In 1992, the United Nations and the European Union, at the suggestion of the International Roma Organisation Romano Union, declared 8 April International Roma Day. On the eve of this day, Integro Association, Liberal Alternative for Roma Civic Unity, Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance - Amalipe and TCA announced a contest to connect the messages of the First World Roma Congress with young people in the 21st century.
Since the end of World War II, Roma in various countries and international Roma leadership have had a difficult time paving the way for the recognition of the Roma Holocaust - also known as Porajmos and Samudaripen. Despite the difficulties, the international Roma movement has brought the pressing and invisible demands of Roma to the decision-making table of the international community, and the development and promotion of the human rights paradigm has played a key role in the achievements of Romano Union International. Achievements that pave the way for Roma development to this day.
The Roma movement also proclaims the self-name "Roma" as a universal term that unites all Roma around the world. After 1971, serious changes took place with regard to the Roma language, which was intensively developed and standardized in various academic centers. There was also a recognition that Romani is one of the most ancient languages, which has survived despite medieval persecutions and prohibitions.
Roma culture is given another perspective - inspiring and leaving its mark on almost all national European cultures. A culture that modernised and refreshed medieval Europe.
Today, these messages and struggles of Roma national and international movements have almost been superseded by the challenges of the 21st century. Very often, the Roma language and Roma culture are seen as something that hinders Roma integration. Roma and Roma culture are often used as synonyms for poverty, vulnerability and marginalisation.
Within this competition we would like to encourage young people in Bulgaria to discover and submit authentic Roma stories about the Roma language, Roma culture and Roma activism. To learn about and reflect on past Roma events and Roma personalities who have had a positive impact not only on the Roma community, but on Bulgaria as a whole, but whose stories have remained locked within their family and community. To explore and make sense of the richness of the Roma language and culture by bringing Roma everyday life to a wider audience.
Regulations for participation
The competition provides two forms of participation: written and video.
The written format should contain between 600 and 1000 words. Citations and references to other texts are allowed - up to 20% (for example: if you have 1000 words, 800 must be yours and up to 200 words citations and references).
Video format should be between 1 and 3 minutes. Permissible use of other video resources - up to 20%.
If plagiarism is detected, the Commission will consider whether to suspend the candidate from the competition. Plagiarism is when text/video material is borrowed from another author, work of art or idea and presented as one's own without full acknowledgement of the other's authorship. Entries must not infringe the copyright, trademarks, contractual rights or other intellectual property rights of any third party or entity or violate privacy or publicity rights and may not include:
Trademarks owned by third parties;
Copyrighted material owned by third parties (including film dialogue or musical compositions);
Names, appearances, voices, or other characteristics identifying celebrities or other public figures, living or dead.
Essay Contest Topics:
"Roma activists: community defenders past and present - familiar but untold stories of the Roma movement"
"Roma culture: the invisible power of the community - passed down through generations and living in our everyday lives"
"The Romani language: the ancient window to the unknown world - a heritage of the centuries"
Video contest topics:
"Roma culture is..."
"Roma culture is not..."
"3 facts and 3 myths about the Roma language"
"The Unknown Roma Personality or the Unknown Roma Event that Changed Bulgaria"
Conditions for participation in the competition
Requirements: Participants must be between 14-22 years of age - high school or university students.
By participating in the competition, everyone who has submitted a written text or video material gives their consent to be published freely and free of charge by the organisers of the competition.
Each entry must be accompanied by the following information: three names, age, address, email, phone, school (student). Each author may enter only one entry of his/her choice - text or video.
Language of the essay and video: Bulgarian. Texts in Romanes will also be accepted, accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian. The same applies to the videos - if in Romanes, they should have Bulgarian subtitles.
Technical requirements for text: A4 format, Times New Roman font, font size 12.
Technical requirements for video: well-formatted and processed videos, with clear sound and picture. The film can be shot with a professional camera, with a phone or with other shooting equipment.
Required props of the video: title and subtitle; caption with the name of the participant(s) speaking from the screen; author(s), final captions with the participants and the technical team of the film production; sound. When shooting the film with a phone, it is mandatory to hold it horizontally to use the whole screen (when shooting with a vertical phone, the screen is reduced and it comes out with black boxes on the sides).
Please note that captioning is encouraged to make it easier for people with reduced or impaired hearing.
Assistance from teachers is only acceptable when editing footage or as consultants on technical issues.
E-mail address for sending the works: vdimitrova@tsa-bulgaria.org
Contest deadlines
Start date: 15.03.2024
Deadline for submission of the competition entry: 10.04.2024 г.
Announcement of winners: between 15-19 April, 2024.
Awarding: 15-19 April, 2024
Prize fund for essay participation
The prize fund for first place is: 600 BGN.
The prize fund for second place is: 500 BGN.
The prize fund for third place is: 400 BGN.
Prize fund for participation with video
The prize fund for first place is: 600 BGN.
The prize fund for second place is: 500 BGN.
The prize fund for third place is: 400 BGN.
Personal data
The personal data that you will send us and that we will process is name, address and contact information - it is necessary for us to be able to contact you about the competition. Information about your age - we need this to confirm whether you meet the age criteria for entry.
Personal data will be retained by us for a period of up to five (5) years after the winners have been announced and will then be deleted unless it is necessary to retain it in connection with the legitimate interests of any of the organisations.
By submitting your entries and participating in the competition "Following the legacy of the First World Roma Congress in 1971: the Roma language, culture and movement - yesterday, today and tomorrow", you agree:
be filmed during the competition in video and photo material that can be used in the country and abroad to illustrate and promote the objectives of the competition and good practices. Photos may be published on the internet, shared in print and electronic media, including social networks, used for covers of print and electronic publications.be filmed during the competition in video and photo material that can be used in the country and abroad to illustrate and promote the objectives of the competition and good practices. Photos may be published on the internet, shared in print and electronic media, including social networks, used for covers of print and electronic publications.
organisations to process your personal data in the way described above. You have the right to access, rectify, erase your personal data and other rights provided by law. If you would like to exercise your rights or have any questions regarding the processing of your personal data, please contact us at: vdimitrova@tsa-bulgaria.org
Criteria for essay and video evaluation
The text/video follows a clear and justified logic on the chosen topic - 0-3 points
The topic in the text/video is addressed in both a small and large context - there is a clear connection between the two - 0-4 points
There is a clear logical connection between the topic and the lives of Roma - 0-4 points
Contains examples of history, situation that show a narrative that is authentic, community-based and has high added value for the development and affirmation of the Roma movement, culture and language - 0-5 points
The text/video inspires authentic participation in the Roma movement, promoting Roma culture and preserving the Roma language - 0-5 points
The author of the text/video tells about his/her personal story; the project he/she initiated; the event he/she organized, etc.; that show a clear personal commitment to the Roma movement, culture and language - 0-5 points
The text/video has a strong message of engagement with the Roma movement, culture and language - 0-3 points
Well structured and grammatically correct presentation of text - both written and audio - 0-2 points
The maximum number of points is 31
