Roma Inclusion Office

The founder and the Publisher of the Periodical: The Roma Inclusion Office EDITORIAL of the Government of AP Vojvodina Dear Readers, Editor in Chief: Duško Jovanović You are reading the October issue of our magazine, with the opening article on the ceremonial start Managing Editor: of the new academic year at the Preschool Teacher Aleksandra Mićić Training College “Mihailo Palov” in Vršac, and we pre- The Team: sent you yet another successful Roma woman entre- Dragana Rajić preneur and the project Mediation for Roma. Tijana Čubrilo Under the “NGO” section, we presented the Jovana Davidović European Roma Information Centre, a new non-gover- nmental organization “Romag” and the organization Correspondents: “The Power of Family”, which organized this year's Ferenc Koso Children's Week in Novi Sad. Roma Coordinators of APV The “Culture” section entails three articles, the Ivana Koprivica first being on public discussion entitled “Media and marginalized groups”, another on “Trifun Dimić Poetry Translation into Roma: Days” and the third one on the book by Trifun Dimić. Igor Dimić As always, the last article focuses on the famous Translation into English: Roma. This time it was about the actor Michael Caine. Jezički centar Life College Finally, we remind you that from now on, with credits to the Research and Education Center and to Technical Preparation and Printing: the Preschool Teacher Training College “Mihailo Palov” MONDO-GRAF, Novi Sad in Vršac, our publication can be also read in its elec- www.mondograf.co.rs tronic form at www.rec.org.rs/bilten/.

Circulation: Your editorial board 1000

Address: Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 25, 21000 Novi Sad [email protected] www.inkluzijaroma.vojvodina.gov.rs Roma Inclusion Office

ENCOURAGEMENT TO MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE STATUS OF THE ROMA COMMUNITY IN VOJVODINA

Signing the contracts

The Provincial Secretary for WIthin the first Call, funds to Through the second Call, in Economy, Employment and hire Coordinators for Roma issues which the funds were dedicated Gender Equality Miroslav Vasin, in our province were awarded. to the development of local acti- today signed agreements with re- Local governments of Ruma, Inđija on plans for Roma in Vojvodina’s presentatives of local gover- and Vršac received per 240,000 local governments, the funds nments, to which the Secretariat dinars for this purpose, i.e. to fi- were approved for eight munici- has awarded funds through two nance the salaries of the Roma palities. The value of the Call is Calls intended for improving the Coordinators in the period of 6 million dinars, and the funds status of Roma. months, in their municipalities. were given to municipalities of

2 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Roma Inclusion Office

help resolve them. European level, as one of the “Today we signed an best-run regional policies in this agreement with three area in Europe. “At the moment, more municipalities on according to official data, there the introduction of pla- are more Roma students enrolled ces for the Coordinator at the University of Novi Sad than for Roma issues, which in all of Europe combined. The should contribute to the same goes for secondary schools. direct communication We focused our entire campaign between local gover- focused on education, housing nment and the Roma and employment. We have enco- community and the envi- uraged the establishment of ronment. Since we have many enterprises and craft already signed two con- shops, founded by the Roma”, tracts with the five mu- Miroslav Vasin presented to the nicipalities this year, we representatives of the media on now have 13 municipali- this occasion. ties in Vojvodina with Duško Jovanović, Director of Roma Coordinators, who the Roma Inclusion Office, con- provided direct commu- gratulated the beneficiaries of nication with their Roma the allocated funds for the cou- citizens. The provincial rage to enter into this, as he government bears the said, very complex task, which is cost of six the month sa- called the work on solving the is- lary for the Coordinators, sues in the Roma community, because of what we si- which is very difficult. Jovanović gned the contracts to- said that this is not a work that is day. We signed agree- now only concerned with Serbia ments on financing and its administration but gene- development of local ac- rally the whole of Europe. tion plans for solving the Director of the Roma Inclusion problems of the Roma Office stated that the core pro- community in the next blem of his community is that year with ten more mu- Roma are almost non-existent in nicipalities, in order to the institutions, from local self- create the conditions to -government to the republican help them and find out authorities. “The goal is to find the exact situation that educated young Roma as equal Ruma, Sremski Karlovci, Inđija, will make it easier to get to the partners, ranging from local go- Ada, Novi Bečej, Sremska best ways to help our Roma in vernment to state authorities as Mitrovica, Bač, Žitište and Vršac. each of the municipalities with well as in international and do- Provincial Secretary Miroslav which we have signed contracts.” mestic institutions, in addressing Vasin said that the interest was Provincial Secretary Vasin a number of issues and problems greater than the quota, noting reminded on the fact that for ei- that we have as an entity,” said that here, in addition to the fight year in a row we have been the provincial government nancial issue, it was much more leading the policy with regard to Jovanović. important for the society to re- improving the situation of Roma, cognize these issues and want to which was recognized at the www.vojvodina.gov.rs

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 3 Roma Inclusion Office

CONCLUDING CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO THE PROJECT FOR IMPROVING THE EMPLOYABILITY OF ROMA WOMEN IN VOJVODINA

Concluding Conference Provincial Secretary Miroslav Vasin, Director of the Roma Inclusion Office, Duško Jovanović and ambassador of Norway to Serbia Nils Ragnar Kamsvag, presented at the final conference on the project “Improving the employability of Roma women in five municipalities in Vojvodina” in the provincial government, the importance and impact of the project on marginalized Roma community and the stimulus that is provided to Roma women to start their own businesses. Gratitude On the behalf of donors, each newly formed company received 1,000 euros for the purchase of equipment necessary for the Director of the Office smooth start of work, in the form of computer equipment, tools, expressed special gratitude to machinery, spare parts, etc., as well as 130 euros for start-up bu- the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway for recognizing this pro- siness package. The obligation of the candidates is to continuou- ject and decided to help the sly operate for at least 12 months after they have opened their Roma community integrate into business and pay contributions for the compulsory social insuran- society in this way. Further go- ce. Ten companies whose owners and founders are Romani women als are to devise similar and were opened within the project. even better projects for the Roma community. significant efforts in providing pported a number of projects support to members of the that sought to improve the sta- Previous accomplishments Roma national minority in tus of citizens and to bring them Vojvodina. “Today’s very impor- closer to advanced processes”, Provincial Secretary Miro tant activity is recognized by said Miroslav Vasin, who distin- slav Vasin said that the the European institutions. guished the success achieved in Provincial Government and the Norway, as a traditional friend the fields of housing and educa- Secretariat of Economy invest of our country has so far su- tion of Roma in Vojvodina.

