Category Archives: Slovakia

Summer School

Published by:

How a 19 year old future teacher organised a summer camp in Slovakia for Roma children. And the camp is full – for, as she says, Roma children want to learn.
Well done!

– Budúca učiteľka má len 19 rokov, do jej letnej školy sa už hlásili desiatky Rómov. In: Dennik. 21.08.2017. https://dennikn.sk/851615/buduca-ucitelka-ma-len-19-rokov-do-jej-letnej-skoly-sa-uz-hlasili-desiatky-romov/ [link-preview url=”https://dennikn.sk/851615/buduca-ucitelka-ma-len-19-rokov-do-jej-letnej-skoly-sa-uz-hlasili-desiatky-romov/”]

School and Slovakia

Published by:

A typical story for Slovakia. The government plenipotentiary for Roma affairs, Abel Ravasz, is trying to mediate an issue of bullying of Roma in a school and a de-facto attempt at school segregation. Bullying against Roma children happened in Demandice, a village where Roma from two neighbouring communes are attending school in. The local council has decided to exclude Lontov and Ipeľský Sokolec from their school district, meaning that the mostly Roma pupils from these municipalities are allowed to attend a school in Demandice, but will not have the travel expenses paid. This is a de-facto exclusion of the Roma as they depend on this stipend.

Rómsky splnomocnenec sa dohodol so starostami na postupe v Demandiciach. In: SME Domov. 22.08.2017. https://domov.sme.sk/c/20631878/splnomocnenec-sa-dohodol-so-starostami-na-rieseni-problemov-v-demandiciach.html [link-preview url=”https://domov.sme.sk/c/20631878/splnomocnenec-sa-dohodol-so-starostami-na-rieseni-problemov-v-demandiciach.html”]

Slovakia: End of the Festival

Published by:

The festival that took place in Zvolen, Banska Bistrica and in nearby towns is ending this week end. Yesterday, a gala concert with Roma musicians from various countries was held in Sliač with musicians from Russia, Hungary, Czech republic and Slovakia.

– Galaprogramom dnes vrcholí multižánrové podujatie Ľudia z rodu Rómov. In: Dobre Noviny. 19.08.2017. http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/108437/galaprogramom-dnes-vrcholi-multizanrove-podujatie-ludia-z-rodu-romov [link-preview url=”http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/108437/galaprogramom-dnes-vrcholi-multizanrove-podujatie-ludia-z-rodu-romov”]

Festival of another Kind

Published by:

On the 16th of August, in the Banská Bystrica Historic Town Hall, the largest Roma multi-ethnic event in Central Slovakia will be opened. It is called “Ľudia z rodu Rómov” [People of the Roma family] and will last until the 19th of August. A non-traditional home-based exhibition focusses on Roma women and their position in society in connection with the growing extremism and radicalism is part of the festival.

“The individual activities of the festival will be held in three cities – Banská Bystrica, Zvolen, Sliac and visitors can enjoy outstanding Roma artists from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania,” said Denisa Sciranková from Quo Vadis civic association.

– Rómsky festival Ľudia z rodu Rómov odštartuje netradičnou výstavou. In: Dobre Noviny. 14.08.2017. http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/108102/romsky-festival-ludia-z-rodu-romov-odstartuje-netradicnou-vystavou [link-preview url=”http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/108102/romsky-festival-ludia-z-rodu-romov-odstartuje-netradicnou-vystavou”]

Slovakia, Roma, and Work

Published by:

Representatives of municipalities and non-profit organizations will share their positive experiences with Roma employment in the green economy in Košice. The workshop takes place on the 15th of August in Teledom on Timonova Street, will also include experts from Norway.

“The European Environment Committee has estimated that up to 860’000 new full-time jobs could potentially be generated by waste management – logistics, repair, sales and recycling by 2030. If this ambitious scenario could be met by reducing food waste, re-using textiles, furniture and recycling, by 2020, 425 million tonnes of CO2 emissions would be released into the European atmosphere and almost 61 million litres of water would be saved,” said Slavek Mačáková, Director of ETP Slovakia.

For Slovakia, this could mean an estimated 10,000 jobs and save our air from five million tons of CO2 and save 600,000 litres of water.

– Workshop v Košiciach bude o zamestnávaní Rómov v zelenej ekonomike, In: Dobre Noviny. 13.08.2017. http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/108021/workshop-v-kosiciach-bude-o-zamestnavani-romov-v-zelenej-ekonomike [link-preview url=”http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/108021/workshop-v-kosiciach-bude-o-zamestnavani-romov-v-zelenej-ekonomike”]

Racism in Slovakia

Published by:

An essay about racism against Roma in Slovakia. Forbidden to go in some swimming pools, even in public spaces, everyday racism in words and in social medias, etc.
Bad.

