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10.10.2013More than 15 municipalities in Bulgaria took part in the Roma Pride campaign 2013

Thousands of students and teachers from different schools and universities and many other citizens from more than 15 municipalities inBulgariatook part in the Roma Pride campaign 2013. This year’s motto stood the same: “My dream forBulgaria: To study and live together!”

Roma Pride is an international initiative, organized under the umbrella of EGAM (European Grassroots Antiracist Movement). That’s an initiative which aims to stimulate and motivate Roma people to be proud with their culture and history. Center Amalipe organized the campaign for third year in Bulgaria. On 6th of October 2013 Roma Pride was organized as well in other countries like: Denmark, France, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Norway, Serbia, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova.

Many community development and youth centers, structures of Center Amalipe took part in the campaign. Same did a lot of schools working with Amalipe under the project for prevention dropping out if school. New for this year’s campaign were the youth centers working on project “Youth is Tolerance – combating anti-Roma stereotypes among the young people”.

Find more information about the activities held in Bulgaria:

1. Centers for community development and local clubs

Veliko Tarnovo: Center for community development in Veliko Tarnovo city,
by clubbing together with the local clubs in the villages of Vodoley and Ledenik and the Kaltinets neighborhood in Gorna Oryahovitsa town, marked Roma Pride in three days.

Local club in the village of Vodoley:

- October 4, 2013 (Friday): Celebration for Roma Pride was held in the village of Vodoley. A lot of students and people from the community celebrated the day of Roma culture Pride. The local moderator together with the students cooked traditional Roma dishes. Later a group of students showed different dances and songs, also there were readings of Roma fairytales and a lot of good emotions.

Local club in the village of Ledenik:

- October 5, 2013 (Saturday): The local moderator Aneta Shikova gave a presentation on a short report about Roma history. After that a lot of children joined and performed traditional dances and songs, drawing contest and recitals. At the end, Grandma Zdravka Krasteva presented to the participants some specifics about the Roma Muslims dishes.

Local club in neighborhood Kaltinets, Gorna Oryahovitsa town:

- October 6, 2013 (Sunday): Songs, dances and recitals performed by children from different ethnics marked Roma Pride in the Kaltinets neighborhood, Gorna Oryahovitsa town. Also a big exhibition of traditional crafts and antique household items was held in the center of the neighborhood.


Pavlikeni:

- October 4, 2013 (Friday): Roma Pride in Pavlikeni town was celebrated for second year meeting in one place, the local clubs for community development, schools and citizens. There were also representatives of government institutions, teachers and school directors. The official opening started with short presenting of Roma Pride from Valentin Vasilev, moderator. Later there was an exhibition of traditional Roma clothes. The celebrating ended with a lot of dances, songs and poetry recitals.

Strazhitsa:

- October 3, 2013 (Thursday): For second consecutive year in the hall of the Library "Razvitie 1985" (means: development 1985) Center for community development Strazhitsa marked Roma Pride. The opening event was a screening of the film "Vrastiri" - Roma workshop and "Barry Mary" - Roma holidays and customs. All the patricians had the opportunity to leave their messages and dreams for Bulgaria.

 

Etropole:

- October 6, 2013 (Sunday): With the hymn of the Roma "Dzhelem Dzhelem" event opened. After the official opening of the festival, the program continued with songs and dances, prepared by students and young people from the youth group of Center for community development Etropole.

Peshtera:

- October 5, 2013: Center for community developmentPeshtera celebrated the Day of the Roma pride for the third consecutive year. Center for Community Development presented an

exhibition of crafts such as baskets , tin pots – a traditional craft for the group of Kalaidzhii,  bowls and wooden spoons from the Kopanari group. All of the handmade staff has been made by our ancestors and they in turn have given crafts to the younger generation. The exhibition included traditional clothing such as dresses for henna and circumcision ceremony and everyday clothes. The exhibition shows three generations of people belonging to the Roma ethnic group , who have contributed to cultural growth and good image of the city. These are people like the famous choreographer and artist Mancho Makarinov , his grandson , the boxer Yaleksandar Danchev Makarinov , the world and Olympic champion and the best boxer on the planet , Serafim Todorov, Iliya Filipov Iliykata and others. Youngsters and students also had something to show and something to be proud of, such as sports and science achievements.

Byala Slatina:

- The Day of the Roma Pride was solemnly celebrated on 06/10/2013 , in the canteen of "Hristo Smirnensky " Elementary school in Byala Slatina.The program started with poems , songs and 

dances presented by students from the school. There was a game with the audience including questions related to the Roma tradition and culture, and the school principle provided a modest gift for each correct answer.