4 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Roma Inclusion Office

Successfully implemented Office for Roma Inclusion of the project Autonomous Province of Vojvodina STRATEGIC PLAN 2014−2017. Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway emphasized that this Socio-economic project holds the priorities for context which they advocate (economic development, entrepreneur- The European Co- ship, minority and gender equa- mmission defines social lity). “The only way to create a exclusion as a process better Serbia is to invest in eco- due to which certain in- nomic development. Therefore, dividuals or groups are we support a number of projec- at the margins of socie- ts related to the improvement ty and due to which of the economic situation, and they are not able to ful- the special focus is put on mar- ly participate in society ginalized groups. A umber of due to poverty, lack of our projects are related to basic knowledge and come, education, as well as parti- Roma in Vojvodina because it is education opportunities, discrimi- cipation in social networks and important that all stakeholders nation or other. The reversed pro- activities within the community. equally participate in society”, cess, that of social inclusion is As regards the society, this was said the ambassador. defined as a process which ena- evident even before the Decade bles those who are at risk of soci- of Roma Inclusion, which has rai- al exclusion to receive opportuni- sed these problems within the so- “This project is a mo- ties and means which are cial and political agenda, in exam- del that clearly delivers re- necessary for their full participa- ples of discrimination and the sults and our greatest sa- tion in the economic, social and inability to access institutions in tisfaction is to see that the cultural life and the achievement all aspect (education, emplo- project is well implemen- of a standard of life and level of yment, healthcare, housing) and a ted. We will continue to well-being which is considered serious social distance, with nu- usual in the society they live in. merous cases of violence. Apart support projects related to The Roma are recognized as from that, the state did not have entrepreneurship, econo- one of the most vulnerable groups functional mechanisms which mic development and gen- both in the EU and on the natio- would systematically work on the der equality.” nal level in the Republic of Serbia. solution of these problems, nor Ambassador of the The social exclusion of Roma in were the problems of the Roma Serbia, their inability to use all population visible and present wi- Kingdom of Norway, their potential and participate in thin the political agenda. Nils Ragner Kamsvag social relations is obvious at every According to the 2011 census, turn. Also, the lack of readiness 147.604 citizens of the Republic of In the end, an open invita- of the society and state to enable Serbia stated they are members of tion to the Ambassador remains the Roma to move from the mar- the Roma national minority, which that, when time permits, he vi- gins to the main flows of society is 2.05% of the total population, sits some of the companies on- has long been evident. Excluded and 42.391 individuals in the site and sees how do the com- individuals or groups are faced Autonomous Province of Vojvo panies work. with institutional barriers which dina, which is 1.25% of the total significantly reduce employment population. Considering that ac- Tijana Čubrilo opportunities and generating in- cording to the 2002 census, the

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 5 Roma Inclusion Office number of those declaring them- Minorities, there is a total of 156 on, the right to vote, own proper- selves as Roma was 29.057, we Roma settlements in the ty, etc. Roma coordinators and have an increase of almost 70% of Autonomous Province of Vojvo local Roma offices, which are edu- Roma over the period of 10 years dina. In 35 of the 45 municipalities cated to provide expert help and in Vojvodina, which is, we believe i.e. towns in the Autonomous support during the procedures of to a large extent, the result of the Province of Vojvodina, members status regulation, hold a signifi- work of the Office for Roma of the Roma national community cant position in solving the issues Inclusion, and the campaigns whi- live in isolated Roma settlements. of registering for birth certificates ch have encouraged members of 1 The largest number of Roma live among the Roma national commu- the Roma national minority to de- in very poor housing conditions, nity. clare themselves as such. both in the Roma settlements, Some institutions, like the According to estimates, the num- and in urban environments, exclu- National Employment Service and ber of members of the Roma nati- ding a very small number of Roma the Social Work Centre, have du- onal minority is three to five ti- who have been successfully inte- ring the previous years begun li- mes larger than the number grated into the national majority. sting their users according to na- determined by the official statisti- In illegally built settlements, the tionality, but these numbers are cs, because many of them live in Roma live without documentation not any more realistic, as the unregistered settlements, are not regarding ownership, in other’s user is not required to state his or registered or do not have a per- objects, i.e. on other’s land with her nationality. manent address, they do not have extremely poor or no utilities, in Official data states that the personal documentation, they de- unsanitary and unhealthy conditi- educational level of the Roma is clare themselves as members of ons, and are often at hygienic and significantly lower than is average other national groups, etc. epidemiological risk. The situation for the general population, which According to the data of the is especially difficult with the ho- influences their difficult position Strategy for Improvement of the using of individuals who have in the labor market. Monitoring Position of Roma in the Republic been returned to Serbia based on the data on the number of Roma of Serbia, it is estimated that the the Readmission Agre-ement, and children/students included in the total number of Roma living in the Roma displaced from Kosovo and regular educational process at all Republic of Serbia is between Metohija due to unregulated resi- level in the Autonomous Province 250.000 and 500.000. Also, accor- dence issues. All of these pro- of Vojvodina during the 2003/2004 ding to different estimates, the blems are further complicated by academic year, shows that there true number of Roma living in a lack of personal documents. The is a constant trend of increase. At Vojvodina is around 80.000. A cer- lack of personal documents (iden- the same time, the rate of aban- tain number of Roma declare tification cards, health and emplo- doning education is also the most themselves as members of other yment cards, a lack of birth certi- prominent among these students. nations due to prejudice and di- ficates), apart from the legal The highest percent of dissipation scrimination that exists in society invisibility which it causes to a is still present during the second towards the Roma. According to portion of the members of the cycle of elementary education wi- the data from the Information on Roma national minority in official thin elementary schools, when the Position of the Roma National state documents, such as a gene- transferring from elementary to Community in the Autonomous ral census, also leads to the inabi- high school, i.e. continued educa- Province of Vojvodina of the lity to exercise a whole series of tion at higher or high levels of Provincial Secretariat for Regulati rights, from the right to healthca- education. According to the data ons, Administration and National re and social care, labor, educati- for the period between 2003 and

1 On the other hand, according to the report of the Provincial Ombudsman, there are 93 Roma settlements in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in 28 local self-governments, and a total of 40.000 Roma live here. More than 40% of these settlements are slumms which are located in high-risk areas, and in 85% of these municipalities the neccessary acts for the legalization of these settlements have not been adopted.

