The Roma Spirit 2025 gala evening, held in the Great Hall of Slovak Radio, presented the laureates of the seventeenth edition of the awards across seven categories. Once again, the event highlighted exceptional individuals, municipalities, schools, initiatives and organisations whose dedicated work and human approach contribute to improving the lives of Roma in Slovakia and fostering respectful coexistence
In the Non-Governmental Organisation category, the winner was Svet ticha, a civic association providing systematic support to Deaf Roma who face double marginalisation. In the Society and Employer category, the award went to Alma Primary School in Zvolen for its innovative inclusive education model developed in cooperation with CEEV Živica.
The Municipality and Town category was awarded to the town of Spišské Podhradie for its long-term and systematic work in the inclusion of marginalised communities. In the Media category, the award was presented to Róbert Hamburgbadžo, a journalist and presenter who brings an authentic voice of the young Roma generation into the public sphere.
In the Personality category, the jury recognised footballer and youth coach Eugen Bari, known as “the Romário of Žitný ostrov”. Rising from modest circumstances to the first league, he now inspires young footballers with his personal example. The Culture category was won by the Gypsy Jazz Festival, which under the leadership of Miloš Suchomel blends Roma musical traditions with world jazz, Balkan rhythms and Slovak folklore.
The Act of the Year award was presented to Miroslav Kováč, who successfully advocated for the re-assessment of a pupil unjustly placed in a special school, enabling him to continue in mainstream education.
A particularly notable moment of the evening was the special award presented to the founder of ACEC and creator of Roma Spirit, Ľubomíra Slušná Franz. In recognition of her long-term vision, creativity and ability to bring people together across communities, she received the Roma Spirit Award for Outstanding Contribution, presented by the Public Defender of Rights, Róbert Dobrovodský. Her message was clear: “There is no us and them. There is only us — all of us who care about where and how we live.”
The gala was hosted by Dominika Badžová and Marcel Forgáč. The atmosphere of the evening was enhanced by performances from Peter Lipa, Erika Rein & ERØ, Miloš Biháry, Fvck_Kvlt and many other artists.
Roma Spirit 2025 is organised by the Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC), Slovak Television and Radio, and the Office of the Plenipotentiary of the Government of the Slovak Republic for Roma Communities. Roma Spirit 2025 took place under the
auspices of the Public Defender of Rights, Róbert Dobrovodský, and the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, both of whom supported the event with their personal attendance.
A recording of the gala will be broadcast by Slovak Television on 10 December 2025 — International Human Rights Day — on channel Dvojka.
For more information: www.romaspirit.sk