Competition was held on the occasion of Roma pride for best traditional gipsy dish. The first place in the competition won grandmother Iliana , which prepared sugar apples. The second place went to a participant, who prepared banitza with cheese and the participant, who won the third place won was preparing „Prosenik." Byala Slatina municipality gave the winners a diploma and moderators from the CCD gave them modest gifts. The event was followed by an exhibition of workshops : arts , knitting , innovations , old household items . People with preserved traditional craft were also invited to the celebration: kopanari, who produce wooden spoons, a blacksmith, and a broom maker. In one of the workshops was presented the ritual face drawing of Roma bride. All participants in the workshops were also provided by a certificate for participation. Flyers were given at the end of the event and all were invited to taste the dishes.

Knezha:

- CCD in Knezha celebrated “Roma pride" on 10/08/2013 in front of the Municipal Social Development. The program began with the reading of the history of the holiday and continued with songs, dances , poems and essays , presented by students of Secondary School, N.Rilski " and Elementary school ,, Knezhitsa ".  Asketch was played by a student from school N.Rilski" musical performances were made by the student from school V.Levski. Folk singer Roxanna sang the Roma  anthem. The day was colorful and full of high spirits.

On 06. 10. 2013 CCD Kameno with local clubs Rusokastro, Troianovo and Vinarsko, celebrated the Day of the Roma pride. Children from Kindergarten ,, Sun"  enjoyed the audience with songs and dances. Students from School ,, Hristo Botev " Kameno,participating in the EPA " Roma folklore " performed famous Roma songs. Pensioners' club  “Nedelcho Kambov" Kameno played a scene in an old Bulgarian custom –the Midwives Day. Club of retired teachers sang some songs and congratulated all the guests.  Traditional ​​pies, cakes and other sweets in different customs and traditions were made. Todor Tonchev, who is from the group of Rudari from the village of Vinarsko showed hand made things​​of wood. The visitors saw the exhibition of different lifestyle and culture of the Roma.


Novi
Pazar:

- On 04.10.2013 CCD  Novi Pazar along with local clubs in the village of Mirovtsi,  village of St. Mikhailovsky, villagesof Zhilino and Pamukchii celebrated "Roma pride". The opening was at 14.00. in the hall of the culture center of the village of Mirovtsi where Roma traditional costume : trousers , bridal dresses (from the 1st and 2nd day Roma wedding) were exposed. Roma women had prepared many traditional Roma cuisine : baklava, pies, breads , cookies , cakes, rolls , boiled pumpkin, rice pudding and more. These dishes were prepared from Roma women,  participating in the female groups. The program was attended by students from School "Vasil Levski",  village of Mirovtsi that are participating in EPA Ethnic Folklore . All attendees were given information materials.

 

Dolna Banya:


- CCD Dolna Banya celebrated "Roma Pride" on October 8, in the building of NS "Rila" with "Exhibition of traditional Roma cuisine." The initiative aims to show that Roma are not only good musicians, singers and dancers , but they also are very good cooks . Culinary exhibition included various pies with cheese, baklava , and cakes from which all present at the festive table had the opportunity to taste. Guests left their wishes and messages on a special poster. The next day, the celebration of the Day of the Roma Pride continued with a big football tournament at stadium "Levski" , which was attended by teams from different neighborhoods.

Schools, participating in the " Reducing Roma children drop out of school" Program also took part in the celebration of "Roma pride" along with the centers for community development and youth volunteer clubs.

And here's what happened in some schools :

 - Primary School "St. Cyril and Methodius ", village of Sarnevo joined the initiative to celebrate October 6 - Day of the Roma pride and culture. On 2/10/13 , in class of EPA - Ethnic Folklore rugs were made ​​of loom woven woolen yarns. On 7/10/13 in the school was conducted a celebration on the holiday. The hall was decorated with an exhibition of crafted rugs,  the  Bulgarian flag and that of the Roma community. Students from EPA groups presented varied entertainment program - poems , stories and songs of famous Roma authors,  dramatization of the story of gypsy folklore. All this was prepared by the teachers, leading the EPA classes.

 - In Vocational School " Atanas Damianov ",  Nikolaevo was held a reading of poems by Usin Kerim and exhibition of drawings by students from 10th and 11th grade .

- Primary school "Hristo Botev ", Bourgas on 05/10/2013 / Saturday / teacher of the EPA ' Ethnic Folklore” classes Iveta Velitchkova with students from the school participated in the roundtable , literary reading and presentation of the project" Youth is tolerance " in the district administration of Burgas.

 - Secondary School "Hristo Botev" Kameno included in the municipal celebration , organized by the moderators of CCD Kameno.

 - Elementary school " Father Paisij”,  village of Dink,  Municipality Maritza also celebrates the Day of the Roma pride with readings of works written by Roma writers , dance and music performances , exhibitions of paintings.

 - Roma Pride 2013 was marked in all schools in Northeastern Bulgaria participating in the program "Reducing Roma children drop out of school" on days  from 4 to 7 October with the motto - "My dream for Bulgaria - to learn and live together". Guided by this motto student parliaments in schools with the support of their teachers organized various initiatives showing that the Roma are part of all other ethnic groups , and there is something to be proud of. Children once again showed that they are united in their diversity - dance together , sing and create, relate with tolerance and attention to its responsibilities and learning their classmates to succeed. Schools become centers of many dance and musical performances, presentation of traditional dishes , costumes, crafts, readings of works written by Roma writers , exhibitions of paintings , exhibitions of antique household items . In High School - Tutrakan , School - Vurbitsa , School - Smyadovo and School - Nichola Kozlevo students took part in the video contest "I am proud that I am Roma, because ... " and "I and my dream for the Roma”.

Youth is Tolerance - combating anti-Roma stereotypes amoung the young people:

Here is how the campaign ran locally:

Blagoevgrad: Within 4 days, the Youth voluntary club on the “Youth is Tolerance” action in Blagoevgrad carried-out a campaign on Roma Pride 2013. The campaign was organized for the first time in the town and represented the first public manifestation of the youth club, which, by means of trainings, campaigns, mutual events and solving cases, encourages for greater tolerance and understanding among young people in the region of Blagoevgrad.

The first activity of the campaign was the projection of thematic video-clips on October 4,, Friday, from 6 pm, in a Blagoevgrad Youth Home’s hall. The video-clips were sent by participants in a video competition, announced by Center “Amalipe”, on two topics: “Why am I proud to be Roma?” and “Me and my dream for Roma”. A lot of young people from Blagoevgrad took part in this competition.

The second activity of the campaign represented a Literary reading with discussion, which happened on October 5, Saturday, from 3 pm, in a Blagoevgrad Youth Home’s hall. During the event, literary works of popular Roma authors were read: Georgi Parushev, Kiril Kirilov, Teodora Krumova, Tatiana Yotova, Dimitar Satirov, Ivan Randov, Tosen Ramark, and others. These works were read before an audience by: Nadelina Ivova, an assistant at the South-west universitity in Blagoevgrad, Anna Kaperska, a young poet and a daughter of local writer Vladimir Kaperski, Jeliazka Stefanova, who shared two of her own poems, Miglena Mihailova, a chairwoman of Association “Lider” in Blagoevgrad and Dimitar Tatarski, regional coordinator of action  “Youth is Tolerance”. The Literary reading was accompanied by commentaries and quiz-like questions, which brought prizes to those, who answered them right. The audience comprised of young people and adults.

On October 6, from 11 am, the voluntary group distributed informational materials on Roma Pride 2013 in the center of Blagoevgrad. The distributed materials were in the form of fliers and badges, which brought joy to both kids and parents. Young people from different ethnic belongings and activists for civil society from the towns of  Belitsa, Ihtiman, Silistra, Razlog and Blagoevgrad took part in this event.

Burgas: A campaign, celebrating Roma Pride 2013, was conducted on October 5 and 6, 2013, by the Youth voluntary club “Youth is Tolerance” in Burgas, with coordinators  Tania Nikolova and Velcho Mihalev.

During the first day of the campaign, in the building of Regional administration Burgas, the young people from the voluntary club shared their presentations on the history, manners, culture, traditions and language of Roma with principals and vice-principals of local schools, teachers, a representative of the Municipality of Sredets, representatives of civil society organizations, students, pupils and citizens, which participated in this meeting-discussion. 

The holiday program on October 6 began with the distribution of fliers and badges on Roma Pride 2013 in the center of Burgas. Subsequently, the program continued with Literary reading of poems, written by Roma authors such as Usin Kerim, Sali Ibrahim, Hristo Hristov and others. During the reading, Lazarina Tileva, a volunteer in the club, read in Romani language the anthem of Roma people “Djelem, Djelem” and translated it in Bulgarian language. The event finished with a discussion, open by Velcho Mihalev, who presented Roma Pride through his point of view and explained why he was proud to be of Roma origin. The discussion passed in talks, in which everyone presented and expressed their impressions and greetings on the holiday.

Shumen: The Youth voluntary club “Youth is Tolerance” in Shumen, with coordinator Silvia Stancheva, organized a Literary reading of poetry by Roma authors, in which university professors participated.

 The event took place on October 5, 2013, from 6 pm, in the “Elena Karamihailova” art gallery in Shumen. At  the entrance, volunteers in the club welcomed the guests and gave them brochures on action “Youth is Tolerance” as well as fliers on Roma Pride 2013. The event began under the sounds of the song “Here is where Bulgaria begins”, which is the anthem of the town of Shumen.

The people, who took part in the reading of Roma poetry, were: Ivo Mihailov, a professor from the Department of Mathematics in the University of Shumen, Ekaterina Topalova, an assistant from the Department of English philology in the University of Shumen, and Nikolay Rusev, a senior expert in the Regional Inspectorate of Education in Shumen. During the reading, soft music sounded, played live by Bozhidar Stoyanov, an assistant from the Department of Mathematics in the University of Shumen, and Ivaylo Gorchev, a teacher at a local school in Shumen. The event was attended by many guests, among whom were Deyan Kolev, chairman of Center “Amalipe” and Teodora Krumova, vice-chairwoman of the center. Deyan Kolev welcomed all guests and greeted them on Roma Pride 2013 in Roma language.

On October 6, 2013, from 5 pm, the campaign continued on the central street of the town of Shumen. There, volunteers from the club distributed fliers and badges and collected wishes from accidental passers, which they stuck to a flipchart.

Plovdiv: On October 5 and 6, the Youth voluntary club “Youth is Tolerance” in Plovdiv, with coordinators Angel Kochev and Radoslav Stiliyanov, organized a campaign on Roma Pirde 2013. On October 5from 10:30 am, in the Central park of the town, on a special poster, everyone, willing to leave their wishes to the Roma people, wrote and drew positive messages and put on paper their dream for the future of Bulgaria. The program consisted also of musical and dancing performances, literary reading on Roma poetry, distribution of fliers by volunteers.

Ilia, a volunteer from the club, danced parts from classical ballet and modern dances, while Andrei, a volunteer as well, performed some Roma and folk songs: “I sat to have dinner”, “Oh, where is my lover”. “Ederlezi”. “Girl Neveno”, “Don’t say, lover, goodnight, “Djelem, Djelem” and others. In the Literary reading, Radoslav, Andrei and Angel took part. The reactions were more than positive. A lot of people stopped by to listen and write their messages.

On October 6, from 2 till 6:30 pm, the campaign went on with distribution of fliers and badges, collection of messages and with a lot of smiles.

 

Vratsa: The Youth voluntary club “Youth is Tolerance” in Vratsa, with coordinator Tihomir Mashov, joined the campaign on the celebration of Roma Pride 2013. 

On October 6, from 10:30, in the center of Vratsa, the voluntary group spread fliers and badges and collected wishes and messages. The wishes and messages were constructive, creative and positive. These, who left their messages, turned to the Roma community warmly and positively and shared that we should all live together on this Earth as one people.


Veliko Turnovo: On October 6 and 7, the Youth voluntary club “Youth is Tolerance” in Veliko Turnovo, with coordinator Romelia Mihtieva, organized a campaign on Roma Pride 2013. The activities on the celebration of the holiday in the town of Veliko Turnovo began on October 6, 2013, with the distribution of informational materials by young volunteers in front of the building of the Central Post Office at 4 pm. On October 7, from 8 pm, in the “TAM” art-club in the town, an event entitled “Holocaust” took place. Guests of the event were students, Mrs. D. Nikolaeva, a regional representative of the Commission for protection against discrimination for the region of Veliko Turnovo, Deyan Kolev, chairman of Center “Amalipe” and Teodora Krumova, vice-chairwoman of the center. Deyan Kolev greeted all guests with a “Welcome”. 

Mrs. Nikolaeva gave more information on how to seek our rights should we ever be subject to discrimination. The “Holocaust” event began with the reading of texts in English and Bulgarian, which common theme was the “Holocaust”. Students from the University of Veliko Turnovo presented one more different view of this historical event. Everybody present managed to see through the eyes of Roma authors, as well as through the ones of people, who survived the “Holocaust”, and saw the great tragedy from another angle. After the reading, a discussion took place and all guests had the opportunity to share how the texts just read made them feel and what they want to tell the rest about these feelings. To summarize, one very interesting and emotional discussion happened.
      
 

 

 


 

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