An exhibition presenting the works of Roma artists was inaugurated by Deputy State Secretary for Social Inclusion Katalin Langerné Victor at Szabadság square. The artists aim to present Roma culture and everyday life through photos and paintings.

In her speech, the Deputy State Secretary praised the members of the Contemporary Roma Gallery for serving as an example of social inclusion. In spite of their disadvantageous situation, they have managed to break out and achieve great successes; their community cooperates naturally with non-Roma people and NGOs as well. This in itself brings a positive message regarding social inclusion. Motivation, willingness and commitment demonstrated by the Roma Gallery are essential for achieving successes, she added.

At the inauguration of the AROMA Festival, organised for the second year in a row, Mayor of 5th district Antal Rogán emphasised that these artists as both Roma and Hungarian citizens enrich and shape Hungarian culture by their acts.

The Roma Gallery was founded by arts students and autodidact artists and held its first exhibition in 2010. Its president, Tibor Balogh was the first well-known Roma artist to graduate from the Hungarian University of Fine Arts.

The exhibition, which will be open to visitors until 19 October, presents the works of contemporary Roma artists, such as Kálmán Káli-Horváth, Zsolt Vári, Ferenc Kunhegyesi, Tibor Balogh as well as the award-winning photos of the Chachipe competition.

(Ministry of Human Resources)