Romen Theatre, the one and only professional Romani repertoire theater, has celebrated its 85th anniversary. It is the oldest and the most well-known Gypsy theatre in the world.
The emergence of a Gypsy theatre in Moscow was predetermined with rich history and immense popularity of Romani music here. Those were  choruses of Ruska Roma settled in Moscow, who were at the roots of the Romen Theater. Starting from the late 17th - early 18th century, when the Roma settled in Russia, this country's literature, music and poetry can not be imagined without the Gypsies and their songs. Great Leo Tolstoy defined the role of gypsy songs in a most profound way: "Gypsy music has been the only transition from folk music to academical music here in Russia".
In 1930, Moscow intelligentsia got the idea of ​​creating the Gypsy Theatre, which was supported by officials and cultural figures. December 16, 1931 saw the first performance of Alexander German's play Life on Wheels, which marked the birth of the new theater. The glory of the unique company was promoted and maintained by well-known figures of the Russian culture, such as its directors in various years: Moses Goldblatt, Michael Yanshin, Peter Saratov, and Semyon Barkan.
The fame of the Romen Theater  has long expanded beyond the limits of Moscow, and the original art of the talented team is admired by audiences in Russia, CIS and foreign countries. It enjoys same love and popularity as in those bygone times, when its story was just starting.
Romen Theatre follows its own creative way, by reviving and developing genuine folklore of the Romany, creating the repertoire on themes akin to this people and including gypsy music , songs and dances, into stage productions.
Since 1977 the art director of Romen Theater has been Nikolay Slichenko, a well-known gypsy stage and film actor, stage director, and singer, the People's Artist of USSR, the holder of the  State Award of the USSR, and the winner of the RF Government Award.
One of the theatre's most successful stage productions is the parable play "Tabor Games" distinguished with the Moscow Prize in Literature and Art. The legendary performance has celebrated its 40th anniversary since the premiere day. The history of the Gypsy people - the eternal wanderer - is told in an exciting rhythm with passionate songs and captivating dances.
The vivid folk music show has won universal acclaim of the audience in Japan, France, Italy, India, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Austria, and many others.
Romen Theatre has prepared a premiere for its anniversary. For the first time the theater has refered to the history of its foundation.
The play "Singing Strings of the Soul" tells about the theater's roots and founders. Viewers cannot but empathize with the challenging real life stories of the three main characters: Nikolay Khmelev, Lyalya Chornaya and Michael Yanshin.
The eventful life story of the unique theater is presented at the exhibition project "From Gypsy Choir to Theater" at the Fyodor Chaliapin Museum Estate. It is the first joint project of the two leading federal museums, namely the Glinka Music Museum and Bakhrushin Theater Museum and the Romen Theatre. Visitors will see unique exhibits never displayed at the same time, "here and now" yet. The exhibition runs at the address: 25, Novinsky Boulevard, Moscow, from December 1st to  February 19th, 2017.