Visit of the Committee for Equality and Non-discrimination There is Room for of the Parliamentary Assembly Further Promotion of the Council of Europe of Minority Rights

54 Minority NewsJune 2019

Repčekova: We Are Bringing the Issue of Human and Minority Rights to a Focus Radojičić: The Decade is Members of the not Sufficient to Solve the Serbian and Croatian Problems of Roma Minorities Strive to Be a Bridge of Cooperation HIGHLIGHTSHIGHLIGHTS EDITORIALEDITORIAL 4549 ThereGov Ise rRoomnmen fort C Promotionommitted tofo Minority Rights Improvi ng the Status Are Long-Term(N ot) the ch Solutionsoic e? On June o18,f Mthei nCenterority for R iRegionalism,ghts with the support of the Hanns Seidel The re is a bit m orWithine than a m o nOurth left uReach?ntil the elec tions for m e mbers Foundation,On Septe mbe r organized 6, the Dir ethecto rconference of the Go - of natio nal cou ncils o f national mi nori ties . The m embers of t he “Statusvernme andnt O Positionffic e for H uof m aNationaln and M in Minoriority- If2 2we n wantat io ntoa tol m getin acquaintedorities wi withll be a e certain xercis country,ing the we ir rmust,ight tfirsto e l eof call,t t learnheir tiesRigh ints , theSuz a Countriesna Paunov iofć, mtheet wFormerith the OSFRY”SCE morerep r eaboutsent aitsti vcitizens.es. The Officialsfirst p re cofo nourdi t icountryon fo r vofteno tin gproudly is to epointnrol out in t ah ewide inH ithegh C oGallerym missio nofer Serbian for Natio n Heritageal M inoriti eins, rangeSpec iof al languages,Vo ters’ Li sculturest fo r N aand tio ncustomsal M in oofr ithet ie scitizens . Acco r dof i nSerbia,g to t hwhiche w e bmakessi te NoviLam Sad.be rto Experts Zannie rfrom, an d Slovenia, she i nform Croatia,ed him us recognizable in the world. In order to maintain this positive example, it is Bosniaabout tandhe im Herzegovina,plementa tion oMontenegro,f the a cti vities necessaryof the M itoni investstry o andf Pu supportblic Ad mcontinuouslyinistration thean ddevelopment Local Self- Gofo valle raspectsnmen tof, Northernof the Ac t iMacedoniaon Plan fo r th ande Re aSerbializat ion spoke of the thethe life co nofc álllu scitizens,ion of t hbothe Sp theec iamajorityl Voter andLis t wminorityill be dcommunities’one 15 days bmembers.efore aboutRights legal o f N aandtion institutionala l Minorities. frameworks Notthe only ele c ist itheiro ns ,inclusion on Oc t oinb theer 1 society9. Wh ae taskthe thatr t h eneeds ca ll oto f beth efulfilled Min is tonry the of in their countries, as well as on the le- roadPub ltoic A thedm Europeaninist rati oUnion,n and but o th ite isr galsoove ar ncontribution ment bodi etos ttheo t hunderstandinge members vel of exercise of the rights of national ofof the the importance na tional mof ithen o rrealizationities to r e gofi shumanter in trights,he Sp sinceecia levery Vot e citizenrs’ Lis t of w iourll minorities. statebea rcan fru at it aw certain ill be cmomentl ear af tconsidere r th is dthatate his, b humanecaus erights, wit haveh th beene exc violatedep tion Sombor Hosts "Europe andof t hbee classifiedfew na ti oasn aa l“minority”. c ouncils tha t a ctively p ropagate th e imp ortance Inof the vo tcaseers’ of re membersg istrati o ofn aactual nd e lminorities,ecti ons, o tespeciallyhers hav thosee n o tfrom y et ivulnerable ncl uded Radojičić:in My C Theity " DecadeConfer eIsn notce groups,it i n th thee a gsituationend a . is much more difficult. In addition to numerous problems, SufficientOn September 20to, S omSolvebor h othested thProblemse "Europe discriminationBy October is1 9perhaps, all t htheos ebiggest who problem aim t ofaced be ibyn omembersne of tofh ecertain nat iominona-l in My City" confeofren cRomae o n protection and exer- rities.cIoun cIn i lthiss ca context,n sub m thei t tpositionh eir lis tofs . theBy tmembers he con cofl uthes io Roman of tminorityhis iss ushoulde, th ebe cise of human and minority rights. The confe- especially emphasized. This year, on the International Roma Day, it was emphasized On June 20 and 21, the Regional Con- thatRep Romaublic continue Electo ra tol Cbeo mdiscriminated,missio n ap pmarginalizedrov ed 20 andele cexcluded,tora l lis tass owellf 1 as1 ferencerence wa s“Decade organized b yof th eRoma Germa nInclusion: Foundation "Konrad Adenauer", in cooperation with the facingnatio variousnal m iviolationsnoritie s. I andt is deprivation difficult to of f orightsrec ainst all h osegmentsw m an yof llife.ists wHowever,ill be Heritage, Lessons Learned, Best Pra- itre shouldgiste ralso ed, bebu notedt, on that t he our ba countrysis o f tish makinge ap p rgreatove defforts on es to, itovercome iszbog evid togaethisnt cticesCity of Sandom b o rWhat’s and th eNext?” Ger ma n wasAss oheldciatio inn "Gerhard" Sombor. problem,thšat the orre at a leastre d esuppresse p di vi itsi oasn muchs in s asom possible. e nati oForna example,l co mm amendmentsuni ties. Fo r Belgrade. The conference was organized by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic toin stheta nLaw ce ,on t h Out-of-Courte Ruthe nia Proceedingsn comm un enabledity, wh theich subsequent, alt hough registration be ing a le sofs persons who were not enrolled in the birth register, increased coverage of Roma in Belgrade and the Ministry of Labor, numerou s commun ity (accordin g to the last censu s , 14,246 citizens Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs childrendeclare ind elementary as memb educationers o f th isand co progressštomm uzdišemoun itmadey) a inlr e enrollmentzaad „starletama“y has 4of e Romalecto stukojera-l of the Republic of Serbia, with a number dentslists , inw secondaryhile in th schoolse p rev iandou s faculties. elect io nHealths in 2 0mediators14 they playha da speciala tota rolel of in7 of program partners from domestic and thelist swhole. The process, reason whoses beh itasknd t ish inots d onlyivisi oton connect are, of the co uRomarse, dcommunityissatisfac withtion international bodies and organizations thewit healthh the service, existin butg s alsoitua toti oeducaten in t hande c keepomm recordsunity of, d theiresir estates a nofd health. plans that participated in the preparation of Thesefor its were imp justrov someeme noft ,the o r goalssom eoft hthe in gGovernment’s e lse. O n t h e“Strategy oth er h foran thed , aPromo m ore- the conference. The main implementati- tion of the Position of Roma 2009 - 2015”, but, since the Strategy did not remove on partnerCerti fwasica thetes Center Awa forrd Migrationed to num erous comm un ity - the Slov ak commu nity – has, for the time thebe imainng, o obstaclesnly two to li sthets socio-economicregistered. Th integrationose who bof ethelie vRomae th aminority,t factio thens StudiesParti cfromipa Belgrade.nts in th e Summer new Strategy has been envisaged for the period from 2016 until 2025. Will this School "We and wit hin a co mmu nity are detrim e ntal for the ove ra ll i ntere sts of strategythe com achievemuni tthey a primarys a wh ogoalle w thatou membersld say th ofat thethi sRoma is a gminorityood sig exercisen, but, the O t hers. Ove rcomin g their rights as truly equal citizens of Serbia, remains to be seen. There is political The Day th ofe IvanB or dAntunovićer s" will,wha manyt is i nmechanismsteresting aexist,bou tbut th ife swee l iwantsts i sto t hacheiveat the ay tangibleboth c oprogress,me fro ma Academy Held solidthe swillam ofe thepo memberslitical pa ofrt ythe, i. eRoma., th minoritye lead in themselvesg can did aist ealsos o required,n th e li sasts theyare maree themb onesers o whof th havee sa mtoe initiate domi ncertainant p ochanges,litical p too,art ythus. W icontributingll these an dto OnPa rJuneticip a14,nts inin thethe SGreat umm Haller Sc ofh o theol o fSu In- boticatereth nCityic, I nHall,te rc uthelt u raCroatianl and Inte r National-Con- thesim betterilar si tpositionu atio ns ofm theirak e tpeoplehe vo tand e r schanging’ decis i othens eawarenessasie r or ofm allo r citizens.e com - Council,fessiona markedl Dialo gu thee (A “DayID), h eofld Ivan at Sr eAntubrno- plicate d? nović”.Jezero ,In w recognitionere awarded dofip thislom asignificants for suc- datecess fforul c othemp lCroatianetion of ac tcommunity,ivities in a we ethek- mostlong successful seminar hpupilseld fr ofom elementary August 2 6and to 30 d iffer ent national m inorities live in Serbia secondarySeptemb eschoolsr 1 und whoer th attende title "classesWe an ind thethe Croatian Others. O languagevercomin gwere the Bpresentedorders.” with diplomas and awards.

