News

From June 28 to July 1 an international meeting of the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement (EGAM) based in Paris, France was held in Sofia.

Over 20 participants from Denmark, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, France, Italy, Romania and Bulgaria participated in the preparation of Roma Pride 2012 and presented the activities of their organizations to combat racism and discrimination. Bulgaria was represented at the meeting by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and  the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance – Amalipe, Veliko Tarnovo.

During the meeting the president of the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement, Mr. Benjamin Abtan, presented what happened in Europe during the Roma Pride 2011, which was held simultaneously in many countries in Europe on October 1, 2011. Roma Pride is an international initiative of EGAM which targets the Roma in Europe to organize initiatives, to show that they are proud of their origin and to attract public attention regarding the problems of the largest minority in Europe. Mr. Abtan stressed the success of the campaigns conducted in Bulgaria and Romania by Amalipe, Bulgaria and Romani Criss, Romania.

Atanas Stoyanov from Center Amalipe presented the work of the centers for community development during the Roma Pride 2011. (More information about Roma Pride 2011 can be found here) Later on he held a presentation about the Roma history. Krasimir Kanev of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, Rumyan Rusinov and Josif Nunev were also guests at the meeting and presented the life of the Roma during socialism, as well as their personal stories as Roma leaders.

Ms. Maria Metodieva of the Open Society Institute, Sofia presented the National Strategy for Roma Integration of the Republic of Bulgaria 2012-2020. Furthermore, representatives of organizations – members of the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues at the Council of Ministers presented their experience in projects targeting Roma in Bulgaria.

As a sign of tolerance the participants of the meeting held in Sofia participated in the Sofia Pride on June 30.

Numerous initiatives are expected to be organized this year for the Roma Pride 2012 which will take place on October 7. This includes exhibitions of paintings and works related to the Roma issue (Poland, Bulgaria), political petitions (Denmark), children's concerts (Italy), demonstrations (Romania) and many others activities. As a common European initiative stands the Roma Film Week where it is expected to be screened various films on Roma issues.

For Bulgaria, Center Amalipe planned numerous events at local level through its centers for community development. In addition, the organization will launch a special research this year with the aim to find people in the Roma community who are successful in different spheres, proud of their origin and not afraid to show it. Amalipe will invite the selected Roma to the general national meeting in October.