6 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Roma Inclusion Office

2007, a third of the total number employment of Roma, one of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the of elementary school graduates problems is the lack of mechani- Ministry of Education, Science enrolled into high school, and less sms for monitoring the measures and Technological Development, than half of Roma high school stu- which are being taken regarding as well as the Office for Human dents graduated from high school. the employment and self-emplo- and Minority Rights, and those mi- An even smaller number of stu- yment of Roma. The previous me- nistries with which cooperation is dents who have completed their asures of the National Employ yet to be established: the Ministry four-year high school education ment Service for employment of Labor, Employment, Veteran continue their education at uni- have mostly monitored users du- and Social Policy, the Ministry of versity, i.e. colleges. The applica- ring the period foreseen by the Public Administration and Local tion of affirmative measures has competitions, and there was no Self-Government. significantly reduced this problem. delayed assessment of their ef- Apart from the ministries, the Of the total number of Roma fect and influence. Office has cooperated with the encompassed by the 2011 census, National Council of Roma and the 27.2% are economically active, The Office for Roma SIPRU Team of the Government of and within the work-able age Inclusion and its the Republic of Serbia. The coope- 58.2% of Roma are economically environment ration with the Office for European active. The basic characteristic of Integrations has not been intensi- the socio-economic position of The Office in a national and ve, and the Office for Roma the Roma is a high unemployment provincial context Inclusion has recognized this sta- rate and a low rate of economic Currently, the Office is an in- keholder as extremely important activity. As has been previously stitution with an established cre- in accomplishing its strategic goals stated, since 2007 a total of 103 dibility and position, which is si- regarding the inclusion in the pro- companies have been established gnificantly visible and recognized cess of EU integration and IPA pro- in the Autonomous Province of by both the state and provincial gramming. The National Employ Vojvodina, through self-emplo- institutions, bodies and organiza- ment Service, the Office for yment competitions for the Roma. tions. Even though the Office has Human and Minority Rights, uni- However, these companies have a mandate only in the Autonomous versities and other institutions are had significant difficulties in func- Province of Vojvodina itself, with also of great importance for the tioning and surviving on the mar- its activities it has had a certain realization of measures foreseen ket due to low qualifications and influence on the processes of in- by this strategic plan. a lack of management skills. This clusion on the national level as At the provincial level, the is why the Office for Roma well. The representatives of the Office has established close coope- Inclusion has with the Provincial Office actively participate in nati- ration which it will continue to de- Secretariat for Economy, Employ onal events important for the im- velop with the Provincial Secretariat ment and Gender Equality, and provement of the position of the for Economy, Employment and with the support of the EU and Roma, and the representatives of Gender Equality, the Provincial the RSEDP 2 program, piloted a the Office are often guests in mu- Secretariat for Healthcare, Social program during 2011 and 2012 nicipalities in central and Policy and Demography, the which provides support to self- southern Serbia, transferring Provincial Secretariat for Education, -employment which entails 12 experiences and good practices Administration and National months of monitoring and mentor (Medveđa, Kruševac, Požarevac, Communities, the Provincial and technical support to the ne- Čačak, etc.). This is why the Institute of Social Welfare. The wly-established Roma companies. Office has recognized as impor- European Affairs Fund is an institu- Of the 20 established companies, tant stakeholders in the process tion of the Provincial Government 17 have survived, a fact which de- of strategic planning the ministri- with which the Office for Roma monstrates the success of this es with which it has cooperated Inclusion has intensified its coope- program. When it comes to the well: the Ministry of Health, the ration at present.

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 7 Roma Inclusion Office

Local self-governments, local ted. On the other hand, it was ples. With its migration policy, the public institutions and public com- determined that there are still European Union has also, indirec- panies, Roma coordinators, civil gaps present where resources tly, aimed interstate and national society organizations, internatio- exceeding those of the Office for measures towards the Roma popu- nal organizations (the Open Roma Inclusion of the Government lation, considering that a large Society Institute, the OSCE, the of the Autonomous Province of number of migrants are of Roma UNDP, the European Council), em- Vojvodina need to be employed: nationality. This is especially visi- bassies of other countries (Norway the needs of the Roma population ble during the readmission process, and others) are also very impor- are complex and numerous, the which entails the return of a large tant stakeholders with which the territory covered by the Office is number of Roma into the Republic Office is implementing or planning large, and the Office cannot of Serbia, thus into Vojvodina as partnerships and cooperation. equally encompass its entirety well. During an analysis of the with its present human and mate- The Decade of Roma Inclusion expectations the listed stakehol- rial resources. This is why the is not an EU initiative, but it has ders have from the Office for Office is still working on increa- had a profound influence on EU Roma Inclusion, it has been con- sing its resources and developing policies and mechanisms, in order cluded that the Office has the partnerships to overcome these to make the Roma issue more vi- strengths which are needed for obstacles. sible and in order to allocate lar- the implementation of its basic ger funds for the social inclusion goal: employed experts, extensi- The Office in an EU of Roma as a long-term process, ve knowledge about the issues of context and to develop institutions which the Roma population in the would support and implement Autonomous Province of Vojvo When it comes to the policies this process. The Office for Roma dina, excellent knowledge about of the European Union in the field Inclusion is a unique mechanism the situation in the field, skills of Roma inclusion, it cannot be not only in the Western Balkans, and knowledge about managing said that the EU has adopted a uni- but in Europe as well. The work projects and EU projects, an esta- form policy or mechanism which of the Office has been recognized blished magazine, a good par- would improve the position of all as a good practice example, and tnership network, excellent re- Roma in all member states and the report of the European sults in the fields of education those wishing to become them. On Commission regarding the pro- and employment, and it has also the other hand, indirectly, with its gress of the Republic of Serbia in been widely recognized as an mechanisms for funding programs the process of European integrati- example of good practice. In which encourage social deve- ons states: “Encouraging results October 2012, the Open Society lopment, the EU targets marginali- have been achieved through Institute from Budapest and the zed populations, the Roma among employment measures aimed at European Commission organized them, and documents such as the the Roma, especially in Vojvo the “Mayors Making the Most of Lisbon Strategy and the 2020 dina”. The Government of the EU Funds for Roma Inclusion Strategy, as well as the documents Autonomous Province of Vojvo Network” conference, where in- deriving from them, encourage the dina has, after the adoption of stitutions and local self-gover- development of policies and prac- the National Strategy for Impro nments were awarded for good tices which should lead to a more vement of the Position of Roma, practice examples in the field of uniform and “intelligent, sustaina- with the establishment of the improving the position of the ble and integrative growth”. The Office for Roma Inclusion, practi- Roma in Europe. During the rese- open method of coordination is a cally shown a concrete way to in- arch and case study preparation concept established in order to stitutionalize the political will and for Serbia, the Office provided lo- bring social policies of European operationalize the actions aimed gistical support to cities and mu- states closer, and coordinate them at a substantial inclusion of Roma nicipalities which were nomina- in their basic elements and princi- into society.

8 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Education

* Interview with Ljiljana Gantar, President of the “Društvo Raspustilište”

ARRANGING FRESH FLOWERS

Photo: Archive of the interviewee Participants of the workshop

* Where and when did the Arranging fre- The project – workshop of Arranging fresh sh flowers workshop take place? flowers was held during September and early

* Why was the course organized precisely for Roma women? How essential is it for them and in what way? While planning the course, the “Društvo Raspustilište” was guided by data from the National Employment Service, according to which on 31/12/2013, there were 2,522 unemployed Roma women on the labor market. Bearing in mind that demographic trends predict a rise in the number of Roma of working age, we were guided by the idea that education and acquiring new knowledge and skills is the best way to find employment or self-employment. For this reason, we have offered the course in which the students can gain practical knowledge and skills necessary for making arrangements for different occasions, making bouquets and wreaths as well as to obtain information about the conditions and ways to open their own shops. Another reason that made Raspustilište decide for this marginalized group of women is the fact that the start of this type of small business does not require large start-up funds, and also this job can turn into a family business (through collecting, drying and florist supply with the necessary supporting plant material).

