Author Archives: Roma Foundation

Germany and Antigypsyism

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Germany and Antigypsyism

Michael Brand, a CDU politician, will become Commissioner Against Antigypsyism. Until very recently, it was feared that the new German government would abolish the office of Commissioner Against Antigypsyism. It seems that the deal is now done, and Brand will replace Mehmet Daimagueler.

“Gypsies don’t call, don’t write”

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“Gypsies don’t call, don’t write”

In Slovakia, in housing advertisement, these words are often found. Without any shame, nd unfortunately also without consequences…

According to Sára Danielová, is a junior researcher at the Roma Advocacy and Research Centre and an internal doctoral student at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, discrimination is common. “The apartment is no longer up to date. It is already occupied. We apologize.” Landlords are startled when a Roma person shows up during an inspection. Some admit the truth: “The neighbours don’t want it. We don’t want the properties in the village to lose value.”

Bad.

A Book by Roma about Roma

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A Book by Roma about Roma

Patrik Banga – a distinguished journalist and blogger – nevertheless published his first book, The Real Way Out. Now Banga has another book to his credit. It inextricably combines journalism, Roma and music – because Banga is also a skilled musician, just like his “Gipsy” brothers Radek and Gyulla – both in the author and in his counterpart. It is a book interview, namely with a person who has long deserved it: the former accordionist of Zuzana Navarová and Koa Mário Bihari, musician, lyricist and frontman of the band Bachtale Apsa.

Domestic Violence

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Domestic Violence

The Romeo server has just published research on domestic violence against Roma women. The research was presented by the Slovo 21 organization at the Speak Out conference as part of the Khamoro festival. 500 women from 19 cities in the Czech Republic responded. What are the results?

More than two-thirds of the respondents know someone who has experienced domestic violence and almost 29 percent of the women have experienced domestic violence personally. According to more than half of them, violence in their environment occurs either repeatedly or constantly.

But from this small non-representative sample to say that a third of all Romnja suffer from domestic violence is goig to far.

Slovakia, Social Benefits, and Work

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Slovakia, Social Benefits, and Work
A new law recently passed in Slovakia will cut social benefits to people, mostly long terms or “low-skilled” who do not accept offered work. It was signed by the Slovak president, and will be effective from September. This is mainly aimed at Roma in settlements.

The kind of work offered is highlighted in the second article, where the minister of agriculture says that agriculture will greatly benefit from this law. Well, Fico and his government took example from Hungary, where similar ideas have been put in place. The effectivity of these laws is limited to say the least.

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

The usual French things. First, an “explanation” of the French confusion between Roma, Tsiganes, Manouches, and Gitans. Well, the explanation is worthless. In Strasbourg, they are trying to integrate Roma, lodging them in better housing and making sure the children are educated. Finally, one large Roma camp in Toulouse, in the South of France will be closed. Of course, without any planned relocation.

Roma and Reisende Students in Sweden

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Roma and Reisende Students in Sweden

A new project is furthering the interactions between Vlach Roma and local Reisende students in Sweden. Reisende are the descendants of Roma deported from nowadays UK but also of Sinti, and are closely related also to the Finnish and Baltic Roma.

Bulgaria, Zaharna Fabrika, and Art

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Bulgaria, Zaharna Fabrika, and Art

The interdisciplinary cultural project “Dom” presents the reality of marginalized children in Bulgaria through the means of painting and video. The project is of a documentary nature, and the goal is to draw attention to the impact of the social environment on children and the place they occupy in it.

Initially, the fields of research were the Roma Mahalas in Svoge and Stolipinovo in Plovdiv, but after the events surrounding the destroyed houses in the “Zaharna Fabrika” district in Sofia, where Roma houses were recently destroyed, they decided to include them in their project.

Ribnica, Slovenia

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Ribnica, Slovenia

According to the journalist, “the Ribnica municipal councillors discussed the Roma issue at last night’s session, after three violent Roma physically attacked the mayor, Sam Pogorelec, a policewoman, and the son of a municipal employee.