Prom otion o f the B o ok "Stories f ro m D ias po ra and

Festival Hom e “Tancuj,land C oTancujuntri e...”s" - Holiday for the Soul in Gložan The book "Stories from Diaspora and Home- Onlan dJune Cou n15,trie sin" b they Ad moutdoorir Lisica w amphitheas promote-d ater,in th ewhich Bosnia kis N aa tpartional Cofou thencil oSportsn Septe mandber Recreation 15. Center in Gložan, the 49th folklore festival “Tancuj, Tancuj ...” was held.The b Theook ifestivals about p eaimsople tow hpreserveo began t htheeir sle er for all music,jour ne ysongs, to Dias pdances,o ra afte rand the ecustomsnd of the Sofe- and ONE new theco n Slovaks.d World Wa r, but a lso about successful Bosniaks from the homeland countries in the re gion. www.minoritynews.rs  Minority News Portal OUR INTERVIEW: H. E. DAGMAR REPČEKOVA, AMBASSADOR OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA We Are Bringing the Issue of Human and Minority Rights to a Focus his year, the Slovak Republic took over the one-year Chairmanship over the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, setting ambitious priorities to be achieved in the course of twelve months. We talked to H.E. Dagmar Repcekova about these goals, but also about the Slovak minority in Serbia., on the T eve of the Regional Conference dedicated to the inclusion of Roma, which was organized by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Serbia.

