The 16th edition of the Roma Spirit awards brought a powerful message of hope, inspiration, and values that are crucial for the continued development of Slovakia. This year, the awards recognised exceptional individuals, organisations, and projects contributing to improving the position of Roma communities and promoting mutual coexistence.
During the ceremonial gala held at the Grand Hall of the Slovak Radio, the Roma Spirit 2024 awards were presented to laureates in seven prestigious categories.
In the Nonprofit Organisation category, the award was granted to Alternatíva – Centrum nezávislého života, n.o. from Lučenec for its long-standing work supporting young people with disabilities in their transition to active life. Deaf Group s.r.o. from Veľký Krtíš received the award in the Company and Employer category for its innovative approaches to employing people with health and social disadvantages. The award in the Municipality category went to Kesovce, a village in the Rimavská Sobota district, for its contribution to local community development.
In the Media category, the award was presented to ZŠ Drienovec for its school project VIP TV Drienovec, which focuses on supporting education and the development of media literacy among young people. Ethnologist René Lužica received the Personality award for his research and scholarly work, which contributes to a deeper understanding and preservation of Roma culture.
In the Culture category, fashion designer Monika Vonztemuová was recognised for her contribution to inclusive design. Daniela Bernátová, who became a symbol of humanity and solidarity through her selfless help to siblings in need, was awarded Act of the Year.
The Roma Spirit 2024 awards celebrated not only the winners but also the important values that bring positive change and support equality in society.
The gala evening was enriched by performances from leading artists, whose performances enhanced the atmosphere and reinforced the message of diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect. On stage, performances were given by Barbora Botošová, Katka Koščová & Daniel Špiner, Jan Bendig, Divé maky, Ricco Šarközi, and many others.
A recording of the ceremonial gala will be broadcast by Slovak Television on 5 December at 8:10 PM on Dvojka.
The Roma Spirit 2024 awards are organised by the Association for Culture, Education, and Communication (ACEC), Slovak Television, Radio and Television Slovakia (RTVS), and the Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities. The event took place under the patronage of the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, and the Public Defender of Rights, Róbert Dobrovodský.
More information: www.romaspirit.sk