As Mayor Pogorelc said, they are extremely disappointed with the government, which turns a blind eye to these issues and is not prepared to get more actively involved in solving the Roma problem. At the same time, municipalities do not have the leverage to influence changes themselves, citing non-attendance by Roma children, unemployment of Roma, non-sanctioning of the actions of violent Roma, and the like. At the same time, one of the municipal councillors wondered how it was possible that one of Saturday’s attackers was not yet in prison, even though he stabbed a man a few months ago.

Bad.

Roma, Slovenia, and the Law

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Roma, Slovenia, and the Law

A literal rant against woke ideology, against left leaning lawyers who do not want to discuss the ethnicity of crimes. The TV sender is well known for its anti-Roma views and nationalistic rightists positions.

Bad.

Slovak Polish Concert

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Slovak Polish Concert

The House of Culture Foundation and ETP Slovensko invite you to the Romani Polish-Slovak Concert – a common space of culture in Europe. It will take place next Saturday (June 14) at the Office of Art Exhibitions in Krosno, Poland, starting at 5:00 p.m.

The programme includes: A performance by the “Sila v mladosti” band from Stara Lubovna, which will present the music of the Slovak Roma from the Prešov region (historical Spiš); a concert by the “Romano Iło” band, led by Łukasz Andrasz, representing traditional Roma music from the Podkarpacie region in a modern version; a jam session, during which musicians from Poland and Slovakia will jointly create a space for improvisation and exchange of artistic experiences; as well as dances.

Slovenia, Politics, and Roma

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Slovenia, Politics, and Roma

The mayor of the Slovene town of Ribnica, Samo Pogorelc, who advocated cutting water and electricity to Roma who do not “behave” was attacked by some of his Roma constituents. This papers deems this a

“a brutal attack by Roma” which did not really require his hospitalisation.

He now demands the resignation of Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar. He also demands measures from the state, which is clearly not in control of the situation.

Bad.

Stereotypes in Politics

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Stereotypes in Politics

A member of the European Parliament Romana Tomc (SDS) from Slovenia posted a post on her Facebook profile titled “The Gypsy Carmen and the story of the Dolenjska Roma”. Tomc paints a romantic picture of a “passionate, beautiful and special gypsy woman”, who was once supposed to represent something mysterious and exciting. Then follows the contrast: “Today, the gypsies from the story of Carmen are gone. Instead, we have Roma,” she writes.

Bad

 

Exhibition

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Exhibition

Through portraits and stories of twenty professionals from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, “Testament” reveals their talent and commitment in their respective fields. However, the exhibition of photographs by Arben Llapashtica, curated by Eliza Hoxha, also radiates the power to challenge stereotypes and build a reality where diversity and equality exist.

In an effort to bring powerful and authentic stories from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities closer to the public, the “Testament” exhibition will open at the Mitrovica Museum on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Czechia and Minorities

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Czechia and Minorities

Martin Kanaloš has been writing since childhood, but only recently introduced himself with his debut novel. The book Me, Tran and Everything Else tells the story of two teenagers, half Roma and half Vietnamese, from a housing estate.

“They experience various troubles on the outskirts of the city, in a housing estate,” added Kanaloš. They feel that life is slipping through their fingers, unlike their classmates from a small-town high school, until they show up at a fancy party as uninvited guests. They also have a diverse ethnic background in common: Dezi is half Romani and Tran is half Vietnamese. Kanaloš talks about what it’s like not to fit in in the Czech Republic, mixing social realism with black humour. “I have Romani, Hungarian, Ukrainian ancestors. And because I’ve been focusing on Romani issues for the past few years, I chose the Romani theme for this book as well,” the writer explained. The character of Tran is said to be loosely inspired by his friend.

Khamoro Festival Volunteers

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Khamoro Festival Volunteers

Twelve ROMEA scholarship holders participated in the organization of the World Roma Festival Khamoro this year as part of the educational program “Khamoro shares experiences”, organized by Slovo 21. They helped with production, communication with guests, and documentation of events. In the process, they gained valuable experience, strengthened their self-confidence and pride in their own identity. They also shared their impressions on stage during the final gala concert, and Denisa Hamáčková’s vlog captures the process of their involvement.

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