Teacher fights discrimination against the Roma people, one Elvis song at a time

BUCHAREST, Romania — Tudor Lakatos is on a mission to combat discrimination against the Roma community through the power of music.

Dressed in a flashy rhinestone shirt and iconic oversized sunglasses, Lakatos captivates audiences in Romania with his unique renditions of classic Elvis Presley songs like “Blue Suede Shoes.”

However, Lakatos prefers not to be labeled as an Elvis impersonator. Instead, he sees himself as a vessel for spreading the universal appeal of the King of rock ‘n’ roll to challenge stereotypes about the Roma community and serve as a positive role model for Roma youth.

“I never had dreams of performing on stage, that was never my goal,” shared Lakatos, 58, following a recent performance in Bucharest. “My only desire was to build bridges with the Romanian people and put an end to the derogatory term ‘Gypsy’ used to refer to the Roma community,” he added.

The Roma population, with origins in South Asia, has faced persecution and discrimination in Eastern Europe for centuries, often being associated with poverty, unemployment, and crime. In Romania, where approximately 7% of the population is Roma, a significant portion report experiencing discrimination, as per a recent EU survey.

Lakatos’ journey to challenge these prejudices began in the 1980s during his time as an art student under Romania’s communist regime led by Nicolae Ceausescu.

In a period where anti-Roma bias was prevalent, Lakatos discovered that performing Elvis songs not only helped him connect with ethnic Romanian peers but also served as a symbol of defiance against the oppressive government.

Fast forward four decades, and Lakatos has expanded his audience.

As a school teacher for the past 25 years, Lakatos uses music to inspire his students in a rural village in northwestern Romania, showing them that they can aspire to more than their current circumstances.

“The term ‘Gypsy’ is often used as a derogatory label,” Lakatos remarked. “While we, the older generation, may have grown accustomed to it, we must unite to educate the next generation, regardless of the names we are called,” he emphasized.

Despite his teaching commitments, Lakatos continues to travel across the country to perform at various venues, both big and small.

One summer evening, Lakatos entertained a crowd at Terasa Florilor in Bucharest, known for its live music and traditional Romanian dishes. Audience members enjoyed Lakatos’ unique “Rock ’n’ Rom” show, featuring Elvis hits sung in Romani, Romanian, and English.

Lakatos’ diverse language mix sometimes leads to amusing translations, especially for the younger audience unfamiliar with Elvis’ 1950s slang. For instance, “Don’t step on my blue suede shoes” is adapted by Lakatos to a more relatable “don’t step on my bare feet.”

It’s a message that resonates with Elvis, who rose from humble beginnings in Mississippi during the Great Depression, and one that Lakatos continues to champion through his music.