On January 1, 2019, Slovakia took over tries that chair the OSCE intensively and the return of trust to multilateral the twelve-month Chairmanship over cooperate in the so-called “Toika” or organizations. Whether it is the OSCE, the Organization for Security and Co- “Trio Chairmanship”. In fact, Slovakia the OEES, or the UN, all these large operation in Europe. What are the pri- was faced with existing challenges, international supranational organiza- ority areas of the Slovak Presidency in such as general regional security, Euro- tions need to have enough confidence this period of extremely complex and pean security, and also the resolution and authority in the complex system of large differences, as well as threats to of the conflict in the East of Ukraine, international relations. And, of course, national and international security? which is our immediate neighbor. Thus, given that Slovakia is known as a suc- one of the main priorities of the organ- cessful mediator, our next role is to This is a rather complex issue, since ization’s role as a mediator in resolv- bring this organization closer to the the decision on the priorities to be re- ing the conflict in Ukraine is the way public, to approach people. In other solved during the OSCE Chairmanship in which it resolves conflicts in other words, we need to talk actively with does not always depend only on the parts of the world. Given that the mul- all involved actors and present the state holding it. When deciding, we tilateral organizations are under the OSCE as the only organization creat- need to think about the challenges pressure of various crises, arising from ing a platform for the dialogue of the that the present time brings, as well as often unpredictable conflict situations opposing sides in the West and East, the challenges tackled by the previous throughout the world, the next natu- North and South, and trying to solve Chairmanship, since the three coun- ral priority is efficient multilateralism, all the current challenges of the time 3 Minoroty News 54 we live in. When we look at how the Among the interesting events of the human dimension. One of the events program of our Chairmanship has been Chairmanship is, for example, a large within this framework is a conference set, I believe that we are successfully conference on cyber security, which devoted to human and minority rights, meeting our priorities. was held at the beginning of June in with a special focus on the position of Bratislava, but, in February of this year, the Roma community. During this con- How would you summarize the first our Embassy organized with a group ference, we will look at the Decade of six months of the Slovak Chairman- of partners a similar conference in Roma Inclusion, which was officially ship over the OSCE? Belgrade. If we are talking about pri- brought to completion in 2015. We From the point of view of the Embassy orities focused on the ecological and need to ask questions as to what it of the Slovak Republic in Serbia and economic dimension, we organized a was that had significance, what was the Ministry of Foreign and European conference with the aim of translating achieved, what changed the life of Affairs of the Slovak Republic, I would the Slovak and European experiences the Roma community for the better. say that this six-month period has been in waste management, in particular There were also good projects, which more intensive compared to, for ex- municipal waste and wastewater, in had tangible results from the long-term ample, the six-month Presidency over March. Of course, the OSCE’s political perspective, but it is still necessary to the European Council in 2016. The EC dimension is also significant. In the consider what should be done further Presidency went largely in automatism Chairmanship capacity, we are deal- and how to use our experiences. This and, naturally, thanks to great assis- ing with a serious issue of reform and motto is contained in the very name tance from Brussels. In contrast, today management in the security sector. To of the conference. We want to attract we are faced with many tasks, which this end, a focused global conference many institutions to engage in solving we have to deal with ourselves. And, will be held in Bratislava in September, this problem and dedicate it to the of course, the OSCE is based on three and when it comes to regional confer- future. ences, the two-day event has already dimensions: political, economic, eco- The next, probably the last event of logical and human-legal, and we must been held in the Western Balkans - on June 4 and 5 in Belgrade. We opened this type that will directly refer to the endeavor to integrate all three dimen- position of women, will be either a sions. This requires the cooperation the first day with an active high-level debate, attended by around 150 par- panel or even a special conference of our Embassy, ​​which is responsible within the Belgrade Security Forum, for its activities, and the ministries in ticipants. I was very surprised, because many of them convinced me that this which begins on October 16th. It is Bratislava, which is the natural center precisely this first day that we would of our Chairmanship. I must point out topic in today’s world is actually dead, and it turned out that it was not. And, like to include this conference in the that, thanks to the exceptional ac- program. The conference will focus tivity of our Minister, Mr. Lajcak, we in my opinion, it is particularly impor- tant in this region, as we saw it on the on the UN Security Council Resolution have managed to fulfil our promises no. 1325 entitled “Women, Peace and - among other things, because the second day, during the expert panel, which was held in our Embassy. There Security”, because we want to open a Minister is able and willing to travel discussion on the role of women in this around the whole world and visit all was a great interest in resolving the problems of the security sector, and as region. Not only from the perspective OSCE missions. He has visited OSCE of the UNSC Resolution, which refers countries and missions that have not the Western Balkans is still considered a post-conflict region, we managed to to women in civilian missions or in the been visited by any OSCE represent- military, but also from the standpoint ative for years, especially not by the open a new topic that the OSCE could be dealing with in the future. Specif- of the social position of women or the Chairperson. We have been working on presence of women in politics. When I achieving such a concept of dialogue, ically, post-conflict trauma, which re- sults in many people living in the past, came to Serbia four years ago, I attend- which will include all parts of the world ed a wreath laying ceremony - which that this Organization encompasses. unable to get out of it. This results in an atmosphere of violence among the happens here more often than any- We plan activities to preserve the population, as well as a high percent- where else in the world - and I heard OSCE’s global character, but at the age of illegal weapons possession. the Minister of Defense, who said that same time, some of the activities have Unfortunately, family conflicts are not he will never forget the victims of wars, been maintained in certain regions, re- resolved peacefully, when we read the in which Serbia lost more than half of flecting on the experiences, challenges news of domestic violence in the re- the male population. When you hear and demands of these regions. One gion, compared to other parts of the this terrifying figure, you immediate- such region is the Western Balkans. world, sexual violence is not dominant ly understand how great the trauma This means that a series of events, held here, it is, in most cases, armed vio- of the local population is. And that is in Slovakia, i.e. in the Permanent Sec- lence, especially against women, with why I think that women really played retariat, or in the Permanent Mission, men seriously wounding or even kill- a very important role in the revival of are organized here in Belgrade, too. ing women. These topics deserve our this society, they took on many jobs We have chosen Belgrade because we attention. performed by men. I am glad that in have the largest embassy here, which, this country the role of women is quite naturally, carries out regional activities. This is why we opened another top- large and visible. ic in our Embassy – focusing on the 4 Minoroty News 54 Slovak OSCE Chairmanship has been representatives of so-called “healthy which are still practiced today. This is globally very active. In Belgrade, on communities” from Slovakia, who will a tragedy that should no longer exist June 4, you organized a high-level present a project that has been work- in society. And the last panel, which I regional high-level debate on secu- ing successfully for us for about ten do not consider as anything less im- rity sector governance and reform years. portant, is a health panel, where we that brought together over 100 high- want to consider the adoption of the ly-qualified experts and influential Can you tell us more about the up- necessary health and hygiene habits stakeholders in national security ser- coming conference on the Decade of that are a prerequisite for the already vices, as well as academic and civ- Roma Inclusion? mentioned acceptance. We will also il society representatives from the We are very much interested in all the focus on the classical health policies of countries of South-Eastern Europe. challenges that the Roma community is the Roma population, from preventive On June 20 and 21 you are one of the exposed to. To start with, on June 20, examinations to regular vaccinations. co-organizers of another big regional we are planning a cocktail reception, We will also focus our attention on the conference, dedicated to the inclusion which will be an opportunity for the health of Roma women, since most of of Roma. What has motivated you to participants to get to know each other them try to avoid gynaecological exam- focus your attention on these two top- and discuss the cultural identity of the inations. These are often families with ics in the Western Balkans? Roma. Today, there are institutions that many children, so it is really important that the issue of health is addressed in When I speak to many of my acquaint- deal with it professionally, for exam- ple, the European organization ERIAC, order to find adequate and accessible ances, including ambassadors, they solutions for the Roma community. all direct their efforts to improving based in Berlin, which is in charge of the standard of living in order to fulfil the European cultural identity of the The relations between the Republic the necessary criteria arising from the Roma. I wish Serbs were more engaged of Serbia and the Slovak Republic, EU-accession process, adopt measures in this organization. In February, the as well as the relations between our to prevent the departure of young peo- ERIAC conference was organized in nations, are traditionally very close ple , etc. And it is frequently forgotten Belgrade under the auspices of the and friendly. According to the 2011 that Serbia is a multinational state and Council of Europe, but the attendance census, more than 52,000 Slovaks live that there are many minorities here was not great, and I hope that such in Serbia, predominantly in Vojvodina, - I think that more than 20 minori- opportunities will be better exploited where they are the third largest na- ties have been officially recognized in the future. tional community. What kind of sup- in Serbia. One of these minorities is The whole program of our conference port is provided by the Government also a Roma minority, which is rather was made so that, in the introduction, of the Slovak Republic to the Slovaks dispersed and internally non-homoge- we will deal with the general issue of who live outside the country, includ- neous. As a consequence, it is difficult Roma inclusion, and then we will fo- ing, of course, the Slovak minority in to find their representatives in state cus on certain segments, the specific Serbia? In your opinion, are there ar- institutions and it is the non-govern- areas that I have already mentioned eas in which further progress can be mental sector only, where they can try as the most important: education and made in relation to the position of the to achieve their priorities. Unfortunate- employment of Roma, because when a Slovak national minority in Serbia? ly, the Roma community often stays in person is employed and receives a sal- If I start with some numbers, the cen- the background and their position is ary for their work, they can adequately frequently overlooked. And it is exactly sus results have shown that there are care for their family. The next panel more than 50,000 Slovaks, in particular the OSCE, in its human-legal dimen- is about housing, where we will deal sion, which points to the need to help 52,750, living in Serbia. Unfortunately, I with social housing issues, issues of must say that this number is constantly these communities and to bring back adopting rules for building own hous- hope for a better life. Of course, when decreasing and we will see how many es or apartments. Here we will also Slovaks actually live in Vojvodina in the it comes to this topic, it should start address the issue of the acceptance from the very beginning, specifically next population census. It is estimat- of the Roma community by a major- ed that, in the meantime, between from Roma education. It should begin ity community, i,e. the acceptance of with providing decent housing, adopt- 10,000 and 15,000 people have left the Roma population in general. Topics Serbia for Slovakia or other countries. ing generally accepted social norms, addressed in special panels are very to be accepted by the community in Their total number will eventually be important from the aspect of life and much lower for sure, but I believe it will which they live. I believe that the edu- development of Roma. One of them cation is the corner stone to the Roma not be so disastrous. It is noticeable, is a panel on the situation of Roma however, that the number of Slovak inclusion. During the conference, we women, as many problems need to would like to present the best exam- children enrolled in primary and sec- be solved in this area, starting with ondary schools has decreased. I do not ples of good practice, so that others domestic violence, inadequate pay- could learn something from them. think that significantly less children are ment, insufficient education of Roma born, but rather that fewer marriages These are positive examples not only women, but also the issue of child from Serbia, but also from other coun- are made, because young people are marriages - arranged marriages with simply no longer here, many have left. tries in the region. We will also have girls who are essentially children – 5 Minoroty News 54 We are trying to adapt our programs the Slovak Republic. I do not think that wonderful country, and I think it is on to the nature of our Slovak minority. In funding is a major problem, since the the right path to change for the better, Slovakia, there is a special government Slovak minority lives in Vojvodina in what people who live here deserve. office, that is, the Office for Slovak Di- rather closed communities - we have, aspora, and this office actually finances for example, villages such as Padina, Finally, let me also mention an entire- the program and provides government where as many as 98% of the popu- ly new aspect presented by the Prime support to Slovaks living abroad, in- lation are Slovaks, who belong to the Minister of the Government of the Slo- cluding Serbia. Serbia is among the Augsburg Evangelical Church, which vak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, during countries with the largest number of makes them integrate additionally by his recent visit to Serbia. Prime Minis- Slovaks living outside the borders of religious affiliation, too. ter Ana Brnabic signed an agreement Slovakia, and between 180,000 and on the settlement of the Clearing, 200,000 Euros are allocated from this We are also considering some newer which tackles the debt created during office annually for various project ac- forms of support to the Slovaks, be- the time of Yugoslavia, and we have tivities of the Slovak national minority cause I personally worry about the already internally agreed that part of in Serbia. This support is more or less fact that many of them are leaving the this debt will be returned to Serbia in permanent. Naturally, the Slovak na- country. And, of course, the color of favor of the Slovak national minority. tional minority has the opportunity to Serbia is wonderful because of this di- In particular, we are considering allo- apply for financing of projects in the versity of national minorities. Wherev- cating these funds for the construc- subsidized programs of various sec- er you go, from North to South, you will tion of the Slovak House in Novi Sad, toral ministries in Slovakia, such as, find a completely different ambience in which all the central institutions of for example, the Ministry of Culture. and different customs. Perhaps this is the Slovak national minority would be It is a novelty that, next year, the Min- the future of Serbian tourism. In the located, such as the editorial staff of istry of Environment plans to launch near future, we will consider the new the Slovak weekly “Hlas Ljudu”, the a program to fund the management concept of support to Slovaks abroad, radio programs, there would also be of wastewater abroad. I think that the which will also include a provision of a theater in the building where Slovak Slovaks who live in Serbia are very fa- scholarships for studying at Serbian art will be presented, where we can miliar with the available sources of universities. Nowadays, young people present ourselves with dignity to the financing. The main sponsors of the studying abroad do not have the habit Serbian public. So, I hope that before preservation of the Slovak communi- of returning, and it is in the interest of the expiration of my tour of duty, I will ties abroad are the Office for Slovak young people not to leave the coun- be able to lay this corner stone and Diaspora and the Ministry of Culture of try, but to help it change. Serbia is a then go home in peace. Harmonized Draft Revised Action Plan for Chapter 23 Published Source: Government of the Republic of Serbia n June 10, the Ministry of The consultative process of amending explaining why they are not, if that is Justice of the Government the document started mid-2018, when the case. of the Republic of Serbia more than fifty institutions, which carry O announced that, as a result the activities in fulfilling the measures One of the important novelties in the of a months-long consultative process and objectives of the Chapter 23 Action text of the Draft Revised Action Plan with judicial institutions and civil society Plan, took part in the drafting of the for Chapter 23 refers to the establish- organizations, it had published a new document. In addition, the Ministry of ment of a special Coordinating Body of version of the Draft Revised Action Plan Justice organized roundtables for re- the Government of Serbia, whose role for Chapter 23 on its website. presentatives of the civil society, whose will be to monitor the effectiveness of comments were of great importance the implementation of the measures This version of the Draft Revised Acti- when revising the text of the Action and goals of the Action Plan. Also, the on Plan has been forwarded to the Eu- Plan, which is shown by the fact that same body will have the task of moni- ropean Commission in Brussels, whose more than a half of the total number of toring the implementation of activities experts will provide opinions and re- recommendations of non-governmental envisaged by the Judicial Development commendations for further improve- organizations has been adopted. Strategy for the period 2019-2024, whi- ment of the text. ch is being drafted at the same time as On the website of the Ministry of Justi- the Revised Action Plan for Chapter 23. After reconciliation of the text with the ce, in addition to the text of the Draft recommendations from Brussels, a pu- Revised Action Plan for Chapter 23, all The deadlines foreseen in the Action blic debate will be reopened in order to interested parties can also find a report Plan for Chapter 23 are also defined for continue the transparent and inclusive citing which civil society organizations the implementation of measures envi- process of drafting the final version of have sent their comments, whether saged by the Strategy, the Ministry of the revised Action Plan for this Chapter. they have been adopted or not, and Justice said in a statement. 6 Minoroty News 54 Visit of the Committee for Equality and Non-Discrimination of the Parliamentary

