Slovak Romanies to learn about euro from songs

Slovak Romanies will be informed about the exchange of crowns for euros as from January 1, 2009, when Slovakia adopts the single European currency, also from songs recorded on a CD that was presented in the Slovak National Bank today.

The CD offers songs focused on the euro in the Roma language as well as other information.

"It is no secret that Romanies have a close relation to music, dance and entertainment. The CD has a chance to address them in a more acceptable way than the standard printed material," Igor Barat, government commissioner for the euro adoption, told CTK.

Barat, along with Anina Botosova, government commissioner for the Romany community, christened the CD called "Eurosong" today.

Romanies probably do not read papers and do not listen to TV and radio news very often, Barat said.

AUDIO

Cinkeras vašo euri – Nakupujeme za eurá

Euro hin amaro – Euro je naša mena

O Euro avel – Euro prichádza

Though Romanies belong to the lowest-income groups in the country, they have enough CD-players to play the songs, the project’s authors say and Barat confirmed it.

Botosova said she hopes the songs would score success among Romanies and she would hear them during her visits to Romany settlements.

"You will wake up on New Year’s Day and with euro you will pay," Slovak rapper El Suvereno sings in a song on the CD.

"The crown is ageing, euro is knocking on the door, you can pay with it nearly in the whole of Europe," another song says.

The CD, issued in 20,000 copies, will be distributed in Romany settlements in Slovakia.

Apart from the CD, the Romany touring theatre Romathan will spread information about the euro among Romanies. The theatre ensemble will perform a new comedy on this issue.

The Slovak currency should become history shortly after January 1, 2009. The crown and euro will circulate in Slovakia only for 16 days after the adoption date.