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 9 Education

October this year in Novi Sad in Provincial Secretariat for Economy, rial for flower shop, training in 20 Radnicka street. Employment and Gender Equality. arranging fresh flowers and provide information on the conditions * Who was the organizer * How many participants and how to open their own flower and how did the idea come were at the workshop? shops. up for such a workshop? The workshop, which was im- The organizer of the wor- plemented in eight meetings of 3 * Do you have any simi- kshop was “Društvo Raspustilište”. academic classes, had the total of lar projects in plan? These workshops were previously 9 participants, and 7 of them Given the enormous satisfac- organized by this society, and this completed the workshop and got tion of the workshop participants, was the first time that the wor- delivered their certificates upon their willingness to acquire new kshop was organized and offered the completion. knowledge and skills, Raspu precisely to Roma women to train stilište, given the capacity and in- them for being able to find work * What was the aim of frastructure, plans to continue easily, gaining new knowledge and this workshop? with this kind of training, such as skills, economic empowerment The main objective of the winter program of flower arran- and the promotion of entreprene- workshop was to train partici- ging, training for tailoring and urship. The project is organized pants for collecting, drying, pre- sewing. under the auspices of the paring and producing plant mate- Tijana Čubrilo

10 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Photo-reportage

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 11 Education

AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES

Interns in the Office The awarding of certificates and gifts ceremony The program was launched in the academic year 2003/2004, concluded the eleventh year and since then, more than 400 undergraduate and graduate stu- of the university internship dents have successfully completed the program. It is an opportu- program at the Assembly, nity for young people to learn about the work of the Assembly, Provincial Government, the Government and provincial authorities, but also to form a ne- Provincial administration twork of aware, young people dedicated to the democratic pro- and funds, departments and cess. The University of Novi Sad has developed this program on institutes founded by the the basis of an agreement on cooperation with the Assembly of Autonomous Province of AP Vojvodina and provincial governments, along with organizatio- Vojvodina for the year nal and expert support from the OSCE Mission to Serbia. 20013/2014.

12 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Education

Words of support This is work experience that and central government policies you can use in your further with a lot more information in Prof. Dr Pavle Sekeruš, work and education. I hope this your hands.” Vice-Rector of the University of is an incentive to continue to Novi Sad awarded the certifica- be active in job search and Interns at the Office tes, and referred to the fact further education because it is that, of the total number of the key to your future career.” The Roma Inclusion Office students who finished the work Maja Mićić, Senior Advisor traditionally participates in this internship program, 19% of yo- for Public Administration, also program, and has so far had about ung people continued with a addressed the alumni interns, 30 interns. This year, four of them form of work arrangement in as a representative of the OSCE have successfully finished the in- the place of assigned intern- Mission to Serbia: “I was given ternship at the Office, and the ship. He also pointed out that the honor to congratulate you two were later engaged and given there is a great interest among all on the completion of work the opportunity for additional tra- the students for this program, internship. I want to emphasize ining. The Office is particularly and there are many more appli- that we are pleased to hear that proud of this fact, as this year a cants than the predicted num- so many students have continu- very small number of interns re- ber of places. “I believe that ed to work in the institutions of mained on the place of their in- you have acquired significant Vojvodina, and we support that. ternship. experience and knowledge, as The aim is for you to be able to well as acquired new contacts. influence the local, provincial Tijana Čubrilo

Pavle Sekeruš, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 13 Employment

FORUM ON ROMA EMPLOYMENT

Forum on Roma employment southern Serbia) by providing as well as representatives of PGF took place at the Assembly of daily support to associations and teams and users of their servi- Vojvodina, organized by the institutions in applying to donors ces. Know How Center (CPZV) from for funds to implement projects Miroslav Vasin emphasized Novi Sad, Roma Center for that improve the status of the the importance of active partici- Democracy (RCD) from Bujanovac Roma population. PGF teams pation of national and internatio- and Citizens’ Association provide support to associations nal institutions and organizations Romanipen from Kragujevac. The and institutions to develop the in the process of improving the aim of the Forum was to present resources and capacity, thus con- status of Roma in education, projects and ideas for the emplo- tributing to the development and employment and housing. He yment of Roma, as well as to integration of the Roma commu- also stressed the efforts made by show the examples of good prac- nity. the Provincial Government in the tice in the field of employment. The Employment Forum was employment of Roma in the pro- Since 2013, these three asso- attended by The Provincial Se vincial administration as well as ciations have implemented the cretary for Economy, Employ in the announcement of the Calls PGF program in Serbia, CPZV ment and Gender Equality, Miro allocated for self-employment of (PGF team Vojvodina), Citizens’ slav Vasin, Director of the Roma Roma. Association Romanipen (PGF Inclusion Office Duško Jovanović, The event presented exam- team central Serbia) and Roma Director of the Provincial Service ples of good practice with entre- Center for Democracy (PGF team for Employment, Nebojša Kukić, preneurs from Vranje and with a

14 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Employment construction company from Odžaci, who all highlighted “The initiative of the Open Society Institute Budapest to en- the importance of this kind gage with PGF teams to support Roma NGOs in the whole country of support that was of vital is of utmost importance. We had a problem for years with the importance for them. lack of capacity of our NGOs for writing and implementation of The presented results projects by the EU model. Today, this is no longer an obstacle oblige the institutions and and therefore I appeal to Roma NGOs to use the free services by organizations to more ener- PGF teams in the preparation and implementation of projects getically and actively initia- that will directly contribute to improving the status of Roma. If te these and similar pro- we as an institution could get the support of PGF team from Vojvodina to prepare and successfully implement the project grams to support the Roma “Enhancing the employability of Roma women in five communiti- population in order to deve- es in Vojvodina” and on the project “Capacity building of the lop not only the Roma po- Roma Inclusion Office”, which have contributed to strengthening pulation, but also the socie- the capacity of the Office and to opening of ten companies with ty in which we live. Roma women as founders, then NGOs can and should to that as well”, said Duško Jovanović, Director of the Roma Inclusion Aleksandra Mićić Office.

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 15 Employment

A CHANCE FOR SUCCESS

Branka Bošković In this issue we will present Branka Bošković from Bezdan who started her own business through the provincial Call and the project “Improving the employability of Roma women in five communities in Vojvodina”. Specifically, she opened a craft tailoring business and became an entrepreneur.

Beginning and future work area. She wants to go slowly with one, and the demand for tailor We asked her how she began the business, to see how it will de- services is great, so the inhabi- working and what did she spend the velop, and believes it will eventual- tants of Bezdan travel to Sombor funds she received on. Branka told ly be getting better and better, whi- when they need a tailor. us that she bought a sewing machi- ch would help her improve her Consequently, she believes she ne and materials (thread, needles). work. For now, she is working from will have a lot of orders, and the- The desire to do this job came home, and would love to be able to refore be able to realize her plans. when she realized there was no rent a place. She hopes she fill be Parental support other way out, that this profession successful in her job in the future. is the only she has the ability for Branka has been living in A chance to progress and knows how to do, because she Bezdan for 15 years with her family. graduated from high school for this In Bezdan, there are no other She points out that parental support craft, and has experience in the tailor's shops, her shop is the only matters a lot, and that she would

16 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Employment not be able to achieve all of this wi- go for it and do nothing, they will not that. This is what we can all learn thout it. It is so important for pa- accomplish anything. They need to from the story of employment of rents to provide the support on the step forward and strive for success.” Branka Bošković, who took the offe- path to employment and further im- Parents and institutions can red opportunity, was ready for it provement of their children. provide a chance for a better life if and now is working hard to further Branka’s mother Zorica says that the person clearly knows what they achieve her goals. Branka is a type of person who want and is trying to accomplish Tijana Čubrilo wants to have her own job and her own income, and that she agrees with that with her daughter, she supports and stands by her, together with Branka’s father. She thinks she will have a lot of work, since, apart from the fact that „Poruka mladim ljudma koji žele da pokrenu sopstveni biznis je da se ne boje, da krenu jer ako ne krenu i ne pro- Bezdan does not baju ništa neće ni ostvariti. Treba da zakorače napred i teže have a single tailor ka uspehu.” shop, times are hard and people are not able to afford new clothes for themselves. There are a lot of people who are going to need se wing and re-tailoring of old clothes. According to Bran ka’s mother, she should just focus on doing her craft the best way possible, and will always have her parents’ support. If she has the opportunity, she should further edu- cate and continue her education. “The message to young people who want to start their own business is not to be afraid, because if they do not

