In early April 2025, the official award ceremony for the second edition of the contest "Roma in the 21st Century – Challenges and Opportunities" took place. The event was organized by leading Roma and pro-Roma organizations* in celebration of International Roma Day on April 8.
The competition aimed to engage young people aged 15 to 25 with topics related to Roma identity, culture, and the challenges of today’s world. Participants had the opportunity to express themselves through written essays and video entries.
The winners included:
Essay Category:
- 1st place – Andzhelina Naydenova
- 2nd place – Rayna Kirilova
- 3rd place – Desislav Atanasov
Video Category:
- 1st place – Sabka Tsvetkova
- 2nd place – Ayshe Bilyal
- 3rd place – Ivaylo Ivaylov
- Special Award – Ani Kovacheva
The jury was deeply impressed by the participants’ engagement, critical thinking, and creativity. Their works offered inspiring perspectives on pressing issues such as cultural heritage, language, digital misinformation, and global migration — all viewed through the lens of the Roma community.
This event was more than just a celebration of youth creativity — it was a moment to reflect deeply on the role of the Roma community in a changing world. The Roma movement has long moved beyond simply demanding justice. Back in 1971, it redefined its very identity by adopting the term “Roma” as a unifying name for diverse communities around the world. The development and standardization of the Romani language in academic circles challenged long-standing stereotypes — such as the idea that Roma people lack a written language or cultural heritage. The real achievement of the Roma movement lies in how it has shown the richness and vitality of Roma culture — from music and the arts to traditional crafts that have left a lasting mark on Europe’s cultural landscape.
History also reminds us that, over a century ago — in 1905 — the first Roma congress in Europe was held in Bulgaria. Although little known, this fact highlights just how deep the roots of the Roma struggle for equality and cultural self-determination truly run.
Today, however, this long-standing struggle for identity faces new challenges. In recent years, there has been increasing public discourse — including campaigns and commentary — that question the legitimacy of messages coming from NGOs that have long defended the rights and cultural uniqueness of the Roma community. These initiatives, which aim to support various social projects, are often met with criticism from certain political circles. Such critics portray NGOs and their causes as “foreign influence” and a threat to traditional values. In doing so, they undermine the Roma people's historic struggle for civic self-determination — a struggle rooted not in outside pressure, but in an internal drive for equality and social justice.
Why Is Collaboration Among Roma Organizations So Important?
Organizing a contest like this symbolizes a renewal of collective energy. For the second year in a row, more and more Roma organizations have joined forces to support an initiative that not only affirms Roma cultural heritage and identity, but also redefines what equality and justice mean in today’s society. The gathering of many Roma organizations around the contest sends several powerful messages. First and foremost, it shows that the Roma community is capable of raising its own questions and creating an internal space for dialogue — a space where history, identity, and cultural values are shared and affirmed. In doing so, it challenges the harmful stereotype of Roma as a “cultureless” people and highlights their undeniable contribution to Europe’s rich cultural fabric.
Second, this kind of united effort makes clear that collaboration between organizations is not just beneficial — it’s a strategic imperative. As Shakir Pashov, known as the “apostle of the Roma” in Bulgaria, emphasized, the importance of Roma leaders and activists lies not only in the historical record, but also in how they continue to inspire today’s and tomorrow’s Roma youth. The new generation carries both the responsibility and the opportunity to learn from the past, to reinterpret Roma cultural identity, and to present it to a wider audience with courage and confidence.
In a time marked by globalization, economic uncertainty, and deep social divides, collective initiatives like this one prove that the Roma voice is not only being heard — it’s actively shaping the future of the community. Knowledge of one’s own history — from the first Roma (or Coptic) Congress in 1905, to the legacy of figures like Shakir Pashov — becomes the foundation on which a new generation builds its identity and aspirations.
Why Is This Contest Important for Young Roma?
Contests like this one take on even greater significance when Roma culture and history remain underrepresented in the official school curricula determined by the Ministry of Education. This lack of visibility often results in limited understanding — and sometimes prejudiced perceptions — of the Roma community’s contributions to society. Roma culture is treated as a marginal topic in schools, and mainstream textbooks rarely include meaningful information about Roma history or cultural heritage. Moreover, historical and systematic efforts at assimilation — implemented through various state policies from the communist era to the present day — have contributed to the marginalization of Roma identity and the suppression of its development. For example, many textbooks either reduce Roma figures and events to clichés or leave them out entirely.
That’s precisely why initiatives like this contest are so crucial. They encourage students and young Roma to engage more deeply with their history, culture, and the social issues affecting their communities. Through creative participation, young people not only discover the richness of Roma heritage, but also develop critical thinking skills. They learn to seek out and analyze historical facts
and personal stories that affirm their identity and connect them to their own lived experiences. This process acts as a powerful catalyst for personal growth and civic engagement.
We warmly congratulate all the winners and thank every participant for their dedication, inspiration, and courage to be a voice for change!
The finalist essays and videos from the contest will be available on our website soon.
*Foundation “Trust for Social Achievement,” Association “Integro,” Association “Liberal Alternative for Roma Civil Union,” Youth Foundation “Arete,” Association “Roma Academy for Culture and Education,” Foundation “Student Society for the Development of Interethnic Dialogue,” Association “New Road” – Hayredin, and the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe.”