gorskivijenac:

The first review of Roma cultural achievements, Petar Otoranov at Niš, Serbia.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the first societies dealing with Roma education, culture and social issues were established in Yugoslavia. One of the main initiators of the idea of ​​interconnecting the Roma within Yugoslavia was the pioneer and writer, Slobodan Berberski. He was also the president of the First World Congress of Roma held in London in 1971, when decisions were made in the spirit of the national awakening of Roma: a common name was established for all Roma in the world, the appearance of the flag and the Roma anthem The activities of the Yugoslav delegates at the following congresses proved to be decisive for the networking of Roma communities worldwidemIn the context of the mentioned initiatives, a cultural event of great importance for the Roma in Yugoslavia, but also in the world, is emerging. “The first review of Roma cultural achievements” was held in Nis in 1974 with the efforts of a prominent Roma activist, the then president of the “Roma Association” from Niš, Saito Balić. The first festival included a literary evening, an exhibition of paintings, an exhibition of old Roma crafts, a panel discussion on Roma culture and a folklore festival. The event was attended by 19 societies with 540 performers, and it was opened with a parade of all folklore groups through the city center, while the main part of the cultural and artistic program was held on the Summer Stage in the Niš Fortress. Petar Otoranov, a photo-reporter for the newspaper “Politika”, who has immortalized the landscapes, cities, society and cultural events of Yugoslavia in his long-term work, had the opportunity to notice the festival, whose tradition is still nurtured in the culture of the Roma people.