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 17 Social protection

DATA ANALYSIS OF CENTERS FOR SOCIAL WORK IN THE PROVINCE OF THE AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE OF VOJVODINA ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GENERAL PROTOCOL FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2014 - AUGUST 8, 2014 Gender and age of child victims of Gender/Age 0-3 4-7 8-10 11-15 16-18 Total abuse and neglect

Girls 66 74 80 119 58 397 The total number of child victims of abuse and neglect Boys 67 93 74 105 21 360 counts slightly more girls than boys. Girls make up 52.4%, Total 133 167 154 224 79 757 and boys 47.6% of the total number of victims of abuse % 17,7 % 22% 20,3% 29,6 % 10,4% 100% and neglect. age increases the proportion of girls to boys share, whereas this difference is most pronounced in the oldest age group (16-18 years), where girls make to Girls boys about three fourths (73.4%) of the total number of Boys casualties. The structure of child victims of abuse and neglect by gender in individual age groups can be seen in the graph below Structure by age shows that groups, it can be noticed that (figures are expressed in per- the group of children aged 4-7, the regularity with increasing centages). 8-10 and 11-15 years are over-represented compared to the yo- ungest children (0-3 years) and to the oldest age (16-18 years) children. The age group of 0-3 years Girls makes 17.7% of the total number of child victims, the group Boys 4-7 years makes 22%, groups 8- 10 years accounted for 20.3%, the group 11-15 years makes 29.6% and the group 16-18 years 0 do 3 4 do 7 8 do 10 11 do 15 16 do 18 makes 10.4% of the total num- years years years years years ber of children victims. Looking at the gender Structure of child victims of abuse and neglect by gender structure of the individual age in individual age groups

18 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Social protection

• Structure of at which centers report on the fined by the Protocol and the re- cases of abuse number of victims of domestic porting on this phenomenon, we and neglect by type violence by type of dominant vi- can say, has been, to a signifi- of abuse and neglect olence, and that is consistent cant extent, systematized thro- with the definitions of violence ugh regular annual reporting The General Protocol for that are listed in the Protocol. center for social work, the infor- the Protection of Children from This classification includes the mation on exposure of children Abuse and Neglect provides a following forms of violence: to different types of abuse and general definition of child abuse physical violence, sexual violen- neglect, were presented by the and defines the following forms ce, mental abuse, neglect, eco- centers in different ways and in of abuse and neglect: physical nomic violence and other types different classifications. For this abuse, sexual abuse, emotional of violence (which are classified reason, as already stated in the abuse, neglect and negligent forms of violence that are not introduction to this report, this treatment and exploitation. included in the given classifica- data will be presented in the Also, in the form of annual tion)4 form as submitted to the reporting of centers for social Thus, although the abuse Institute on behalf of the cen- work, the classification is given and neglect of children was de- ters (see Table below).

2 4-7 8-10 11-15 16-18 Type of abuse and neglect Total F М F М F М F М F М

Abandonment by parents 3 6 5 6 6 3 5 5 3 1 43

Inadequate exercise of parental rights 22 27 24 18 18 22 26 22 6 2 187

Abuse of parental rights 1 2 1 2 2 4 5 2 1 20

Witnessing violence against other family members Or learning about violence 1 2 5 2 2 4 3 3 1 23 against family member

Physical abuse 9 15 12 30 25 32 29 39 26 9 226

Sexual abuse 1 6 6 3 1 2 11 5 6 35

Emotional abuse 12 12 14 19 11 5 11 12 14 4 114

Exploatation 1 2 1 1 5

Neglect 12 9 14 13 17 6 12 17 2 2 104

Total 54 66 67 83 65 70 98 98 61 18 757

4 Centers for social work report on the number of victims of domestic violence, according to the dominant type of violence, under the section “Construction of protection against domestic violence.”

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 19 Social protection

Despite the limited space for of 2,591 victims of domestic vio- violence against family member. joint analysis of this classified in- lence in 2013, 1,040 or 40.1% were Data for 2013 on the number of formation5, it can be seen that children6. Ignoring is the most children who are direct victims the physical and psychological frequent form of violence against or witnesses of domestic violen- (emotional) violence and neglect children, but then immediately ce is 605 children. of a child make the dominant followed by the number of vic- In the period analyzed forms of violence. This is consi- tims of physical and mental abu- (01/01/2014 to 08/15/2014), so stent with the structure according se, followed by sexual violence for seven and a half months of to the type of violence that is ob- and exploitation (data on the this year, 72.8% the children vic- tained on the basis of data on ca- number of child victims are shown tims of violence in relation to ses of violence that are recorded in the graph below). the number of victims during

Girls Boys

Other violence violence Neglecting

Sexual Physical violence Economic violence Emotional

in the centers for social work du- From the data presented in the previous year were identifi- ring the year. the above table, it can be seen ed, which may imply to the con- For comparison, we will pre- that the centers provided data clusion that there has possibly sent data on cases of domestic vi- on 23 children who have witnes- been an increase in violence olence that were registered at sed violence, i.e., who witnes- against children during the the centers during 2013. According sed violence against another fa- analyzed period, i.e. during this to these data, there were a total mily member or learned about year.

5 In interpreting the result, we cannot safely say that cases of violence are contained in the “Inadequate exercise of parental rights”, in which there is a significant number of patients (187 of 757 child victims). The option “abuse of parental rights” is also disputed, which under the Family Law encompasses all forms of abuse and exploitation of children, which were later specifically specified in the frequent classification. What is problematic in the classification above is that it also contains valuable assumptions (such as “inadequate exercise of parental rights” and “abuse of parental rights”) underlying legal standards contained in the provisions of the Family Law, and actions of parents who present the forms of abuse or neglect (physical abuse, sexual and emotional abuse, exploitation and neglect).

6 According to the annual report on the work of social work centers on the territory of AP Vojvodina in 2013.

20 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Human rights

SPECIAL BUSES FOR THE ROMA

The initiative of mayor of our citizens, we need to have Supervisor for the respect Borgaro Torinese, located about two buses. One for the citizens of rights in PD, Michaela 10 km from Torino to introduce and the other for the Rome”, Campana said that the party the special bus line for the said Gambino, according to the has warned Gambino that “mar- Roma sparked a furious reaction Italian media. He added that ginalization is never a solution of some politicians who have thefts and assaults often occur and that responding to violence compared this initiative of his on the buses. by excluding people will not with the period of apartheid in Representative in the city help solve the problem”. South Africa. council, Luigi Spinelli, from the The anti-migration party, President of the Muni Left Ecology Freedom (SEL), su- Northern League, supported his cipality of Borgaro Torinese, pported the proposal of the plan, while one of the longtime Claudio Gambino of the mayor, which has caused outra- representatives Roberto Calderon Democratic Party (PD) said he ge of the leader of that party, said that those are the real, exi- wants to introduce special bu- Nichi Vendola, who said for the sting problems. “I welcome the ses to the village in the suburbs Italian, “Stampa” that giving administration of Borgaro, which, with about 600 Roma members different rights to citizens is although on the left spectrum, li- pop whom they “have to stand called apartheid and called stens to the people.” for for more than 20 years”, re- Gambino to reconsider his ports AFP. “To ensure safety of words. Source: Tanjug Photo: Internet

