Saluting the European Roma

The Hungarian Cultural Institute in Brussels celebrated the International Roma Day with a series of events. Lívia Járóka MEP attended both celebrations.

On the 3rd of April a professional discussion with work title „Integration of the Roma in Europe” took place in the Espace Senghor cultural centre, and on the 7th of April the movie called „Nyócker” was presented in the European Parliament. Lívia Járóka, EPP-ED delegate of Fidesz-MPSZ greeted the guests.

Járóka spoke of the Roma-image that lives in the majority society. She said that very few facts are known about the everyday life and problems of the Roma, especially on the level of politics. She stressed how important it is to showdown with romantic stereotypes, and for the politics to rely on academic research that present a realistic image on the situation of Romani communities instead. The media also plays a special part in making the life and struggles of the Roma known, and to show the majority the prospects given by the Roma; to show them what they might lose by the economic and social exclusion of the Roma.

 

Angéla Kóczé, president of the „Polgár” Foundation and Dr. Ferenc Zsigó, associate professor of the King Zsigmond College also took part on the meeting. Prior the discussion, the award winning works of the Open Society Institute’s art-photo contest, „Chacipe” (Reality) were presented.

The screening on Monday was organised by the Hungarian Cultural Centre and the EUNIC (European Union National Institutes for Culture) in the frame of European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, 2008. After the screening, Vaya Con Dios gave a concert on the invitation of Hans-Gert Pöttering, president of the European Parliament.