Source: ProvincialAssembly Secretariat for Education, of Regulations,the Council Administration and Nationalof Europe Minorities - National Communities n June 6, members of the Subcommittee on the Rights of National Minorities of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe met in the Assembly of the AP Vojvodina with the representa- tives of the institutions of the AP Vojvodina and the councils of national minorities - national- com O munities and exchanged experience in regard to the realization of the rights of national minorities. Snežana Sedlar, the Deputy Speak- on the activities of his Secretariat er of AP Vojvodina Assembly, who concerning minorities, which are hosted this meeting, briefed them divided into four areas: education, on the specifics of the Province official use of languagesand​​ scripts, and the Assembly of AP Vojvodi- the culture of national minorities na, pointing out that the Provincial and public information in minority Assembly was the right place for languages. the talks on the position and the rights of national minorities and The representative of the Feder- all other issues related to achieving of how a developed minority policy al Union of National Minorities full equality and non-discrimination. can function in a region. It is based on (FUEN), Renata Trischler, presented advanced provision of information in the Minorities’ Security Package In- “I can proudly say that our Assembly the languages ​​of national minorities, itiative (MSPI), a petition aimed at is known by the fact that there are six as well as on the awareness of the ensuring a better future for national languages ​​used officially and equally members of national minorities about minorities - national communities in in its work and MPs can address the their rights. It also contributes to the Europe. According to her, the initiative Assembly in any of these languages. effective official use of the languages​​ does not want to deprive the majority These languages include Serbian, Hun- and scripts of national communities, community or Europe, it simply aims garian, Slovak, Croatian, Romanian a developed network of their cultural at making these communities and Eu- and Ruthenian. Additionally, MPs can institutions, and very good coopera- rope more diverse when it comes to also receive Assembly materials and languages ​​and cultures. address the Assembly com- mittees and working bodies Petition was signed by more in their mother tongue, i.e. in than 1.1 million citizens from the minority languages ​​that eleven EU countries: Hunga- are in official use,” the Deputy ry, Romania, Italy, Slovakia, Speaker of the APV Assembly Spain, Bulgaria, Lithuania, said. Croatia, Denmark, Latvia and Slovenia. Sedlarova also added that the Provincial Assembly has Renata Trischler pointed out special committees dealing that more than four hundred with the issues of the rights national minorities live in Eu- of national minorities. rope, and that the initiative represents their interests. Deputy Prime Minister of the Provincial Government and Provincial tion with the countries of origin and The meeting of the Subcom- Secretary for Education, Regulations, regions,” Njilaš emphasized. mittee on the Rights of National Mi- Administration and National Minori- norities of the Parliamentary Assem- ties - National Communities, Mihalj In addition, the Provincial Secretary bly of the Council of Europe, which Njilaš assessed the meeting as very presented normative frameworks was chaired by Elvira Kovač, was also important and commended the deci- that guarantee the protection of the attended by numerous representa- sion to hold it in Novi Sad, an environ- rights of national minorities in Ser- tives of national councils of national ment of centuries-long harmonious bia and the most important bodies of minorities, who individually expressed life for many national minorities. the Provincial Administration dealing their views, experiences and ideas re- with minority rights, as well as their garding the protection of the rights of “Vojvodina is indeed a good example role. He informed the interlocutors national minorities. 7 Minoroty News 54 There is Room for Further Promotion of Minority Rights enter for Regionalism, with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation, organized the - con ference “Status and Position of National Minorities in the Countries after Disintegration of the C SFRY” in the Gallery of Matica Srpska in Novi Sad on June 18. Participants in the confer- be sufficiently effective. A ence - experts from Slovenia, way forward could be to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzego- create a regional mech- vina, Montenegro, Northern anism, along with, of Macedonia and Serbia spoke course, the improvement about legal and institution- of bilateral agreements,” al frameworks in their coun- Popov said. tries, as well as on the actu- al state of realization of the Vlado Radulović from the rights of national minorities. Office for Human and Alexander Popov, director of Minority Rights remind- the Center for Regionalism, ed that, thanks to “col- addressed the participants leagues from Croatia, at the opening of the confer- they made a methodolog- ence. He pointed out that every ical framework, and later, in 2016, country in the region points out in cooperation with national minor- that the rights of the minorities ity councils and representatives of are in line with the highest Europe- state and provincial authorities, an and world standards, but that they adopted the strategic docu- the real situation indicates that ment Action Plan for the Realiza- there is room for improvement tion of the Rights of National Mi- of minority rights. As Popov said, norities”. for further promotion of minori- “One can say that most of the ac- ty rights it is critical to have both tivities were successful or unsuc- the political will in the respective cessful, depending on the change countries and the democratization of various legislative acts. Most of within the minorities themselves. the activities have been depend- “There are mechanisms, such as ent on the Constitutional amend- bilateral agreements, for improv- ments, so we have a stagnation of ing the position of national minor- 10 percent due to the delay in the ities, but they have proven not to change of this most important doc-

