Gates of the Soul

An interview with Diego El Gavi

Abstract

This interview, conducted within the CIGA.A.MÚSICA project (BIP/ZIP 2024 Programme, Lisbon City Council), was carried out by Vanessa Lopes with musician and cultural mediator Diego El Gavi. Its aim is to document, from an ethnographic perspective, the artistic-musical practices of Cigano/Roma communities, valuing them as intangible cultural heritage. In the conversation, Diego El Gavi shares his journey from flamenco to his Roma roots, the role of resilience in the face of prejudice, his dual exposure as both artist and mediator at the Sintra City Council, and the power of music and art to break down stereotypes and stigmas linked to Roma identity, within a political context marked by growing distrust and polarisation.