– Čo to tu tak smrdí? In: Nazory Pravda. 09.08.2017. https://nazory.pravda.sk/dnes-pise/clanok/437744-co-to-tu-tak-smrdi/ [link-preview url=”https://nazory.pravda.sk/dnes-pise/clanok/437744-co-to-tu-tak-smrdi/”]

It wasn’t really us …

Published by:

An article in the Slovak Press on the occasion of the Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day. Not helpful: Basically, it is the German who did it, who imposed the restrictions and racial laws, and who ultimately killed the Roma in Slovakia. Well, not really, let’s not forget that many Slovaks were for the government of the times there …

– Rómske utrpenie cítime dodnes. In: Dennik. 02.08.2017. https://dennikn.sk/blog/romske-utrpenie-citime-dodnes/ [link-preview url=”https://dennikn.sk/blog/romske-utrpenie-citime-dodnes/”]

Slovakia: Symbolism and Social Media

Published by:

A virtual candle could be lit on social media for the Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day. It was used by people of various background and is a first in that country.

– Symbolická sviečka spojila ľudí rôzneho politického presvedčenia. In: Dobre Noviny. 05.08.2017. http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/107369/symbolicka-sviecka-spojila-ludi-rozneho-politickeho-presvedcenia [link-preview url=”http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/107369/symbolicka-sviecka-spojila-ludi-rozneho-politickeho-presvedcenia”]

Do not Forget!

Published by:

A long article on the Roma Holocaust and its long denial in Slovakia. The article explains the basic facts and the reasons behind the denial (still promoted by Slovak Right Wing such as Kotleba’s followers).

– Ma bisteren! Nezabudnite! In: Nazory Pravda. 03.08.2017. https://nazory.pravda.sk/analyzy-a-postrehy/clanok/437163-ma-bisteren-nezabudnite/ [link-preview url=”https://nazory.pravda.sk/analyzy-a-postrehy/clanok/437163-ma-bisteren-nezabudnite/”]

Racist Cops and What TO Do With Them

Published by:

An article about what to do with racist cops in Slovakia. There’s definitively a need in that country.

Ako si naše úrady poradia s rasistickými policajtmi? Príklad ponúkajú Švédi. In: SME. 20.07.2017. https://komentare.sme.sk/c/20608246/ako-si-nase-urady-poradia-s-rasistickymi-policajtmi.html [link-preview url=”https://komentare.sme.sk/c/20608246/ako-si-nase-urady-poradia-s-rasistickymi-policajtmi.html”]

It is Possible

Published by:

An example of a peaceful cohabitation between Roma and non-Roma in a small village in one of the poor regions of Slovakia. OK, there are stereotypes, this being Slovakia … But nevertheless, can we have more villages like this?

– Boli sme v dedine, kde Rómovia chcú pracovať. In: Aktuality. 21.07.2017. https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/505075/boli-sme-v-dedine-kde-romovia-chcu-pracovat/ [link-preview url=”https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/505075/boli-sme-v-dedine-kde-romovia-chcu-pracovat/”]

Pennsylvania, Residents, and Romanian Roma

Published by:

Bad – bad as an article, and bad in that that a minority of Romanian Roma seems to make the headlines. Especially since in Pittsburgh, there have been many Roma from Czechoslovakia who have and still live there since pre-World War One.

– In California, Pa., residents want answers about Romanian immigrants. In: Pittsburg Post Gazette. 14.07.2017. http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2017/07/14/California-Pa-residents-want-answers-about-Romanian-immigrants/stories/201707140150 [link-preview url=”http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2017/07/14/California-Pa-residents-want-answers-about-Romanian-immigrants/stories/201707140150″]

Most-Hid

Published by:

The Slovak opposition movement Most-Hid (a play on the word Bridge in Slovak and Hungarian) has been joined by several mayor of Eastern Slovakia. The movement is also bringing in Roma and tries to bridge the ethnic and cultural divisions.

– Starostovia z Gemera vstúpili do strany Most-Híd, s Ravaszom riešia otázku Rómov. In: SME Domov. 07.07.2017. https://domov.sme.sk/c/20577004/starostovia-z-gemera-vstupili-do-strany-most-hid-s-ravaszom-riesia-otazku-romov.html#axzz4mE64mnkL
– Časť obyvateľov Gemerskej Polomy bráni starostu odsúdeného za korupciu. In: Korzar. 04.07.2017. https://gemer.korzar.sme.sk/c/20573319/cast-obyvatelov-gemerskej-polomy-brani-starostu-odsudeneho-za-korupciu.html#axzz4mE6uJr1t [link-preview url=”https://domov.sme.sk/c/20577004/starostovia-z-gemera-vstupili-do-strany-most-hid-s-ravaszom-riesia-otazku-romov.html#axzz4mE64mnkL “]

Slovakia, Roma, and Jobs

Published by:

Roma are the economic potential and social capital for an aging Europe. This is the main message of the international project “We change discourse, we change practice: RARE – Roma as human resources”, which was presented at a press conference in Bratislava. The project aims at the insertion of Roma in the job force, and is currently being piloted in 8 Eastern European Countries.

– Modely využitia Rómov na trhu práce budú hľadať v projekte. In: Dobre Noviny. 03.07.2017. http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/104917/modely-vyuzitia-romov-na-trhu-prace-budu-hladat-v-projekte [link-preview url=”http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/104917/modely-vyuzitia-romov-na-trhu-prace-budu-hladat-v-projekte”]

Far Right and Moslems

Published by:

Before the Far Right turned anti Moslem, guess what, they were against Roma… This is especially true in Eastern Europe for example Hungary, but also Slovakia, etc.
Bad.