8 Minoroty News 54 ument. The greatest contribution level of cooperation with the coun- “Those who come from mixed mar- has been made in the field of edu- tries of origin also contribute to the riages, as well as those who belong cation,” Radulović noted. overall effectiveness of this minor- to the constituent nations as ethnic ity policy,” the Provincial Deputy Bosniaks, Serbs or Croats, but who Deputy Prime Minister of the Pro- Prime Minister said. do not want to declare their own vincial Government and Provincial ethnicity, say that the Bosnians, Secretary for Education, Regula- which is not a Constitutional cate- WHAT IS THE REAL SITUATION IN gory; you cannot declare yourself THESE COUNTRIES? as a Bosnian,” Seizović said. Nevertheless, Prof. Goran Bašić pointed out the problems that ex- ist in our country. As an example he cited the very definition of nation- al minorities, which, among oth- er things, indicates that a national minority is every group of citizens of the Republic of Serbia, which is sufficiently representative in num- ber. “What does “sufficiently rep- resentative” mean? This means that 275 Aromanians (Cincars) liv- ing in Serbia cannot, for example, take care of their cultural heritage,” Bašić said. He also noted the lack of tions, Administration and National data on the participation of nation- Minorities - National Communities, al minorities in the work of public Mihalj Njilaš believes that substan- services in central Serbia. Prof. Siniša Tatalović spoke about tive progress has been made in the the status of the rights of national realization of the rights of national Dr Zarija Seizović, a professor at minorities in Croatia. As he point- minorities in the last 18 years. the Faculty of Political Science in ed out, after Croatia’s accession to Sarajevo, pointed out the problems the European Union, a part of the “We have both good and bad prac- faced by minority members in Bos- society, right-oriented, began to tices in each of these countries, cre- nia and Herzegovina. As he said, the spread the anti-minority mood. He ated by the breakup of Yugoslavia. Constitution itself has discriminat- also estimated that the media “con- This conference is very tribute to the problems in welcome in the sense exercising minority rights”. that all this has been There is a hate speech and presented in order to the obligation that Croatian look at the status and television took over in 1997 position of national mi- to produce a program in six norities and to discuss languages has​​ not been im- the solutions these plemented to this day. “We problems are being ad- have two shows about mi- dressed with. Vojvodi- norities, but very rare are na is a good example of those broadcasts in minori- how a developed mi- ty languages,” Tatalović said. nority policy operates in one region. This pol- The Center for Regionalism icy is based on a high has focused on the issue of level of information in realization of the rights of minority languages, a functional ed- ing elements. For example, citizens national minorities since the con- ucation system in these languag- who do not want to declare them- ference held in Kotor in 2000. This es, and the awareness of minority selves as members of one of the conference was an opportunity to members themselves. The effective three constituent nations, e.g. as look at the the situation in the for- official use of minority languages Serbs, Croats or Bosniaks, cannot mer Yugoslavia and to define possi- and scripts, a developed network bid for a position of a member of ble solutions for improving the ex- of cultural institutions, and a high the Presidency. isting situation. 9 Minoroty News 54 Roma Community Radojičić: A Decade Is not Sufficient to Solve the Problems of Roma Source: Danas / National Roma Council n solving the problem of Roma inclusion we have to work together. First of all,with the relevant ministry and in accordance with the policy of the Government of Serbia. On the other hand, it is the local level where we must have tangible results, and the Roma and their desire to participate „I in solving the problem is necessary in order to go in the right direction,” Belgrade Mayor Zoran Ra- dojičić said at the closing ceremony of the Regional Conference “The Decade of Roma Inclusion: Legacy, Lessons Learned, Best Practices and What to Do Next?”, which started with a presentation of the culture of the Roma community in the Old Palace on June 20, and ended with a conference at the Palace of Serbia on June 21.