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 21 Human rights

PROGRESS IN ROMA INCLUSION Photo: Internet Minister for Public Admi health care, enrollment in ele- She pointed out that the nistration and Local Self-Go mentary schools, and it shows Roma inclusion is a very impor- vernment, Kori Udovički estima- that the committed systematic tant and complex issue with whi- ted that there has been significant steps provide results, but I must ch the whole of Europe is facing, progress in the field of Roma in- stress that we are still at the be- because not even the European clusion in Serbia, but added that ginning and the only way is to Union member states have su- Serbia, despite progress, still is at follow this path,” said Udovički ccessfully addressed this issue. the beginning in the successful at a meeting in Belgrade dedica- According to her, the biggest resolution of the issue. “There ted to the policy of Roma inclu- challenge for the successful inclu- has been significant progress in sion. sion is the poor cooperation bet-

22 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Human rights

sources, which are limited, legislation to legalize settle- but which, she said, “could ments. “Many mayors have tried be better absorbed at the lo- to evict us, but that happened cal level.” only once will not happen again, Head of the EU Delegation and we will fight against it by all to Serbia Michael Davenport means,” said Balić. said that Serbia has good stra- He said that in the past ten tegic and action plans, and years a “brilliant progress” has that in the last decade; much been made and that is in relation has been done to include the to the money invested and the re- Roma in society. He said that sults achieved, the Roma issue has the success achieved in enroll- been resolved efficiently. “What is ment of legally invisible per- missing is the social consensus. sons in birth certificates, but ‘The Decade of Roma’, the mega- it is necessary to speed up the lomaniac project, has never been issuance of citizenship. discussed in the Assembly. If we According to him, it is ne- had that, affirmative action would cessary to continue to streng- be easier to implement through then the network of health practice”, said Balić. care coordinators and peda- It is projected that the “The gogical assistants, who have Decade of Roma” ends next year, achieved significant progress, when Serbia concludes the adop- but also to solve the problem ted strategy dedicated to impro- of unemployment with ving the situation of Roma. employment incentives, whi- Director of the Office of ch is most distinct among Human and Minority Rights, Roma women. Suzana Paunović said that the ba- “The biggest problem in sis for a new strategy have been Serbia, and in Europe is lega- made, which will be implemented lization of Roma settle- in the period from 2015 to 2020. ments,” said Davenport. She reminded on the achieved re- Osman Balić, the chair- sults, so 20000 Roma men and man of the Permanent women have been officially ente- Conference of Roma civic as- red in the birth certificate regi- sociations also sees the pro- ster, while last year, about 1,700 blem of Roma housing as the of them were actively involved in most challenging in the inclu- the employment measures of the sion process. “In Serbia, there National Employment Service. ween the responsible ones at the are 300 mahallas from the 19th According to her, 369 children national level and at local level, century, and not a single new enrolled in high school, and but also with civil society. “It is road has been built, many villages thanks to the health mediators, something that we have to over- still have no electricity and water. some of them got their elected come and on what my ministry is So, the biggest challenge is the pediatrician for the first time. working, because only with bet- legalization of settlements”, said She also said that there are about ter cooperation could we get to Balić. He pointed out that Roma 150,000 Roma in Serbia, and that the end users,” said the Minister. NGOs will no longer allow the for- 750 settlements were registered Udovički has stressed the ced eviction of Roma and will fi- last year. need for better utilization of re- ght against it by submitting draft www.rtv.rs

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 23 NGO

“WORK IN PROGRESS”

“Work in Progress” is an inde- Networking pendent organization from Novi Sad, which works towards a bet- “Work in pro- ter and fairer world with equal gress” belongs to The opportunities for all people. They Network for Innovation work with young people and vul- and Territorial and nerable groups. The organization, Social Responsibility through its work aims to contribu- (ELSIR) and FARE te to the creation of human socie- Network. ty without any discrimination, ELSIR is an inter- through a culture of legality. Such continental network inequalities using football as an a culture is made of proper means that brings together businesses, appropriate instrument to send a of prevention, the necessary me- universities, institutions, and message against discrimination. ans to create a more equal socie- many other types of organizati- Advocating FARE network in the ty and cooperation between co- ons. This network, which is pre- fight against discrimination throu- untries. sent on five continents, can be gh inclusive power of football is accessed free of charge. It is open based on the principle that foot- The development should for both organizations and indivi- ball, the most popular sport in be seen as a human right, duals, and is constantly receiving the world belongs to us and can and the elimination of pover- new applications for participation contribute to social cohesion. This ty as a necessity. in its mission, which is related to organization is fighting against all the development of innovative forms of discrimination, including This organization supports projects throughout the world racism, nationalism, extreme ri- and promotes national and inter- and focuses on the field of terri- ght wing, sexism, homophobia national volunteerism, which is torial and social responsibility. and discrimination against per- considered an essential tool for ELSIR follows this mission and sons with disabilities. building an inclusive society ba- when possible, involves members sed on tolerance and acceptance in project activities carried out Mediation for Roma of diversity. Also, they encourage by the ECRU (the body that coor- the active involvement of youth dinates the network ELSIR at the The organization “Work in and citizens of all ages in activiti- international level). progress” is a partner in the pro- es that may lead to changes in so- FARE Network is an organiza- ject “Mediation for Roma” ciety. tion that focuses on combating (Mediation4Roma), which has an aim to professionalize the profes- We are a non-profit humanitarian organization that contribu- sion of Roma mediators, their ne- tes to creating a more humane society, and we work to create a tworking, sharing knowledge and positive environment where change is possible. We want to deve- experiences, as well as the preci- lop our network of non-profit organizations and connect people se definition of the characteristi- with whom we have shared ideas and skills to improve the society cs and needs of Roma mediators in which we live. The organization “Work in progress” works in at the European level. You could various sectors using culture, creativity and sport as an instru- obtain more information about ment to bring about positive change. this project in the last issue of Our activities and projects are the result of ideas, dreams our monthly “Decade of Roma in Vojvodina” magazine. and the changes that we want to see in our society, which must be open and affordable for all of us, thanks to all of us. Tijana Čubrilo

24 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Culture

ROMANI-SERBIAN DICTIONARY No community can survive if not preserved, not developed and does not enrich their language. It is a process that should be implemented in the institutions that with the help of their competence preserve the mother tongue.

