Do you know any inspiring personalities, companies or stories that shatter prejudices and stereotypes, or improve the relations and coexistence of Roma and non-Roma people? Do not hesitate to nominate them for Roma Spirit 2021! Applications for the award must be submitted online at www.romaspirit.sk by 31 August 2021.
“Being nominated for Roma Spirit was a really powerful moment for me. Partly, because someone let me know that they see what I’m doing, but more importantly for myself. It was an opportunity to publicly announce my Roma origin and broaden the view of stereotypical ideas about Roma people, who are mostly perceived (only) as excellent musicians or singers, or (in a negative way) as freeloaders.” said Emília Rigová, the winner of Roma Spirit 2018.
Thanks to the applications received from all over Slovakia, we get to know 21 unique finalists of the award every year. The seven laureates of the 13th Roma Spirit in the categories of Non-governmental Organization, Company and Employer, Municipality and Town, Personality, Media, Culture and Act of the Year will be decided by an international Expert Jury and the Act of the Year Jury.
The announcers of the 13th Roma Spirit are the Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC) and Radio and Television of Slovakia. The event is held under the patronage of the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputová and the Public Defender of Rights Mária Patakyová.
“Submitting an application for the award is an expression of support and gratitude. It is an appreciation of the work and energy of everyday deeds and actions – the ones we mostly forget to say thanks for and tend to overlook,” said Magdaléna Rothová, ACEC Director. “We are all the more pleased to be able to present them publicly because they are real, meaningful and bring results,” she added.
The partner of the category “Act of the Year” is Radio Expres, the partner of the category “Media” is the Open Society Foundation, the partner of the category “Non-governmental Organisation” is the Carpathian Foundation, and the partner of the category “Culture” is the State Scientific Library in Prešov. A recording of the Roma Spirit 2021 award ceremony will be broadcast by RTVS on 9 December 2021, on International Human Rights Day.
Roma Spirit has been creating a multidisciplinary space to promote social cohesion, the development of intercultural dialogue and the elimination of any manifestations of intolerance since 2009. Over the past years, 1,714 activities, projects, organisations, and outstanding personalities have been nominated for the Roma Spirit award. Seventy-six laureates have already received the award. The author of the idea of Roma Spirit is Ľubomíra Slušná-Franz, President of ACEC.
The Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC) is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to build understanding, promote international cultural exchange, education and create space for enhancing mutual communication. In its educational activities, ACEC focuses on the development and implementation of educational and outreach programmes aimed at socially disadvantaged groups.