“One decade is not sufficient for entrepreneurship and health. “Our common goal is to build a so- these problems to be solved and ciety where Roma in all countries will permanent and long-term coopera- “When we talk about specific steps, feel free, where they can work and tion between Roma and the majority I would like to note that, since 2014, have the opportunity to be success- community is necessary. Belgrade as a we have helped 266 families in re- ful. We have raised the standards in local self-government has implemen- solving the housing issue. We have the Ministry to the highest level and ted the Republic Strategy for Active helped 50 families to their own bu- we want to introduce the Social Cards Inclusion of Roma Men and Women siness, and we organize workshops Law, following the good practices of in the society since 2016, as well as and finance projects for education of Denmark, to empower women eco- the Strategy for the Improvement of young people, as well as older Roma nomically with entrepreneurship, to the Position of Roma since 2009. We through the activities of the Secreta- help socially vulnerable, and to pre- also plan to outline the Action Plan riat for Social Protection. We all need vent any discrimination. Serbia can of the City of Belgrade for further - the Roma community included - to be considered rich because it has improvement of the position of the talk about problems more often, ac- many minorities, many other coun- Roma and this will be a priority in the cept suggestions, because this is the tries would desire such a diversity, coming period,” he said. only way to progress. I hope that we and we need to use this fact as our will have even more tangible results advantage. The task we all have - the Radojičić pointed out that the City of next time we meet,” Radojičić said. state, non-governmental organizati- Belgrade is also involved in solving Minister of Labor, Employment, Vete- ons and the Roma themselves - is that the problems of informal settlements, we all know our responsibility and do and one of the main goals is to stren- rans and Social Affairs Zoran Djordje- vić stressed that all societies must everything we can to improve their gthen Roma families in the areas of position,” Djordjević said. housing, education, social protection, fight stereotypes. 10 Minoroty News 54 The Deputy Prime Minister of the position of the Roma community will few years the state of Serbia has done Republic of Serbia, Zorana Mihajlo- be informed about them,” Nakić said. a lot in the area of ​​improvement of vić, who is also the President of the the position of Roma, which in some Governmental Coordinating Body According to him, the support pro- areas can represent an example of for Monitoring the Implementation vided by the European Union to the good practice for many countries in of the Strategy for Social Inclusi- process of Roma integration is essen- the region. on of Roma Men and Women, also tial, because, as he said, the Roma are addressed the participants. currently the largest ethnic minority Head of the Political Department in She reminded of many pro- the EU Delegation in Serbia, blems that Roma face daily Noora Hayrinen, stressed and pointed out that, in ad- that the Roma are the largest dition to health care, educa- ethnic minority in Europe. tion and employment, it is “The European Union is the very important to work on partner of the Government the issue of Roma housing, of the Republic of Serbia in which is why Serbia already the process of improving the spends around EUR 9.6 mi- position of the Roma commu- llion through IPA programs. nity, we have allocated up to “For now, we have provi- 11.4 million Euros for inclu- ded better living conditions for 700 in Europe, with population between sion, and we plan to alloca- Roma, and among them there are 10 and 12 million. te another 20 million euros in joint 250 children who now live in normal projects for solving Roma housing apartments. This program is imple- “For this reason, the process of Roma issues. It is up to us all to participate mented in 13 municipalities in Serbia. inclusion must not be left to indvidual in the improvement of their quality of We have also implemented the IPA European countries, it must be the life and that each family lives better program defining urban plans and te- task of the EU as a whole. Only this and is fully integrated into society,” chnical documentation for housing. way, the Roma community can expe- Hayrinen said. And we are currently negotiating a rience a renaissance and accelerate the pace that leads to a better future. Slovak Ambassador Dagmar Repče- new EUR 21 million IPA 2018, most kova thanked all the participants in of which will serve for resolving the The future in which Roma children will be proud of their Roma origin, the conference, which she assessed housing problems of Roma men and as very successful. women,” Mihajlović emphasized. where they will feel free to express their identity, to develop it, and to “We have heard many examples of The President of the National Council affirm it. I must emphasize that all how the life of the Roma community of the Roma National Minority, Dali- citizens, not just Roma, are benefi- can change for the better and bor Nakić, also addressed we have achieved very good the participants at the cooperation for the future. opening of the conference. In order for inclusion to be “We are extremely plea- successful, our voices must sed to be part this event, join together, because we all which will not only discu- want one - a dignified life for ss the problems that the everyone, and this conference Roma community in the has shown that this is possi- region faces, but will also ble,” Repčekova said. exchange experiences of The conference was organi- participants and highlight zed by the Embassy of the examples of good practi- Slovak Republic in Belgrade ce in the field of Roma ciaries of Roma integration. Human - during the mandate of the OSCE inclusion. Recommendations that resources within the Roma communi- Chairmanship - and the Ministry of will come out of the conference are ty are unused. With an adequate tran- Labor, Employment, Veterans and So- very important, but it is even more sition from education to employment, cial Affairs of the Republic of Serbia. important that we ensure their im- the Roma community can contribute A large number of program partners plementation in the future. What I to the economic development and - domestic and international agencies certainly know is that the recommen- progress of both the Western Balkan and organizations - took part in the dations will reach the right addresses region and Europe as a whole. “ preparation of the conference, while and that all relevant factors in the EU the main implementation partner was that have an impact on the creation The President of the National Coun- the Center for Migration Studies from of programs in order to improve the cil of Roma also said that in the past Belgrade. 11 Minoroty News 54 Bosniak community

Representatives of Embassies Visit Source:BNV BNV he defense envoys of the Republic of Austria, the T Federal Republic of Ger- many and the Republic of Bulgaria, Colonel Thomas Ahammer, Colonel Thomas Becker and Colonel Milcho Ignatov visited the Bosniak National Council. Dr. Fuad Baćićanin, Vice President, doc. dr. Hasim Mekić, President of the Executive Committee and Mirza Hajdinović, Secretary of the Council, met with the diplomats on behalf of the Council, and briefed them on The diplomats were also informed ment of a special status for the San- the main activities of the Council and about the initiative of the Bosniak džak region, and were asked to pass the problems of Bosniaks, as well as National Council for resolving the this information to their respective on specific proposals of the Bosniak status of Bosniaks and the status of embassies and the governments of National Council for their resolution. Sandzak status through establish- the countries they represent. Preschoolers Presented with the “Bosnian, Because We Are Bosniaks” Coloring Books n June 12, the President of children of this age and they will help as the equality of the Bosnian langu- the Bosniak National Co- them learn the basics of studying in age with the language of the majority O uncil, Esad Džudžo, with the Bosnian language as well as the population. his associates, distributed coloring symbols and costumes of the Bosniak books to the children of the Kinder- people in Sandžak. In addition to Novi Pazar, the coloring garten “Mladost” in Novi Pazar, as a books have been distributed to the part of the project “Bosnian, Because The aim of the project is to raise public pre-school children in Sjenica, and, on We Are Bosniaks”. awareness on the exercise of the right June 13, future first-graders received to free use of the mother tongue and them at the recital organized at the kin- Coloring books are adapted to the script in the Republic of Serbia, as well dergarten “Habiba Stočević” in Tutin.

12 Minoroty News 54 Croatian Community The “Day of Ivan Antunović” Source: yueco.rs Academy Held Photo: NIU “Croatian Word”

n June 14, in the Grand all students attending class- Hall of the Subotica es in the Croatian language O City Hall, the Croatian in primary and secondary National Council marked the “Day schools, who achieved out- of Ivan Antunović”. In recognition standing results in the school of this significant date for the Croa- year 2018/2019. tian community, the most success- ful pupils of elementary and sec- A number of guests attended ondary schools, who attend classes the “Day of Ivan Antunović” in the Croatian language, were pre- national enlightener who was one in the Grand Hall of the Subotica sented with diplomas and awards. of the first people to recognize the importance of education in preserv- ing the community. He particularly contributed to the cultivation of Cro- atian language and provided financial assistance in the education of many students, Magdić said.

