Karavan Familia
- more than folklore...
karavan familia
4 voices, 3 generations, 2 cultures, 1 family
The Karavan Familia, a unique family band formed by parents and their children in 2004, has created its own world in recent years in the wake of Gipsy vocal traditions. With their repertoire, they proved that Gipsy music is intelligent and witty, wise and inclusive. The source of their melodies is not a region or a Roma ethnic group, but the cultural and musical heritage of the Gipsies in Europe. In addition to the various, typical European Gipsy music styles, the atmosphere of Latin music, blues or pop music can be felt in their songs – all of which gave birth to world-music that has never been heard before. In addition to diversity, however, the Karavan Familia is able to retainits own style, which is both youthful and respectful of tradition, fun and lovable.
The basis of their inimitable orchestral sound is the polyphony of 4 vocals, which, supplemented by two instruments (guitar, bass guitar), convey a harmony from which nothing is missing. On the stage, where 3 generations stand before the audience, we can gain a glimpse into the life of a family, we can be part of their story. The parents, the children and the oldest grandchild preserve and keep alive the valuable traditions of 2 cultures, as the Gipsy and Hungarian cultural traditions are decisive in the life of the Karaván Família. They also sing their songs in the Gipsy and Hungarian languages, emphasizing that both cultures are equally important to them. They do all this as 1 family, the power of love and harmony are an essential part of the special radiance that emanates from the Karavan Familia.
They have toured Europe for the past 20 years with their concerts. Karavan Familia is regular guest at the hungarian clubs, festivals and events. They have collaborated with performers such as Boban Markovic, Kálmán Balogh or Veronika Harcsa. Starting from Gipsy folk music, Karavan Familia boldly uses and combines different musical styles, making them easily accessible.
Change and constancy – these two concepts best characterize the musical world of Karavan Familia, which has been operating for more than 20 years. Constancy in terms of the Gipsy cultural traditions, in which their songs are deeply rooted, and change in terms of continuous renewal, as the family’s definite goal since the beginning has been to develop an independent repertoire, with individual arrangements, their own compositions, and an instrumentation and soundscape that are unique to them.
Although music is their lifeblood, they also have a civilian occupation, which can be considered more of a profession. Father and daughter, Niki, work in the media (Duna Television and Kossuth Radio) to widely introduce Gipsy culture and Gipsy traditional values. István also chose an art-related career, working in an international film production agency, where creativity is equally essential. The younger daughter, Vanda, is still a student, and Ica provides the warmth of the family as a full-time wife, mother, and grandmother. His profession is the most valuable and important of all.
Niki’s little son, Milánka, has been on stage since he was one and a half years old, where he can absorb the Gipsy melodies, the instruments, music and dance are a homely environment for him. His musicality and interest allow him to later become an active and full-fledged member of the ensemble, bring new color to the life of Karavan Familia, and then carry these values and traditions further. So the story continues…







2025 concerts
25/07/27
Művészetek Völgye Festival
Karavan Familia concert
Music
Hungarian Gipsy folk music, which mostly means the world of Gipsy folk songs, came to the stage in the 1980s. In the early period, most of the performers presenting the genre were both folk informants and stage performers. Their repertoire included traditional Gipsy folk songs, reworkings, and their own compositions that perfectly fit the style. Their attitude was characterized by the fact that they did not want to be successful, but rather authentic. They did not want to play quickly, but beautifully. They did not strive to have a “good party”, but to show their values. They played what they considered true and beautiful. Karavan Familia does the same.

gipsy crossroads
The first Karavan Familia album was released in 2006.
(Karavan Familia: Gipsy Crossroads / author’s edition, 2006)
“They reach out to the most diverse Roma traditions with fine taste, playful cheerfulness and a kind of strange lightness. They process the songs with simple elegance and a kind of unwavering dignity.”
(Tibor Kovácsy, Amaro Drom)

La familijaki zor
The second Karavan Familia CD was released in 2008.
(Karavan Familia: La familijaki zor / author’s edition, 2008)
“However, the most important thing is that this music is perfectly emotionally saturated. It overflows with the zest for life, passion, and not least: respect, love and harmony for each other. The title of the album in English is: The Power of the Family. The title is authentic, in every aspect! What’s more: exemplary.”
(Sándor Olasz, riff.hu)

asvin
Their third album, made on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Karavan Familia, was selected as one of the 20 best world music CDs by the World Music Charts Europe jury in May 2014. (Karavan Familia: Asvin / Fonó, 2014)
“With assured assimilation and resigned simplicity, the band have created something hazy and beautiful. It’s a contemporary, instantly recognisable and unique sound, influenced by a profound knowledge of tradition, but too personable and honestly individual to influence in turn.” (John Pheby, fRoots Magazine, 2015)

Kawalcade
The fourth Karavan Familia album was released in 2017. The special musical material was primarily created based on the concept of István Nagy Jr.
(Karavan Familia: Kawalcade / author’s edition, 2017)
“A colorful, flavorful, very well-organized, and great-sounding album, and as its title rhymes, it has not become any less genre-lean, but let’s not think of it as some inextricable cavalcade, the whole thing has matured into a unity. This is now one of the high points of the artistically acceptable branch of entertainment music, I’ll be curious to see where they go from here.”
(Mihály Rácz, langolo.hu)

Varikanak
The latest, fifth Karavan Familia CD is honest and sophisticated, with which they primarily reach back to the roots of their genre.
(Karavan Familia: Varikanak / author’s edition, 2021)
“I am always very happy with Karavan Familia’s albums, because they have a certain closeness, an intimate, embracing quality that is unique to them in the genre. Instead of the multifaceted ethno-excursions of their recent albums, they have now returned to their roots and sound clean and simple, stripping away all frills from the quality of their heart. ”
(Mihály Rácz, langolo.hu)
Discography
Gipsy Crossroads
- author’s edition
- 2006
La familijaki zor
- author’s edition
- 2008
Asvin
- Fonó
- 2014
Kawalcade
- author’s edition
- 2017
Varikanak
- author’s edition
- 2021

Compilation albums

Balkanbeats
Volume 2.
Eastblok Music, 2006

Rough Guide to the music of Hungarian Gypsies
Rough Guide, 2008

MR2 Akusztik
Volume 1.
MR2 Petőfi Rádió, 2009

World Music from Hungary
Songlines, 2010

Fonó World Music Selection
Fonó, 2014

Balkanbeats
Volume 2.
Eastblok Music, 2006

Rough Guide to the music of Hungarian Gypsies
Rough Guide, 2008

MR2 Akusztik
Volume 1.
MR2 Petőfi Rádió, 2009

World Music from Hungary
Songlines, 2010

Fonó World
Music Selection
Fonó, 2014

videos

árva lettem
Karavan Familia – 2022

Na ushtyav man
Karavan Familia – 2021

Khiromant
Karavan Familia – 2017

Shej baxtali
Karavan Familia – 2024

Joj mamo
Karavan Familia – 2023

Phabol phabol
Karavan Familia – 2014

A38 hajó
Karavan Familia – 2020