Roma culture featured in exhibition

TIRANA – An exhibition featuring handicraft objects and traditional costumes created by Roma people in Albania was held on Tuesday at the premises of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The exhibition came in the frame of the International Roma Day, April 8 and the Roma Cultural Days in Albania. The goal of the event organized by the ministries of Culture and Social Affairs was to present commitments to the social inclusion and integration of the Roma community as well as promote their contribution to the country’s cultural life
“We should be more careful about the Roma minority by advocating more initiatives promoting Roma people’s culture,” said Culture Minister Ferdinand Xhaferaj.
Representatives of state institutions, international organizations and civil society participated in the event. Roma musicians also performed in the activity.
Events continued also on Thursday when a big concert held at the premises of the Tirana circus.
The ministry said such activities serve to preserve and protect cultural diversity and make the society more familiar with the values of the Roma community.
Several months earlier, a section on the culture of Diaspora and minorities was established at the Ministry of Culture holding a series of meetings all over the country with minority representatives in Albania.
Two years ago, the Roma community became a member of the Decade of Roma Inclusion.
With an estimated population of around 100,000 people, the Roma community in Albania, known only as a linguistic minority, remains the poorest and most discriminated community often without access to basic services such as education and healthcare.