Activist writes life stories of Czechs with Romany roots

One Hundred Romany Personalities is the title of a new book by activist Vaclav Miko who tells the life stories of 100 people with Romany roots, Frantisek Horvath, from the Romani Aliance association, has told CTK.

"The book is one of those that...promote the positive view of Romanies," Horvath said.

The book includes the stories of musician Boban Markovic, activist Emil Scuka, the sisters Ida Kelarova and Iva Bittova, both musicians and singers, journalist Jarmila Balazova, Romany Culture Museum director Jana Horvathova and others.

Miko is chairman of Roma Realia. This association wrote a letter to new U.S. President Barack Obama, in which it complained about the "upsurge of Czech nationalists."

More than two years ago Miko's association together with others turned to the Pope over the statements made by Christian Democrat (KDU-CSL) chairman Jiri Cunek about Romanies.

It was when Cunek was mayor of Vsetin, north Moravia, and the town had Romany families moved out from a dilapidated house in the town centre.

The Romanies asked the Pope to interfere in the case, saying Cunek did not behave as a Christian politician and that he should be reprimanded.