Introducing the Dictionary sequence is that we are not united ding that he is happy that the vocabulary is used in Vojvodina in schools At the 59th International Book and we have not found a common where Romani teachers use it, and it Fair in Belgrade at the joint booth of path”, says the author of this dicti- suggests that it has been done much all the minorities of Vojvodina, the onary. more for Romani language in “Romani-Serbian Dictionary” by Ali The work on the dictionary Vojvodina than in central Serbia and Krasniqi was presented. This author was started in 1975 when Ali that Vojvodina has been constantly is a member of the Association of Krasniqi of Kosovo and Metohija, working and contributing to the de- Writers of Serbia, as well as the where he was born, recorded folk velopment of Romani literature. Commission for the life and customs art and spoken heritage. The author has prepared a tran- of the Roma at the Serbian Academy slation of the Romani vocabulary of Sciences and Arts. into Albanian, German, English, Firstly, a written trace French and Italian, which will contri- of the mother tongue has bute to the spread of the Romani to be left, in order to fami- language and allow a large number liarize the non-Roma with of people around the world to learn the Romani creativity in all the language of the Roma, and then areas. about their culture and tradition. Without a language, every Photo: Internet Words from the past community gets erased from the Ali Krasniqi It's been six years since this dic- “Unfortunately, we, the Roma tionary got published, which conta- “I started to write down need to get more education beca- ins over 70,000 words, among which the words of all three dialec- use there are not enough intere- are those that have been preserved ts present in this region: sted for this kind of promotion, to from ancient times. Something like Gurbeti, Arli and Bugurji, this has not been published in meet and talk to our writers who with the Gurbeti dialect be- Romani language. What the Roma create in Romani language, who ing prevalent in Vojvodina have dedicated their lives to the brought from India, they need to cultivate more, for themselves and and central Serbia. Some of Romani literature. Today there are their descendants, to know their ro- these words were unknown few interested to see and hear so- ots and contribute to the improve- to myself and I wanted to mething in their Romani mother ment of the Romani language. “We preserve them, and the spe- tongue and to meet people who have brought more than a thousand cially problematic was that work in this field. It is our long words from our homeland, that we there was no standardized saga of “illness”, from which we use today and we have preserved cannot seem to recover because them. This dictionary contains the way of their writing.” we envy each other. The con- preserved word”, said Krasniqi, ad- Ali Krasniqi

map of the world as it loses its “Roma have managed to preserve their language because of core foundation. That is why all the isolated way of life in mahallas, but this ghettoization brought the communities have to preserve, them a more difficult inclusion in the wider community and into improve and develop their mother the education system. However, there are no standards in written tongue. Romani words. This cannot be done overnight, it is a long process which should involve all Roma who speak their language.” Tijana Čubrilo

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 25 Culture

ROMANI RIDDLES

There are many different names for riddles in Romani: garadino alav, garado svato, garad no lafi, which means the hidden word. The following terms have the same meaning: garadino vakaripe, garadino mothodipe and garadino phenipe. It is interesting that Hindi and Hindustani languages have about 15 expressions for riddles. All this testifies that the riddles have been very important in the Romani folk literature and tradition, and therefore they should be given attention.

We know from the tradition that the riddles and deciphering One tree, four ribbons. them represented the struggle for One twig, countless fibers. life and death. These riddles are Not alive, plays and sings. encountered in ancient Indian, What is it? Greek, ancient Jewish stories, Violin but also in Romani stories as well. In the riddles, the subjects of on March 15th. Who does not fol- Traces of ancient Indian the puzzle are physical objects low this rule, and tells the riddles mythology can be found in the (still life, living beings, humans), during the day or any time of year, mysteries related to the wind, social and psychological phenome- is believed that the snake will bite fire and the night. The following na, properties, processes and rela- them. There is a tradition that riddle, wind is the riddle-solving tions. Play and ingenuity are es- riddles should be told “for the clue: When Vaio combs, the grass sential features of riddles, where dead”, so “for the vampires and waves. It is important to say that things are described according to snakes not to appear”, and “to Vaio is the name of the Vedic god their more or less distinctive pro- fool the devil”. We conclude that of wind and air. Romani word for perties, but in an indirect way. It the riddles also had the magical the night is war, and it keeps the is a confusing method, which is ba- function in the life of the Roma. name of the immortal and the sed on aggregated allusions. There magnificent goddess Ratari who are riddles that are poetically sha- Mythical part of the riddles dispersed the darkness with the ped, written in the stanza, and so- glow in her eyes. Night is the clue metimes are even recited. The riddles are closely con- of the following riddle: Stooka, nected with myths and fairytales. black-haired, you see her, but ca- By voice - perkish. They were also developed from nnot catch her. By feathers - greyish. the mysterious myths and fairyta- Hopping, peeking, les and ritual songs. Plants and animals in riddles Everywhere peeping. In one riddle, the clouds, li- I keep away from the slingshot ghtning, thunder and rain are The Roma consider both tre- And run away from the cat. shown as “cattle being beaten, es and plants to be living beings. Who am I? roaring with indignation and rain- There are riddles about pears, Sparrow ing to the world”, and in the other apples, hazels, figs, lilacs, willow, clouds and rain is imagined as “a walnuts, pumpkins, wheat, pota- With Roma, riddles are rela- cow that walks across the sky and toes, blackberries. When it comes ted to the death customs, someti- brings the milk to the earth”. The to animals, most Roma riddles are mes even for wedding customs, rainbow is represented as a red about snakes, fish, snails, mice, and are mainly told at night and snake that sleeps in heaven. cats, fleas, lice, coils, fly, roo- during some holidays, especially These riddles have a lot of simila- sters, chicken, etc. on the Feast Day of snakes rities with the verses in the Rig (Sapeskođe), which is celebrated Veda (a collection of hymns). Tijana Čubrilo

26 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Roma in the world

ELVIS PRESLEY - POP ICON OF THE 20TH CENTURY

There are few people who do not know who Elvis was. But only rare know that his an- cestors came to America from Germany in the 18th century with the last name Pressler. They belonged to the Sinti people, known as the “Black Dutchmen”. Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, south Mississippi, in a poor family.

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 27 Roma in the world

Childhood and youth brink – said the legendary musi- an only child he had a close rela- cian, whose parents Vernon Elvis tionship with both parents, but I could say that we lived on and Gladys Love Presley had fit- had a particular affection cheri- the wrong side of the tracks. ted their humble abode for the shed toward his mother. He grew But, at that time in Tupelo was two boys, but Elvis's twin up in a very devout family who no the right side. Nobody had a brother, who came into the wor- regularly visited church Masses rich meal. We were never hung- ld 35 minutes before him, died where young Elvis grew up sur- ry, but we were often on the during childbirth. Growing up as rounded by gospel music in whi-

28 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Roma in the world

who immediately realized that I've seen people do it so I slowly learned how to play, but I co- the young Elvis had his own uld not sing in public, I was shy - confessed Elvis, who moved with style. He invited him to record the first album. Vinyl producer, his family to Memphis in 1948, where he attended high school. He Sir Swivel Hips would often later was still very withdrawn and shy and often teased by friends that say to his colleagues: If we he is his mom's boyfriend. That inconspicuous black-haired little would find a white man with a voice and lyrical style of black boy only once drew attention to himself, when his music teacher people, we would all earn a forgave his a low grade on the ground that cannot sing. The offended tune. That boy was Elvis and the Elvis came to class next day with a guitar and sang a big hit at a dreams were realized. Before he turned twenty-one, he gained time, Keep them cold icy fingers off me. The teacher had to admit his first million and had his first she was wrong, and the grade was corrected. hundred girlfriends. ch he found his initial musical be an electrician. However, he Music phenomenon inspiration. Already at the age did not give up his music career, of ten he had the first appearan- which was not going in his favor For the millions of fans of ce in the competition in the lo- in those years, since several gro- Elvis Presley he is still alive, and cal school where he dressed as a ups from Memphis refused him. his birthday is celebrated every cowboy standing next to the Ignoring it, he went to his 8th of January in front of the fa-

microphone and sang the song friend’s studio at the end of mous Graceland in Memphis. His Old Shep. A few months later, he 1953 and recorded a song dedi- ex-wife Priscilla Presley and got his first guitar for birthday, cated to his mother, which had their daughter Lisa Marie Presley and his cousin taught him and long been privately owned, and used to chop birthday cake on his first chords. is now treated as a very valuable the lawn that has been conside- He graduated in 1953, and unique piece. On the set, he red a historical monument since then went to work as a truck drew the attention to himself of 2006. More than half a million driver, and along the way, he the owner of the record com- visitors annually visit it. Presley also enrolled in night school to pany Sun Records, Sam Phillips, became a music phenomenon

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 29 Roma in the world

danger to America because his behavior on stage triggers sexual passion with young girls.