The President of the Croatian Na- City Hall, including representatives tional Council, Jasna Vojnić, thanked of state bodies from the Republic of Deputy State Secretary of the Central everyone who attended the cele- Croatia and the Republic of Serbia, Office for Croats outside the Republic bration on the special day for the the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia, Dario Magdić, reminded Croatian community, the Day of of Croatia in the Republic of Serbia, of the significance of the efforts and Ivan Antunović, an enlightener who as well as representatives of the City actions of Bishop Ivan Antunović, a firmly believed in the importance of Administration of Subotica. education. She particularly praised Members of the Serbian and Croatian Minorities Would Like to Be a Bridge of Cooperation Source: RTV embers of the Serbian mi- port of the National Football Federa- The participants in the meeting con- nority in Croatia and Cro- tions of Serbia and Croatia, with the cluded that it is necessary to organ- M atian minority in Serbia objective to organize a football game ize similar meetings more frequently would like to be a bridge of coopera- in Tavankut between the minorities and agreed on specific cooperation tion and facilitate development of bet- of the two countries and talk about in the field of education, namely on ter relations between the countries, future cooperation. the exchange of pupils between the the leader of MPs of the Independent two countries. Democratic Serb Party in the Croatian Cooperation in the field of culture Parliament, Milorad Pupovac, said and education, as well as cross-border After meeting in the DSHV, Pupovac projects, were the topics of discus- and Žigmanov met with the Mayor of The meeting was jointly organized sion at a meeting in Subotica between Subotica, Bogdan Laban, in the Blue on June 15 by the Croatian National representatives of the Serbian minor- Room of the Town Hall, as well as Council (HNV), the Common Council ity in Croatia and Croatian minority with representatives of the Associa- of Municipalities and the Serbian Na- in Serbia. Both minority parties are tion of Refugees and Expelees from tional Council in Croatia, with the sup- struggling for a better life and greater Croatia. exercise of minority rights. 13 Minoroty News 54 Jewish Community 75th Anniversary of the Deportation of Jews Marked Source: TV Subotica commemorative gath- the memory of the victims who ering in the Synagogue lost their lives because of their on June 14 marked the religion and nation, Laban said. A anniversary of the de- portation of the Subotica Jews to About 4,000 Jews, of 6,000 who the Nazi concentration camps during lived in Subotica before the war the Second World War. Over 4,000 and were the backbone of de- Jews were taken to the death camps, velopment and economic life, and most did not return, which is a to infamous camps, such as Auschwitz were taken to the death camps. Only huge loss for both the Jewish munici- and Mauthausen, never to return. The 1080 returned to their home town af- pality and our city. Representatives of former resident of Subotica now lives ter the war, and in 1948, half of them the City, Jewish municipalities of our in Israel, her name is Marijana Mosk- emigrated to Israel. As the President country, city associations, religious ović, has three children and seven of the Union of Jewish Municipalities communities and other organizations, grandchildren, but, despite the peace, of Serbia, Robert Sabadoš, said, this laid wreaths on the memorial plaque in she fears that the evil might happen day is extremely important, we should the Synagogue and the former ghetto. again. learn from mistakes and we should not allow the tragic history to be re- 75 years ago, Marika Birman was taken At the commemorative gathering, peated. to the Strasshof Camp near Vienna. Al- Mayor Bogdan Laban recalled the though she was a baby, she managed friendly relations of the Serbian and Deportation of Jews to death camps to survive and return from the camp Jewish people, who suffered together was carried out on June 16, 1944. The thanks to her mother, whom she calls and shared difficult moments during Jewish community now has about 250 a hero. Except for her and her mothers, history. Because of the future genera- members, of whom only six Holocaust other family members, too, were sent tions, we should remember and honor survivors.

Albanian Community Mustafa: The Government of Albania Will Finance Part of the Budget of the National Council in Serbia Source: N1 he Government of Albania “This is the first time that the Govern- vedja boycotted the 2011 census. and has adopted the proposal ment of Albania has decided to fund no inofficial estimates of the number of T of Foreign Minister Gent regularly the Albanian National Minority population of these municipalities from Cakaj to take on the obliga- Council in Serbia. So far, only a decision 2015 were taken into consideration. tion of regular financing of the National has been made, and the amount will Council of Albanians in Serbia, and the be specified at a joint meeting of the “The decision on regular financing of the amount will be determined on the basis representatives of the Government and Albanian National Council has shown of the Council’s proposal, the Council’s the Council. This funding will help the that the Government of Albania is seri- President, Ragmi Mustafa, said. National Council of Albanians function ous about its intentions and its interest in its full capacity,” Mustafa said. in helping Albanians living in Serbia,” Mustafa told the Beta Agency that the Mustafa added. Law on National Minority Councils pro- The President of the National Council vides that national councils in Serbia, of Albanians said that this body pres- So far, the Government of Albania has in addition to funds from the state ently does not work in its full capacity allocated EUR 50,000 in the form of budget, can also be financed in other because the funds received from the one-time assistance to help Albanians ways, through donations from various Republic budget have been reduced by living in the municipalities of Preševo sources, mainly coming from the coun- about 40 percent, due to the fact the and Bujanovac, for the purpose of open- tries of origin. Albanian population from the munici- ing an out-of-hospital maternity ward in palities of Bujanovac, Preševo and Med- Preševo in​​ 2015. 14 Minoroty News 54 Slovak Community The President of the Slovak National Minority Council Visited the

Municipality Source: of National Beočin Council of the Slovak National Minority n May 28, 2019, the Pre- They were welcomed by Mayor Mi- the Slovak national minority in the sident of the National Co- tar Milinković and his associates, the municipality, especially with regard O uncil of the Slovak Natio- President of the Municipal Assembly, to education, information, culture nal Minority, Ljibuška Lakatoš visited Zoran Stokuća, and the head of the and official use of languages ​​and the municipality of Beočin, where Lug local community, Kristian Urban. scripts, as well as the legal obligati- she met with representatives of local on of local self-government units to self-government and representati- The participants in the working plan the financing of national mino- ves of the Slovak national minority. meeting discussed the position of rity councils. Festival “Tancuj, tancuj...” - Holiday for the Soul

in Gložan Source: vojvođanske.rs n June 15, 2019, in the outdoor amphitheater, O which is part of the Sports and Recreation Center in Gložan, the 49th folklore festival “Tancuj, Tan- cuj ...” (“Dance, Dance…”) was held. The festival aims to preserve Slovak music, songs, dances, and customs. Over 20 folklore associations from Gložan, Hajdučica, Padina, Kulpin, Bački Petrovac, Aradac, Kisač, Piv- nica, Kovačica, Lalić, Stara Pazova, Šid, Erdevik and from abroad par- ticipated in the Festival. The Festival traditionally begins with participants playing and dancing at a festive defile down the streets, with each intersection for a short time. When they arrive at the amphi- theater, the flag of the event is cer- emoniously raised, and then Gložan becomes the most colorful and the happiest place in the world. And on June 15, this is what it truly was, de- spite the heat. Along with the folklore contents, a number of accompanying sports, cul- tural and sales events are also held. The “Tancuj, Tancuj ...” Festival was followed by numerous printed and TV media outlets. 15 Minoroty News 54 In Janošik, at the 48th “Meeting under

the Linden Trees“Source: Vojvođanska / Hlas ljudu he traditional meeting of ents are present in small villages, such of the evangelical church, priest Sladjan young artists, who pub- as the village of Janošik, and it is only Daniel Srdić, participated in the event. lished their works in the necessary to discover talents and to After the artistic part of the Festival, T youth magazine “Vzlet” in help them on their artistic path through Rev. Srdić invited the attendees to visit the supplement “Rozleti”, was held in their magazine. the church, which was decorated with Banat village Janošik on June 18. In the ribbons and linden branches on the organization of the Publishing House Traditionally, awards for best works occasion of the Holy Trinity holiday. “Hlas Ljudu” and the “Vzlet” Maga- have been presented during the event. This custom of Vojvodina’s Slovaks zine, in the shade of linden trees in the In the category of literary works, Jana was recorded only in the evangelical church yard of the Slovak church in Janošik, Kovači- Evangelical Church, young ca and Padina. Members poets and prose writers, of the Women Association who published their works “Janošičanka” also showed in the journal from Septem- the guests an ethno-room ber 2018 to June 2019, pre- with exhibits older than a sented their work. hundred years, as well as an exhibition of village paint- The whole area was dec- ers. After lunch, the group orated with an exhibition headed for the nearby vil- of artworks, photographs, which were Domonji from Kisač, a student of Slo- lage of Hajdučica. The unique features even more prominent on the Banat vak language and literature in Novi Sad, of this Banat village are the castle of wind, in which the guests enjoyed. received the Rozleti Prize, while in the the Dunđerski family and a beautiful category of fine arts the award was giv- Jasmina Panjik, editor in chief of the park with rare trees. In this multina- en to Lidija Čeman, 8th grade student tional village, they also visited the Ha- magazine “Vzlet”, pointed out that from Kisač. many Slovak writers and academics jdučica Monastery, where one of the from Vojvodina started in the “Vzlet” Members of the Women Association monks briefed them on the history of magazine. She added that young tal- “Janošičanka” and the representative the Monastery.

