat Box.
Today, the NY Gypsy Festival stands not just as a concert series, but as a cultural landmark, continuing to amplify voices of heritage, resilience, and joy—reminding us that music is one of the world’s greatest bridges.