News

It’s difficult to determine who is the best, when everyone involved in the Festival deserved to be rewarded for their efforts. A total of about 100 groups of schools and centers  for community development in Bulgaria and abroad took part in the three day program of the Festival “Open heart” troughout workshops and performances. Every year the costumes become more graceful, attractive, and the choreographie of the participants – more motivated!

Therefore, the Special prize of the municipality of Veliko Tarnovo went to the group of Primary school “Nicola Vaptsarov” from  the village of Selanovci, which presented a mixture of dances and the „Dancing Gypsy” after the music of Diko Iliev. Their joint presentation was entitled  “Touch me –for the good luck”.

The award for “Best group” went to the group of Primary school “St. Kliment Ohridski” from Pavlikeni while the awаrd for “Best workshop” was assigned to the students of “St.st. Cyril and Methodius” in Cheshnegirovo with their group for decoupage of wooden spoons, claws on wood decoration, stones, etc. The awards for the two categories were provided courtesy of Mtel- mobile operator.

However, we have decided to award more prizes. With honorary diploma for best debut band was awarded the Primary school from the village of Kardam, Dobrich district, who performed the “Kan-kan” dance; “Best choreography” for the  students of Primary school “Hristo Botev” from Stamboliiski town who performed the dance “Holi”; the dance presents the idea for the colors of the Indian Festival Holi!

And if you have noticed small flowers to “run„ around Marno pole Park then you have seen the small pupils from Hristo Botev Primary school  from the village of Izvor. Apart from our smiles they got also the award for “The Youngest participants”.The student group from “Hristo Botev” Primary school, Zlatiya got the award for “Most artistically presented traditional custom” , and  Secondary school St. St. Cyril and Methodius” from Antonovo was reward for “Best multicultural performance“ bringing together Roma and Bulgarian folk motifs.

Groups from  “ Bratya Miladinovi” Primary school from village Cherna, Hristo botev Primary shcool village Galabnik, “Hristo Botev” Primary school , Secondary school Vasil Levski's from Valchi Dol city and Second Primary school “ Ivan Vazov “ from Valchedram city fall into the category of participants, awarded for "Best stage presence”, based on their performances, a selection of choreographie and their costumes.

Several schools were assigned awards for their contribution to the Indian roots of Roma. The first place was assigned to the children's Dance-Theater Group “Chavale romale” from “Georgi Rakovski” Primary school, Golyamo novo village, and their show “My Karma “. Awards in the same category included also “ St. st. Cyril and Methodius”, Streltsi village, “Hristo Botev” Primary school, Samuilovo and students from “ St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, Dalbok izvor who presented dances with Indian motifs. In addition, the student from the school in Yablanitsa were the most active participants in the parallel event “Collecting the garbage”!

Some of the foreign participants also were among the most attractive group, for example, the groups from Macedonia and China. The Group of “Brakâ  Miladinovci” Miladinovci village in Macedonia presented Macedonian Roma folk dance. Chinese traditional crafts in calligraphy and binding of knots demonstrated the volunteers from “Confucius Institute” which provoked the curiosity of all students. However, the Chinese Dragon which brings good luck to us all at the Festival was the great attraction of the event this year. It really made us smile in spite of the rain during the Parade on the first day.

Let us not miss the exhibition with documentary materials “The face of Roma- before and now ", which was shown as an accompanying event over the three days of the Festival. The team of Center Amalipe decided to distinguish the gathered collection of photographs, letters and drawings of Primary school “Tsanko Tserkovski” from Sredishte village with the award, provided by the site for travel-Peika.bg travel guide.We wish them a lot of journeys in history and nature!

Continuing with the awards, we can’t miss Secondary school “Angel Karaliychev” from Strajitsa who got the First place for the most colorful group. Furthermore, all the participants enjoyed the colorful dresses, dances and workshops of the Community Development Center established by Center Amalipe. And because the education is the most valuable wealth, all active volunteers receive a voucher from Heliconbookstore.

We thank the participants from the schools and their teachers, school principals, volunteers and all our supporters! Without you, the Festival wouldn't have been what it was! We look forward to seeing you next year!

"With the "Open Heart" festival we can prove that no matter where were you born, how do you look like, where do you study and who do you want to become. Because open heart tells us that we are all equal". With these words the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Zornitsa Rusinova greeted the participants in the International Children Roma Festival "Open Heart" and the festival procession" # We are equal ", which were held from 3 to June 5 in Veliko Tarnovo. She came especially for the festival and  the accompanying events organized by Amalipe were also attended by deputy ministers Denitsa Sacheva and Ivaylo Ivanov.

"The next three days will be very entertaining for you. You can have a lot of games, dancing and joy, you can find many friends", welcomed the children Minister Rusinova. She wished all the students to successfully complete the school year, to have only A-s and gather a lot of knowledge. Ministry of Labour and Social Policy will help you with care, with compassion, and when you grow up and want to work will support you with internships and trainings to acquire the necessary qualifications. I wish you good health, be obedient in school and listen to your parents. Think, read, know a lot and be merry, finished her greeting minister Rusinova.

Minister Rusinova met  representatives of Roma and pro-Roma organizations - Amalipe, World Without Borders, New Road, LARGO, Inforoma, Trust for social achievement. They set several basic questions:

- The need to reform the system of social services, so as to increase their efficiency and to reach the most excluded ones. Minister Rusinova pointed out that the budget for social services increases, but it is also a fact that many services are ineffective. Therefore  their reform is planned and delegating them not only to municipalities but also to NGOs and other stakeholders. By October we plan to work out a law on social services, assured Rusinova and invited the participants in the conversation to be involved in the process;

- Change in the situation of Roma labour mediators: increasing their number and their involvement in activities on the field. Social Minister expressed understanding of the needs identified and proposed holding a special discussion with the participation of the Employment Agency and labor mediators to detail the proposals;

- Eliminate fees for kindergarten: to increase net coefficient of enrollment in them. Minister Rusinova pointed out that this is one of the issues on which there is a discrepancy with her predecessor Ivaylo Kalfin. According to her, the fees are responsibility of municipalities and remove them at the national level would require large financial resources, which is not available at the moment. She agreed to continue this conversation with organizations following the publication of the results of the evaluation of the program "Ready for School".

At the end of the conversation Zornitsa Rusinova thanked Roma organizations for their constructive participation in the drafting of the OP "Human Resources Development" and in the Monitoring Committee of the program. I am convinced that our good collaboration will continue in all spheres of MLSP, you have my readiness to do so, assured social minister and received the same assurance by the organizations.