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Series of events to mark the International Roma Day were held in the week from April 4 to April 8 in six Bulgarian municipalities where Center Amalipe has established Centers for Development of the Community. The events were organized in the framework of “The Sun shines equally on all” campaign which was supported by the municipalities of Peshtera, Byala Slatina, Etropole, Novi Pazar, Kameno and Pavlikeni, the Regional Inspectorates of Education, Regional directorates “Social Assistance” and local schools. Within it were held community meetings, sport competitions and distribution of informational materials about the date April 8. All the events were attended by hundreds of children and young people, representatives of municipal administrations, local government institutions and representatives of the local communities.

In the town of Etropole the International Roma Day was celebrated with a number of sporting events. Over 120 students from six schools in the municipality of Etropole competed in various sports activities: chess, dodge ball, football, handball, and table-tennis. During the games volunteers of Center for Development of the Community – Etropole distributed informational materials which examine the nature of the present April 8. The initiatives were honored by Mr. Miroslav Naydenov - Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mrs. Rositsa Hristova – Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Etropole, many parents, citizens and guests of Etropole. Happiest were the children participating in the sports games, because at that day they were reunited with the general sportsmanship and showed that they all are  citizens of a country where “the suns shines equally on all” and on an equal footing, everyone has their chance to be the winner.

Moderators of the Centers for Development of the Community – Pavlikeni organized jointly with “Philip Totyu” Elementary School, village of Varbovka making of decorative branches and flowers on a spring theme. In a creative workshop were involved students from grades 5-8 and the made bouquets were given to the guests at the event which aim was to mark the International Roma Day in Pavlikeni. On April 6 in the sport hall of Pavlikeni started the competition in sporting matches and all the three schools of Pavlikeni were involved. The event was launched with a football match between the boys, followed by a volleyball game of the girls from the three schools. Along with sports events children from 5 to 8 grades presented a short cultural program. Volunteers and activists were distributing informational leaflets.

In Byala Slatina the events on the occasion of the International Day of Roma was a joint initiative of the Center for Development of the Community – Byala Slatina, Municipality of Byala Slatina and the schools on the territory of Byala Slatina. The events took place in two consecutive days. On the first day sports events and information campaign about the meaning of the date were held. In the sport activities were involved students from all the schools. All the participants were enthusiastic and supported by teachers, peers and friends. During the second day of the campaign students from several schools working under “Reduction of Roma children dropping out of school” Program, Center Amalipe presented a cultural program where were shown the rich life and soul of Roma. Events over those two days were accepted by local authorities and local institutions, representatives of various ethnic groups, residents of the municipality of Byala Slatina. 

With many football emotions, chess tournament and tennis was celebrated the International Day of Roma in Novi Pazar. Over 700 people attended various sport tournaments. At the night of April 6 was the culmination of the celebration there: a cultural program including recitation, presentation of the wedding ritual “Kana gedzhesi”, of traditional dances and finally the Roma hymn “Dzhelem, dzhelem”.  At the end were presented the winners of the sport competitions and awards were presented by Mrs. Kurteva – Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Novi Pazar and Mr. Nikolov – Chairman of the local Municipal Council.

We all are children and citizens of Bulgaria. In all the six municipalities where Center Amalipe established its Centers for Development of the Community the people regardless of ethnicity, color, religion and mother tongue joined together saying “The Sun shines equally on all” dedicated on April 8 – the International Roma Day.