Ukrainian Community Festival of Ukrainian Cultural

Societies in VrbasSource: Dnevnik / Naše mesto n June 15 and 16, kovar, Prnjavor and other towns more than 700 mem- where members of the Ukrain- bers of Ukrainian cul- ian community live took part in O tural societies from the evening evening concert. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croa- tia, Romania, Ukraine and Serbia The organization of the festival gathered in Vrbas at the 16th was supported by the Office for Ukrainian Culture Festival “Kali- Human and Minority Rights of na”. the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Provincial Secre- In the framework of the festival, a “Karpati”. In the competition, Ukrain- tariat for Education, Regulations, Ad- round table was held on the topic of ian folk songs were performed. ministration and National Minorities preservation of Ukrainian culture and Ukrainian cuisine was presented in - National Communities, the Embassy tradition, followed by an exhibition of the “Drago Jovović” Center, where an of Ukraine in the Republic of Serbia, paintings and photographs of Tamara ethno-exhibition was also organized. the Municipality of Vrbas, the Cultural and Boris Baranovski at the premises Cultural societies from Novi Sad, Kula, Center Vrbas and the Center for Phys- of the Cultural and Educational Society Vrbas, Sremska Mitrovica, Indjija, Vu- ical Culture “Drago Jovović” . 16 Minoroty News 54 Bunjevac Community The Best Works of the Project “Bunjevac

Nice Words” Source: Bunjevac Media Center

n the occasion of the customs, and incorporating them into teacher of the Elementary School “Se- 12th competition of the the cultural life of the city. čenji Ištvan”, Damir Išpanović, talked children authors in the about how important it is to care for O Bunjevac language, the The Honorary President of the Bunje- one’s mother tongue. “Bunjevac Nice Words” Project, a ce- vac Heritage, Mr. Ivan Sedlak and the remony was held in the pre- About 50 works of art, 22 mises of the Bunjevac Herita- works in the field of poetry, ge on June 8th to award the and 23 works in the field children with diplomas and of prose, were received. prizes. The following elementary schools took part in the The project “Bunjevac Nice Project: “Sečenji Ištvan” - Words” has been in existence Subotica, “Sveti Sava” - Su- for twelve years, and its idea botica, “Ivan Milutinović” is to improve learning and no- - Subotica, “Ivan Milutino- urish the Bunjevac language vić” - Mala Bosna, “Matija with the children. The proje- Gubec” - Tavankut, “Vuk ct encourages young people Karadžić” - Bajmak, “Bosa to cherish creativity, preser- Milićević “- Novi Žednik, ving Bunjevac tradition and and “ Pionir “- Stari Žednik. Bunjevac “Huncutarije” n Thursday, June 20, at teen years ago at the Sombor Theat- the National Theater in er scene. It is a comedy, which fol- Sombor, the Association lows the love of two young people O of Citizens “Bunjevac in one small village, while the father Kolo” had a premiere night of the of the maiden opposes their love. amateur play “Ča Grgine Huncutari- A cheerful cast entertained the au- je” in the Bunjevac language, written dience and made them laugh. The by Đura Francišković and directed by whole theater had the opportunity Nenad Zubović. to remember the Bunjevac tradition and dialect. The play was first performed nine- The members of the Drama Section of the “Bunjevac Kolo” and GKUD Ravangrad have rehearsed since the beginning of this year and they have had their rehearsals both in farms and in pubs. Audience reaction jus- tified the hard work of the Drama Section of the “Bunjevac Kolo”, which successfully responded to the acting task. The play was performed under the patronage of the Provincial Secre- tariat for Culture, Public Information and Relations with Religious Com- munities.

17 Minoroty News 54 Hungarian Community Ethno House of Székely Hungarians

Opened in VojlovicaSource: Pančevo Is My Neighborhood

n exceptional building house is richly equipped, especially that testifies to the his- taking into account the fact that it tory, culture and tradi- has been more than 135 years since A tion of Székely Hungari- they moved to this area. ans in Pančevo has recently adorned Vojlovica, one of Pančevo neighbor- Mayor Saša Pavlov expressed his hoods. gratitude to the Government of Hungary and pointed out that The Ethno-House was opened by the Pančevo is proud of all of its citi- State Secretary for National Policy of zens, the offspring of Székely-Hun- the Hungarian Government, Árpád garians, as well as of all 26 national János Potápi, the Mayor of Pančevo, communities living in love, toler- Saša Pavlov, and Vilmos Leci, Presi- ance, good neighborly relations dent of the Cultural Artistic Society meantime, the decision was made to and mutual respect, which is the “Áron Tamási” from Pančevo. make the Székely-Gate, the symbol of greatest wealth of Pančevo. The idea of ​​buying a house next to the Székely-Hungarians. The gate was made Székely -Hungarians, who found their headquarters of the Cultural Artistic in Hungary, the city of Hidas, and from home here, made a great contribution Society “Áron Tamási” in Vojlovica and there it was transported in parts to and enriched Pancevo with their cul- Pančevo. In April 2016, the Székely Gate ture, tradition and folklore, and this was erected and blessed, and from this beautiful building remains for future day on it testifies that Bukovina Széke- generations to continue to nurture all ly Hungarians have lived in Pančevo since 1883. The project continued with the build- ing permit and the laying of the foun- dation of the Ethno House in Septem- ber 2017. The works were carried out diligently throughout the year 2018, and the construction of not only the Ethno House, but also of the whole courtyard, the construction of aux- iliary rooms for the disposal of old tools and wood for heating, the open stage and the decorating of the court- yard of the old building were completed values ​​inherited from their ancestors, by May 2019. The contractor was SZR Mayor Pavlov said. thus expanding the yard was conceived “Šimak” from Padina, entrepreneur The ceremonial opening of the Ethno long ago, at the end of the sixties - in Jan Šimak, who made a lot of effort the early seventies. house of the Bukovina Székely -Hungar- to satisfy all the requirements for the ians gathered all the people of good Based on the consultations with high authentic appearance of Ethno House, will. Many people have unselfishly vol- officials of the Government of Hunga- resembling a military house in which untarily helped the new building get ry and with the donation of the Hun- the ancestors lived: making fireplace a soul and allow cultivation of culture garian State Secretariat for National in old-fashioned way, making wooden and tradition through symbolic return Policy, funds were approved and the decorations, building bricks, arranging to the past. The ceremony was attend- Sales Agreement was signed on 20 Au- paths, parking space, and driveways. ed by high officials from Hungary and gust 2015. The Hungarian Government The villagers of Vojlovica, Székely -Hun- Romania, representatives of the broth- has invested around 100,000 Euros in garians, preserved many useful items, erly town of Bonyhad led by Mayor construction and equipping of the Eth- furniture and textiles, handicrafts, Filóné Ferencz Ibolya, representatives of no House with a summer stage. The and they voluntarily donated them as national communities, cultural institu- months of collecting documentation decorations of the Ethno House. The tions, cultural and artistic societies and and building permits followed. In the a large number of citizens of Vojlovica. 18 Minoroty News 54 Publikaciju podržavaPublikaciju Fondacija podržavaju za otvoreno Fondacija društvo, za otvoreno Ambasada društvo Sjedinjenih i MSP Republike Američkih Bugars Državake. iz Beograda i Misija OEBSMišljenja u Srbiji. objavljena Mišljenja u objavljenabiltenu ne predstavljajuu biltenu ne predstavljaju nužno zvanične nužno stavove zvanične donatora. stavove vlada i organizacija koje finansiraju projekat