Europe House Bijelo Polje marked Romani Language Day. To celebrate the occasion, a special programme for children was organised, focusing on the preservation of the Romani language, culture, and traditions.
Through short video clips about Roma life, culture and language, attendees had the opportunity to gain a closer insight into the richness of Roma identity and the importance of preserving their linguistic heritage.
Miloš Kljajević, Head of the Department for Human and Minority Rights, stressed that preserving the Romani language is of paramount importance for the identity, culture and traditions of the Roma people, highlighting the need for greater representation of the language in education, institutions, culture and the media.
“The Romani language is not merely a means of communication, but a cornerstone of a people’s identity. It preserves history, traditions, culture and memories passed down through generations. That is why it deserves a place in schools, institutions, culture and the media, to ensure its preservation and further development,” Kljajević said.
Speaking about the position of the Roma community in Bijelo Polje, he said that the local administration would continue to support initiatives promoting equality, social inclusion and the preservation of cultural heritage.
“We are proud of the Roma community, whose talent and engagement contribute to the development of Bijelo Polje. We will continue to support projects aimed at education, employment, social inclusion and the preservation of cultural heritage. Our goal is for Bijelo Polje to be a town of tolerance, equality and mutual respect,” Kljajević stressed.
“The children will perform recitations and songs so that they do not forget Roma culture and traditions. Preserving the Romani language and culture means a great deal to us, because they are an essential part of our identity,” said Dženada Rizvanović from the Roma Office of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje.
She noted that the Romani language was spoken from early childhood, but stressed the importance of making continuous efforts to preserve it and pass it on to younger generations.
“We initially have to adapt to the country in which we live, but it is important that we do not forget our culture, traditions and language,” Rizvanović said.
Vasilija Furtula, organiser of the event at Europe House Bijelo Polje, said the programme, entitled “Many Voices, One Story”, focused on the importance of the Romani language, its preservation and transmission to younger generations, and the promotion of Roma culture and identity. The event was organised in cooperation with the Roma Office of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje, with the participation of pupils from Pavle Žižić Primary School in Njegnjevo.
“The aim is to help both the Roma and the majority community work together to preserve the language, culture and traditions. All progress comes through cooperation, which is why it is important that this event should not be limited to marking a single day, but that we should work every day to preserve the Romani language,” Furtula said.
She added that the event placed particular emphasis on engaging young people and presenting Roma culture through various forms of artistic expression.
“We enriched the programme with recitations, stories told by our youngest participants, a musical performance and personal experiences highlighting the importance of preserving Roma identity and traditions,” Furtula said.
The programme was organised by Europe House Bijelo Polje in cooperation with the Roma Office of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje.