Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Ribnica, Slovenia

Published by:

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.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Roma, Slovenia, and the Law

Published by:

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.

News Eastern Europe Poland Slovakia

Slovak Polish Concert

Published by:

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

Slovenia, Politics, and Roma

Published by:

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.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Stereotypes in Politics

Published by:

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

 

Kosovo News Eastern Europe

Exhibition

Published by:

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.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Czechia and Minorities

Published by:

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.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Khamoro Festival Volunteers

Published by:

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.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Domestic Violence

Published by:

Domestic Violence

Almost a third of Roma women have personal experience with domestic violence. Yet most of them do not seek professional help. This is according to a new study by the Slovo 21 organization, which also shows a change in attitudes. The number of Roma women who reject traditional family roles and want to be heard is increasing. The research also brings the first extensive probe into the topic of violence in Roma communities.

The Slovo 21 organization for the first time ever examined the experiences of Roma women with domestic violence on a larger scale. 500 women from 19 Czech cities participated in the survey as part of the Speak Out project. Data collection was carried out by 26 trained Roma interviewers.

The issue as usual, is that one generalises based on a sample that is most probably not so representative in the first place. As we always say, if one doesn’t know how many Roma there are, ho can we infer a percentage?

Bulgaria Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Hristo Kjučukov

Published by:

Hristo Kjučukov

Last week, a number of prominent Roma personalities came to Prague thanks to the Khamoro festival. Among the guests was linguistics professor Hristo Kjučukov, who comes from Bulgaria. He has struggled with discrimination since childhood, not only as a Rom, but also as a Muslim. And this is what he tried to overcome with education and success.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Khamoro Festival

Published by:

Khamoro Festival

In the last week of May, the largest Romani festival in the world, Khamoro – translated from Romani as “little sun” – took place in Prague. Over the course of seven days, visitors could experience and taste Romani culture – traditional music, gypsy jazz, theatre, panel debates and a book launch. The festival also drew attention to the unequal conditions faced by Romani people in the Czech Republic.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Industry in Slovakia

Published by:

Industry in Slovakia

A new industrial park is being prepared in the Stará Ľubovňa district. The project aims to improve the future of the Roma in the district.

“Together with partners, we are preparing the establishment of an industrial park near the village of Šarišské Jastrabie, which will be focused on social entrepreneurship and the employment of long-term unemployed residents from marginalized communities,” the office informed. One of the first projects will be the ecological production of briquettes, which has the ambition to significantly reduce the problem of illegal logging and the burning of unsuitable materials in households. This step will not only have a positive impact on the environment, but will also bring concrete work to people who need it most.

Let’s see …

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria and Roma

Published by:

Bulgaria and Roma

Bulgaria’s Roma community continues to face widespread discrimination and is seeking to leave the country en masse. However, Roma could fill the dramatic labour gap created by the exodus, provided they have access to quality education. An interview with the founder of the Amalipe Center in Veliko Tarnovo.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Novo Mesto – Attack

Published by:

Novo Mesto – Attack

A witness in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, said that a man the Roma settlement of Žabjak attacked a citizen with a knife, while he was performing community service at the Novo mesto Komunala.

Whatever the reason, this is bad.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Anti-Discrimination Law

Published by:

Anti-Discrimination Law

An analysis published by the Office of the Plenipotentiary of the Government of the Slovak Republic for Roma Communities (ÚSVRK) of the Slovak Republic shaw that Roma, while having been facing discrimination in Slovakia in education, healthcare, work and housing for a long time make little use of the existing anti-discrimination laws. Miriam Žiaková, Director of the Media Department of the ÚSVRK said that: “Despite the fact that the existing anti-discrimination law provides them with formal protection, a large part of Roma do not exercise their rights, even in cases where they are directly exposed to discriminatory treatment.”

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovakia: A Billion for Roma

Published by:

Slovakia: A Billion for Roma

The Government of the Slovak Republic has received approximately one billion euros from the European Union to support Roma communities. However, as reported by ta3, the distribution of these funds has caused a serious disagreement between the former and current government plenipotentiary for Roma communities.

Peter Pollák, a former plenipotentiary, claims that the entire billion euros is available, which can be used to solve social problems and improve the living conditions of Roma. On the contrary, the current plenipotentiary Alexander Daško opposes, saying that this money is distributed among various ministries and only a part of it is intended directly for Roma. According to Daško, this is misleading and deceiving the public.

Well, Daško also supports some projects of dubious nature… Planting trees is not  going to integrate Romani communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovak Countryside

Published by:

Slovak Countryside

Improving housing for the marginalized Roma community (MRK), the rehabilitation of illegal landfills and the education of children are topics that the mayor of Pečovská Nová Ves, Jaroslav Dujava, wants to open during Wednesday’s field meeting of the Slovak government in their municipality.

That would be a good start…

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovakia and Settlements

Published by:

Slovakia and Settlements

A pilot project for the construction of modular houses in a Roma settlement in the town of Veľký Šariš will implement many years of experience with similar construction in the Netherlands. Well, difficult to fathom what similar constructions occurred in the Netherlands, as segregated settlements are not common there…

Alexander Daško, the Slovak plenipotentiary for Roma communities also emphasized the merit and motivational factor. “Future tenants will not get anything for free,” he declared. He explained that the condition for obtaining rental housing is participation in the construction. “The contribution will be at least 20 percent of the costs in the form of participation in the construction work.” He also pointed out that tenants will not be able to create debt on energy and water supplies, and they will also be able to reduce the set rent based on compliance with the rules. “Zero debt, compliance with compulsory school attendance of children, maintaining order, regular employment, all of this will be able to reduce the amount of rent.”

This is a total alibi exercise that builds up on stereotypes that Roma abuse the social system. The real issue are land rights, connection to municipal services (water, electricity), and of course, work.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN