Newsroom
Kosovo celebrates International Roma Day, 8 April
PRISTINA 6 April 2001
PRISTINA, 6 April 2001 - This Sunday, 8 April, is International Roma Day and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is sponsoring several events to mark the occasion.In Prizren, on Saturday 7 April, Roma Cultural NGO "Durmis Aslano" will stage a theatre performance in the Romani language. The play "Magic," which was written by local Roma author Nexhip Menekshe, will start at 18:00 hours in the Cultural House.
On Sunday April 8th, the Prizren Roma NGO "Rom" hosts a performance by Roma dance and music groups in the Cultural House from 11:00 hours. Another Roma NGO "Roma" will stage a cultural performance in Peja / Pec at 13:00 hours the same day.This year is the 30th anniversary of International Roma Day. Its main purpose is to celebrate Roma identity and culture. This year's special anniversary, however, also provides an important opportunity to raise awareness of the rights of the Roma people. As well as the events in Kosovo, events will take place in over 150 towns and cities around the world.
The Roma are Europe's largest minority group. Roma communities can be found in all European countries, particularly in Eastern Europe. However, they are also the most endangered community in Europe. Roma people are frequently subjected to racial attacks and discrimination. Many have been displaced and live in poverty.
Tens of thousands of Roma and members of the related Ashkaelia and Egyptian communities from Kosovo - including most of the intellectuals - have been forced to flee their homes during the past few years and are now scattered as refugees around Europe. Their communities in places such as Pristina, Mitrovice/Kosovska Mitrovica and Gjilan/Gnjilane have been largely destroyed.Security and the right to return are two of the biggest issues facing them. Many of their houses have been destroyed; access to education for Roma children is limited and those who do attend school are often bullied.
The OSCE has been working to support the Roma, Ashkaelia and Egyptian communities in a number of ways. It monitors their situation on an ongoing basis; has helped establish several NGOs throughout Kosovo; and is also encouraging the communities to develop their own voice through political representation, cross-community networking - at home and abroad.Saturday's theatre performance in Prizren will be the first Roma language play to be staged in Kosovo since 1998. Up until then, there was a vibrant Roma theatre tradition in Kosovo.
For information, contact OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Claire Trevena, Spokesperson, Tel: (+381-38) 500-162 x260 / mobile: +377-44-500-150; e-mail: press@omik.org / website: www.osce.org/kosovo
On Sunday April 8th, the Prizren Roma NGO "Rom" hosts a performance by Roma dance and music groups in the Cultural House from 11:00 hours. Another Roma NGO "Roma" will stage a cultural performance in Peja / Pec at 13:00 hours the same day.This year is the 30th anniversary of International Roma Day. Its main purpose is to celebrate Roma identity and culture. This year's special anniversary, however, also provides an important opportunity to raise awareness of the rights of the Roma people. As well as the events in Kosovo, events will take place in over 150 towns and cities around the world.
The Roma are Europe's largest minority group. Roma communities can be found in all European countries, particularly in Eastern Europe. However, they are also the most endangered community in Europe. Roma people are frequently subjected to racial attacks and discrimination. Many have been displaced and live in poverty.
Tens of thousands of Roma and members of the related Ashkaelia and Egyptian communities from Kosovo - including most of the intellectuals - have been forced to flee their homes during the past few years and are now scattered as refugees around Europe. Their communities in places such as Pristina, Mitrovice/Kosovska Mitrovica and Gjilan/Gnjilane have been largely destroyed.Security and the right to return are two of the biggest issues facing them. Many of their houses have been destroyed; access to education for Roma children is limited and those who do attend school are often bullied.
The OSCE has been working to support the Roma, Ashkaelia and Egyptian communities in a number of ways. It monitors their situation on an ongoing basis; has helped establish several NGOs throughout Kosovo; and is also encouraging the communities to develop their own voice through political representation, cross-community networking - at home and abroad.Saturday's theatre performance in Prizren will be the first Roma language play to be staged in Kosovo since 1998. Up until then, there was a vibrant Roma theatre tradition in Kosovo.
For information, contact OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Claire Trevena, Spokesperson, Tel: (+381-38) 500-162 x260 / mobile: +377-44-500-150; e-mail: press@omik.org / website: www.osce.org/kosovo