– Before they opposed Muslims, Europe’s far right targeted a different minority. In: Washington Post. 22.06.2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/22/before-they-opposed-muslims-europes-far-right-targeted-a-different-minority/?utm_term=.17d136ae1f2c [link-preview url=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/22/before-they-opposed-muslims-europes-far-right-targeted-a-different-minority/?utm_term=.17d136ae1f2c”]

Slovakia: EU Funds for Roma

Published by:

Nearly 450 Mio EUR are earmarked as help for the Roma communities in Slovakia, of which nearly 50 Mio is dedicated to kindergartens. The funds are from the EU.
Let’s hope!

– Z eurofondov smeruje na marginalizovaných Rómov 450 miliónov eur. In: SME Romovia. 23.06.2017. https://romovia.sme.sk/c/20566348/z-eurofondov-smeruje-na-marginalizovanych-romov-450-milionov-eur.html#axzz4ku1rbj6T [link-preview url=”https://romovia.sme.sk/c/20566348/z-eurofondov-smeruje-na-marginalizovanych-romov-450-milionov-eur.html#axzz4ku1rbj6T”]

Slovakia and Roma

Published by:

Really???? This article effectively says that Roma are no worse tenants than any others and seems to be astonished at it. Background is that the village of Tachty to the south of Rimavská Sobota built several two rooms flats for Roma at subsidised rents and after two years is making a first review of the project.

Byty pre Rómov sú po pár rokoch od výstavby v dobrom stave. In: Naš Novohrad. 22.06.2017. https://nasnovohrad.sme.sk/c/20565662/byty-pre-romov-su-po-par-rokoch-od-vystavby-v-dobrom-stave.html#axzz4knUvpi5P [link-preview url=”https://nasnovohrad.sme.sk/c/20565662/byty-pre-romov-su-po-par-rokoch-od-vystavby-v-dobrom-stave.html#axzz4knUvpi5P”]

Slovakia and the Police

Published by:

Roma are insisting on a proper investigation of the police intervention 4 years ago in Moldavia nad Bodvou, where the police stood accused of torture and mistreatment but was finally recently exonerated.
There is a movie made by the police of what they did … They should be condemned for it.

– Zástupcovia Rómov z Moldavy stále trvajú na riadnom vyšetrení zásahu polície spred štyroch rokov. In: Spravy Pravda. 17.06.2017. https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/432878-zastupcovia-romov-z-moldavy-stale-trvaju-na-riadnom-vysetreni-zasahu-policie-spred-styroch-rokov/ [link-preview url=”https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/432878-zastupcovia-romov-z-moldavy-stale-trvaju-na-riadnom-vysetreni-zasahu-policie-spred-styroch-rokov/”]

Slovakia: The President and Roma

Published by:

Politicians do not want to deal with the situation of Roma in excluded communities, and they are more likely to make a speech about order and law, Slovak President Andrej Kiska said in his report on the state of the republic.

The government is proposing to move the agenda to a member of the government, and not to the office of the Plenipotentiary for the Roma communities, which is supposed to be only an advisory body. At the same time, politicians urged them to commit themselves to achieving concrete results in this area over the ten-year horizon.

“Let’s concentrate and set fair goals. Let’s stop talking about the “Roma problem” and start working on how to use “Roma potential”, Kiska said in an address to MEPs.

– Kiska chce silnejšieho úradníka pre Rómov, splnomocnenec súhlasí. In: SME Domov. 14.06.2017. https://domov.sme.sk/c/20559084/abel-ravasz-suhlasi-so-silnejsim-uradnikom-pre-romov.html#ixzz4kFIP4UZ7
– Dotáciou podporila vláda vlani 95 projektov na podporu Rómov. In: Dobre Noviny. 14.06.2017. http://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/103289/dotaciou-podporila-vlada-vlani-95-projektov-na-podporu-romov [link-preview url=”https://domov.sme.sk/c/20559084/abel-ravasz-suhlasi-so-silnejsim-uradnikom-pre-romov.html#ixzz4kFIP4UZ7 “]

Slovakia, the Police, and Roma

Published by:

A follow up on the beatings by the police of Roma residents from the Slovak town of Zborov. On April 16th, the police beat up children, pregnant women, and finally threatened residents in case a video of the incident would be released (which happened).
Shame that the police can do this, double shame that they have not yet been prosecuted.

– https://youtu.be/OrCwfhc9leo
– Slovakia: Romani residents of Zborov tell Romea.cz that police beat children, pregnant women, threatened retribution if video released. In: Romea.cz. 12.06.2017. http://www.romea.cz/en/news/world/slovakia-romani-residents-of-zborov-tell-romea-cz-that-police-beat-children-pregnant-women-threatened-retribution-if-video [link-preview url=”https://youtu.be/OrCwfhc9leo “]

rroma.org
en_GBEN