Slovakia: Nominations begin for Roma Spirit 2017 under auspices of President Kiska

Nominations have begun for the prestigious ninth annual Roma Spirit awards in Slovakia, which highlight extraordinary deeds and efforts by specific individuals and organizations to improve the life and position of Romani people there. The award is administered by the Association for Culture, Education and Communications (ACEC), Slovak Radio and Television (RTVS), and the Office of the Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Romani Communities.

The event will be held under the auspices of Slovak President Andrej Kiska. "All of the nominations accepted are evidence that a humane life, the idea of equality, and fundamental human rights are still present in our society. We believe in the good of humanity and in the moral worth of individuals and society, and we will continue to focus on the activity of people who demonstrate, through the stands that they take, how to build bridges beween people irrespective of their being of different nationalities or origins," said Magdaléna Rothová, ACEC director.

"I would like to express my admiration to all of them for their activities and their approach to life, and I would also like to thank those who send in nominations and tell us about these extraordinary deeds, people and subjects every year," she said. The competition features seven categories: Individual, Action of the Year, Culture, City or Municipality, Company or Employer, Non-Governmental Organization, and Media.

Nominations may be sent by e-mail, by post, or by completing the online form at www.romaspirit.sk by 15 September. The 9th annual Roma Spirit awards will culminate with the gala ceremony announcing the prizewinners on 26 November 2017.

There will be 21 nominees, three in each category. The international Expert Jury and another juty for Action of the Year will choose one prizewinner per category.

A recording of the ceremony is traditionally made by Channel 2 of Slovakia's public broadcaster RTVS. "We frequently think of Romani people as an issue, as a problem we are meant to solve, but Romani people are frequently a great benefit to those around them, including at the level of the entire country. I am pleased that each year, on the occasion of awarding the Roma Spirit prize, we are able to encounter those who clearly send the important message that all of us have the potential to change things around us for the better," said Ábel Ravasz, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Romani Communities, at the press conference announcing the 9th annual Roma Spirit awards in Slovakia.