The burden of fame

A year later, Elvis's lifelong manager Parker started the whole music industry with the marketing label Elvis, from bad- ges, posters, T-shirts, bell trou- sers, socks, toys to lipsticks and cologne. The burden of fame was so strong that Elvis had to completely change his way of life. He was not allowed to be alone in the streets, he would who started rock and roll revolu- few months and there is no do- sleep during the day and only tion with his impressive voice ubt that those songs hit the fo- go outside by, but even then and charismatic stage perfor- undation to what would be the fans that followed his foot- mance. For most of his audien- known as rock and roll. The so- steps did not spare him. That ce, Elvis is a true icon. Besides und in these poems suggests a same year, he bought a huge music and acting, his private life young man who celebrates free- palace on the rim of Memphis and his appearance earned him dom, ready to do anything, go in Tennessee, which he called the status of the most intere- anywhere. The first performan- Graceland. This villa is now a sting and intricate figure of the ces in clubs followed shortly, place visited by admirers of his 20th century. During his life he and rumors of a strange young persona and work. American hi- storians who have studied the He was incredibly handsome. Consciously and decisively he life of Elvis Presley concluded destroyed the taboos of the fifties. Both women and men found that it is due to poor childhood him attractive, said Professor Doss, the author of the book Elvis that he showed megalomania- Culture: Fans, Faith and Image. cal traits. He would never buy just one car, but a dozen at a became a symbol of America, man who dresses strangely and time. But he never forgot what which remained so even after has a great voice with unusual it means to live in poverty and his death, and many speculation on-stage movements expanded therefore always tried to help about his incredible career and across America. others. He bought expensive the continuing interest in his pri- The newspaper then wrote gifts to his friends, and on one vate life have launched a massi- that after a concert in Wisconsin occasion bought a house to a ve tourism and entertainment local prudes sent a letter to the poor old woman who lost her industry about the phenomenon FBI stating that Elvis was a great home. He donated to charities of Elvis Presley. His first single That's All If what they say for my singing is true, I would be some Right, Mama and Blue Moon of kind of a sexual maniac and be rightfully put to an institution, Kentucky were extremely popular locally. They were published said the King, called that way on behalf of his colleagues out under the auspices of Sun of respect. Records in the time span of a

30 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Roma in the world and churches. He was very reli- most famous songs appeared: incessantly, anti-depressants gious. Presley’s career was in- Viva Las Vegas, Little Les and sleeping pills. At times, he terrupted in 1958 when he was Conversation, In the Ghetto, would use so many sedatives at conscripted for military service Suspicious Minds, which laid the once, that he was barely able to in Germany for two years. foundations of quality rock and breath. There he met a young girl, roll. His many private problems His concerts were a disaster, Priscilla who became his wife, began to emerge; drug depen- he would sometimes have to and later a very sexy movie dence, dissatisfaction and mari- read the lyrics from a board held star. Priscilla was then only fo- tal problems, all resulted in poor by his assistants, and he would urteen years old. She was the concerts. The straw that broke often mumble incoherently. daughter of an officer in Elvis’s the cup was a definite split with Nevertheless, his fans forgave unit, who forced his future his wife Priscilla, who took their him everything. He has his last father in law to send Priscilla to daughter with her. Her husband, show on June 26th 1977 in Memphis. They married when who had a lot of lovers next to Indianapolis, and on August 16th she was twenty-one. The writer her, had often neglected that same year was found dead Andrea Love revealed in her Priscilla. Priscilla knew what on his bathroom floor. He was writings about their love life was happening, and the life at forty-two at a time. Blood that she got pregnant during home in Graceland suffocated analysis showed ten types of the honeymoon, and exactly her even more. The divorce was drugs in his body. nine months later gave birth to made official in 1972. Six years Lisa Marie. While was in the after her marriage she was final- If I want so, I will buy Army, Elvis's mother died, and ly free, and as a consolation, got the whole damn pharmacy! I from that moment on, he was two million dollars in divorce will get what I want. And it’s proceedings. never the same. He began ta- better for you to realize that king sleeping pills, to which he you’re either going to be on quickly became addicted. After Those are the movies in my side, or against me! returning from the army in which a Southerner beats up 1960, his manager signed a con- a guy and then sings to him. tract in Hollywood according to But even that brings huge Elvis is definitely a pheno- which Elvis was required to an- profit – confessed Elvis. menon that has lasted since his nually make three films. He sto- popularity wasn’t shattered not pped performing and fully dedi- Partying is my life; I thought even by his death. He is still very cated to the movies, which she understood that when she popular even today, and millions were worse year after year. married me. I love to make peo- of fans visit his home every year. ple happy, and my life is not ha- His music has influenced many Film career ppy and ruined – said Presley new, young performers. Without then. Elvis, there wouldn’t be the This is how his successful This turning point in his life Beatles, and let alone those gro- film career began in which he marked the beginning of a defi- ups and single artists who arose recorded over thirty films, main- nitive submission to fate and inspired by their music. Many ly musicals. His audience cha- drugs. He was aware that he have spoken fondly of him, and racterized these movies as old- was slowly killing himself by ta- some sentences said about him, -fashioned, as stars that offered king small pills, but could not fi- like the one by Frank Sinatra are a different style, like the Doors ght against it. His life seemed still retold: I am just a singer; and Grateful Dead showed up on too hard to him. He had millions Elvis was the embodiment of the the scene. However, even that of fans, but felt lonely. His arro- whole American culture. did not prevent him from making gant lifestyle started to take its great hits and that is when his tool. The King took sedatives Source: www.story.rs

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 31 DECADE OF ROMA INCLUSION 2005 - 2015

Rumunija 1. Jul 2005 - 30. Jun 2006, Bugarska 1. Jul 2006 - 30. Jun 2007, Ma|arska 1. Jul 2007 - 30. Jun 2008, Srbija 1. Jul 2008 - 30. Jun 2009, Slova~ka 1. Jul 2009 - 30. Jun 2010, ^e{ka 1. Jul 2010 - 30. jun 2011, Makedonija 1. Jul 2011 - 30. Jun 2012, Hrvatska 1. Jul 2012 - 30. Jun 2013, Crna Gora 1. Jul 2013 - 30. Jun 2014. BOSNA I HERCEGOVINA

Jul 2014. - Jun 2015.

MINISTARSTVO ZA LJUDSKA I MANJINSKA PRAVA, DR@AVNU UPRAVU I LOKALNU SAMOUPRAVU UPRAVA ZA LJUDSKA I MANJINSKA PRAVA

32 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina