Category Archives: Serbia

Serbian Census

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The Roma Centre for Women and Children “Daje” today called on Roma to declare their national origin “without fear or shame” in the current population census. Roma tend not to declare themselves in censuses, resulting in uncertain numbers of Roma.

The representative of the center, Nada Đuričković, said that it is necessary to determine the exact number of Roma and Roma women and added that even before the census, the “Daje” center was conducting a census of Roma settlements. “We targeted the places where these settlements are located, visited them and talked to people… it is important for us that the state knows where these people are and sends enumerators,” she said.

Serbia – Romodrom

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The ROMODROM event will open on October 1, 2022. at 8 p.m. in the Ciglana club with a discussion entitled “Roma in Serbian cinematography” . Participants in the debate are Goran Gocić , writer, journalist and film critic, Sreten Jovanović , film producer, Radenko Ranković , professor of film production and Gordana Nešić , journalist. The talk will be followed by a treat for music connoisseurs, a concert by the AMARO DEL group.

The ROMODROM project, will see several manifestations whose aim is educating the majority population about culture, traditional heritage and the participation of Roma in the cultural and socio-scientific life of our country. It is aimed at overcoming the gap created by centuries of stereotypical views of the Roma. Through cooperation with various artists and scientists of both Roma and non-Roma origin, the idea is to encourage and strengthen the healthy national pride of the Roma, which has been shaken over time and sometimes even led to negation.

Justice for Roma in Hungary and Serbia

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A report of the discriminations faced by Roma and their lack of possibilities of recourse against these in the judicial system in Hungary and Serbia.  This is bad but not surprising.

Serbia, Schools, and Roma

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The Opre Roma Srbija movement announced today that the decision of the “Klet” publishing house to replace the reading question for the third grade of primary school in which a historically offensive word for Roma was used does not change the essence of the relationship towards the Roma community, but that it is a step in the right direction, because represents the continuity of their historical struggle against inequality.

The controversy surrounding the third-grade reading book that was supported by the education ministry has been ongoing for a while. The government has denied any involvement but initially let the material through.

Leskovac and the Church

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Hundreds of Roma have been gathering in a large church in Leskovac (Serbia) to pray in a evangelical church. This is a new phenomenon in Serbia. It used to e housed iin a tent, and now has been replaced by a brand new church.

Serbia and Evangelical Churches

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Evangelical churches are making inroads among Roma in Serbia. Here a reportage on the church in Levkovac. The article is more on the positive side, saying these churches insist on education, on self-reliance etc., but does not dwell on the fact that generally Roma cultures is often lost.

Serbia, Roma, and Education

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Another article on the third grade reading book with stereotypes on Roma published in Serbia. The Education ministry declines all responsibility although they were involved. The text uses the term “Cigan” and, as an example says: “A gypsy asked her mother: What is the longest day of the year? Those when wait for dinner without lunch”.

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Serbia and Census

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Serbia will be conducting a census from October 1st to 31st. Many Roma do not choose to declare themselves as such in the census. Some however do. Joca Nikolić is from Sombor, he is a musician and he is 61 years old. As long as he can remember, he declares himself as Rom. His family roots are like that, he says, that’s how he feels. And he does not condemn those Roma who will not declare themselves in the upcoming census: “It is a personal matter, you can freely declare yourself as a Hungarian,” says Nikolić.

There are various reasons why some people do not want to declare themselves as Roma, the president of the Roma National Council, Dalibor Nakić, told DW. “Some of them are afraid that they will be exposed to discrimination, and some of them have reached full social integration over time, so they think that they will be more appreciated, respected and successful in society if they do not declare themselves as Roma. Mimicry reaction is for some people, according to their logic, a way to achieve a better position in society,” says Nakić.

Serbia, Roma, and Schools

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Reading material for third grade children, ” Narodne umotvorine lake za đake trećake”, published by the “Klet” publishing house, which, contains controversial content according to the Roma organisation Opre Roma. It uses the term “Cigan” and, as an example says: “A gypsy asked her mother: What is the longest day of the year? Those when wait for dinner without lunch”.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development announced that it does not encourage racism, nor does it show irresponsibility towards anyone, especially not towards members of the Roma community and added that it does not prescribe nor approve the contents of the reading material.

Serbia and Roma

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In a town near Leskovac, Serbia, Roma mostly speak Serbian, and they have a humorous explanation for that in a video.

This is to be contracted to the general situation in Serbia where, according to a UNESCO report, almost 60 percent of Roma children in the Balkans do not attend secondary school, and many do not know any other language than Romanes.

Bajram Haliti

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Bajram Haliti

Bajram Haliti, a Roma-Serbian politician, journalist, publicist and writer passed away. He was born in Gnjilan, Kosovo, in 1955. He was a prolific writer and journalist.

May he rest in peace.

https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanRomaInstituteERIAC/posts/pfbid025v8SshN3FK43Gk2ZWfUdVGy1Avw5fGZVYYLLZBZj8yMCLTZsE4wEnS7Pi9PchDCpl

Roma Weddings

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Roma Weddings

The Serbian folk singer Nadica Ademov who here admits playing at Roma wedding and states that a large part of her revenues come from those sometimes lavish events.

Vučić and Roma

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Vučić and Roma

Several articles on the Serbian president Vučić recognised the first generation of participants in the Barvalipe program, for young Roma  to work in the Serbian Public administration.

Šaban

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Šaban

The promotion of the documentary called a “Musical Biography of Shaban Bajramovic” produced by the Association FROS, began with the sounds of one of the most famous Shaban songs “Sajbija”, performed by famous trumpeter Nebojsa Sejdic.

Erdelezi

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Erdelezi

A few articles in the Balkan press on the celebrations of Erdelezi or Đurđevdan – simply Saint Georges day in the orthodox calendar – which fell on May 6th, and is celebrated by all Roma in the Balkans.

Serbian Elections

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Serbian Elections

Roma in Serbia are being courted by all parties, as usual, and being promised a lot or bought outright. The electoral list “Roma Patria – Srdjan Šajn” called on the citizens today to take whatever is being offered to in exchange for votes, but to vote according to their conscience, noting that “buying votes is a collapse of democracy”.

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