In Bódvalenke, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, Minister of Human Resources Zoltán Balog spoke of the importance of culture, work, education and solidarity at an event to mark International Roma Day, within the framework of which a wide range of programmes helped to present the varied culture of the Roma people.

In the very poor and tiny village with only two-hundred inhabitants, mainly Roma, but which is widely known throughout Europe because of the frescoes on the walls of the houses there, Minister Balog drew attention to the need for solidarity between the Government, non-governmental organisations and people of Roma and non-Roma descent. There is a long road ahead of us, if we wish to create prosperity in this region, but this is what the Government is working on, he added.

It was during the Hungarian Presidency of the European Union that the EU decided that there was a need for European cooperation to help local communities combat their inherited disadvantages so that poverty and unemployment should not be regenerated. Hungary is moving in the right direction; the Government’s activities in the interests of inclusion, which has already receive international recognition, are beginning to be felt.

In Bódvalenke, Roma artists from Hungary and abroad have painted, and plan to continue to paint huge frescoes on the walls of the houses. This has resulted in the creation of an open-air exhibition of European Roma art, which is drawing tourists to the small settlement near the Slovak border.

This year's series of events was opened by a photo exhibition entitled Vidas Gitanas - Gypsies in Spain. On Friday, there was a demonstration of Roma cooking, and local craftsmen also showed off their creations. The so-called “Albert Hall” in Bódvalenke presented a new exhibition entitled The Heidegger Story: Roma Art and European Culture.

Following the event, an international roundtable discussion was held by Roma non-governmental organisations from eight countries and representatives of both Hungarian and international organisations that are involved in running Roma programmes. They presented their standpoint with relation to Roma integration and made recommendations for the improvement of conditions.

On Saturday, a Gala presentation entitled Cartwheel - Roma Values Cultural Festival, which is funded by the Ministry of Human Resources, was held in Budapest, and at which in addition to dance and music, visitors were treated to Roma food, crafts workshops, a fashion exhibition and a show of musical instrument manufacturing. The programmes included the Roma Night gala evening and the Romani Design fashion show.

The Minister of Human Resources emphasised that the beautiful face of Roma culture, which helps combat discrimination, must be made more known. However, the Government still has much to do and this is why Roma integration and inclusion was included in the programme of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU. Both Europe and Hungary have an interest in assuring that the Roma communities of member states can make a living and a future in the land of their birth. The Government wishes to be a partner in enabling them to find viable solutions to their problems. Zoltán Balog explained that the Government was the first to develop a national inclusion strategy and subsequently sign an agreement with the National Roma Self-Government. The Roma are an integral part of the nation and their integration is the common goal of everyone, he added.

According to President of the National Roma Self-Government Flórián Farkas, 2013 will be the year of success for the Roma people, because the effects of framework agreements previously concluded with local governments will be most noticeable this year.

The first Roma World Congress was held in London in 1971, at which the delegates adopted the symbol, flag, motto and anthem of the Roma people and declared April 8 to be International Roma Day.

(MTI)