Video & Audio Podcast
from Kosovo
Produced by Radio La Benevolencija HTF © 2016-2018
Partner in Kosovo: NGO RoMtegra
Directed by: Orhan Galjus
Edited by: RoMtegra
Production: Adriana Costa Souza
Production coordinators in Kosovo: Daut Qulangji & Avdi Misini
THE CONTINUUM
SELF-EMPOWERMENT AND HISTORY
How much is the suffering of the Roma during the World War II known, even among the Roma? The stories about the destinies of older relatives that survived concentration camps were the only sources of knowledge. Even during the recent conflict in Kosovo Roma were victims of war crimes, beaten by both sides. Can deeper knowledge about own history be used for self-empowerment in a struggle for a better position in the society?
THE FUTURE
CONCENTRATION CAMPS OF THE PAST AND THE NEW ROMA IDENTITY OF THE FUTURE
How come the fear of concentration camps in Auschwitz-Birkenau, Mauthausen and Jasenovac is present in Kosovo where the Roma communities were not exposed to persecutions during the World War II? How the genocide committed against various Roma communities around Europe contributes to the Roma identity of the Roma in Kosovo?
Subtitles and Language settings: click [CC] to choose available subtitles.
This is a version with English graphics. Click here for version in Romani.
In this video, in order of appearance:
Isak Avdo, pensioner; Bashkim Ibishi, NGO Advancing Together; Kujtim Pacaku, MP Kosovo Assembly; Gazmend Saljijevic, European Center for Minority Issues (ECMI); Avni Mustafa, NGO Advancing Together; Edis Galushi, MA English language; Nexhip Menekshe, NGO Durmish Aslano; Isak Skenderi, NGO Voice of Roma, Ashkali & Egyptians;
Subtitles and Language settings: click [CC] to choose available subtitles.
This is a version with English graphics. Click here for version in Romani.
In this video, in order of appearance:
Kujtim Pacaku, MP Kosovo Assembly; Denis Galushi, student; Edis Galushi, MA English language; Gazmend Saljijevic, European Center for Minority Issues (ECMI); Hysni Culangji, NGO Rromani Baht; Bashkim Ibishi, NGO Advancing Together; Osman Osmani, NGO Nevo Koncepti; Isak Skenderi, NGO Voice of Roma, Ashkali & Egyptians;
Audio version:
Music: White Atlantis by Sergey Cheremisinov, Night II by Swelling, and some excerpts from the music of Barcelona Gipsy BalKan Orchestra
Highlighted Keywords
Think and Reflect
Some of the most significant statements by the interviewees, the “keywords”, are selected for further discussion and examination. The quotes are presented together with the respective screenshots from the video. Each quote is related to one of the 12 themes (this is marked above each screenshot). Review and discuss the selected quotes. You might also:
Find the selected quote in the video. Listen again to the whole conversation.
Analyze what can we learn from the selected quote.
If it is a testimony/personal experience: when and where did it happen? Who were the protagonists? Describe what happened.
Do you have any similar personal experiences, or other knowledge that helps you understand the described event/experience better?
Why, in your opinion, is the selected quote related to that particular theme. Could it also be related to some of the other proposed themes? Explain.
Watch the video again and find other significant quotes or other moments that made impression on you. Explain why did you choose it, and how did you understand it.
Relate the quote you have chosen with one of the 13 themes. Explain.
Theme:
Continuity of Discrimination
Theme:
Challenges Today
Theme:
Continuity of Discrimination
Theme:
Lasting Imprints
From video 1:
THE CONTINUUM
Roma are discriminated. Let them come and see as a clear document how Roma survived. There are some who collected bread from trash cans.
Isak Avdo, pensioner;
From video 1:
THE CONTINUUM
Now, even more I am getting worried with the fact that there are right wing political movements throughout Europe, which is predominantly against Roma.
Bashkim Ibishi, NGO Advancing Together;
From video 1:
THE CONTINUUM
The difficult conditions of Roma have brought that (emigration). Not a single Roma man, Roma woman, Roma boy, Roma girl has left Kosovo smiling. They left Kosovo crying.
Kujtim Pacaku, MP Kosovo Assembly;
From video 1:
THE CONTINUUM
Roma were affected by every war. The last war in Kosovo was the toughest and we had to bear the greatest burden.
Gazmend Saljijevic, European Center for Minority Issues (ECMI);
Theme:
Continuity of Discrimination
Theme:
Roma and Sinti Voices
Theme:
Continuity of Discrimination
Theme:
Continuity of Discrimination
From video 1:
THE CONTINUUM
If you are Roma, you will know what discrimination is. Because, there is no single Roma who was not discriminated at least once or several times by the others.
Avni Mustafa, NGO Advancing Together;
From video 1:
THE CONTINUUM
When you have a strong back, concretely a country, you are more powerful. Roma are unfortunate to not have this strong back, even when they want to progress. But still, it is a little bit Roma’s own fault, because we accept the victimization.
Edis Galushi, MA English language;
From video 1:
THE CONTINUUM
There is discrimination, indirect discrimination, and again we are victims in various aspects.
Nexhip Menekshe, NGO Durmish Aslano;
From video 1:
THE CONTINUUM
Even in the 21st century, Roma life has less value. Unfortunately, there is much work to be done to emphasize that the Roma life is as worthy as any other life.
Isak Skenderi, NGO Voice of Roma, Ashkali & Egyptians;
Theme:
Shared History and Roma Identity
Theme:
Shared History and Roma Identity
Theme:
Knowledge, Awareness and Education
Theme:
Recognition
From video 2:
THE FUTURE
Kosovo Roma has heard about Nazism and since then Roma have feared. Kosovo Roma were not in Germany, they remained in Kosovo, but overall, there was a great horror towards Roma in Auschwitz, towards Roma in Birkenau, towards Roma in Mauthausen, towards Roma in Jasenovac and towards Roma in Niš and towards Roma in entire Europe who have directly or indirectly experienced the black horror of murder.
Kujtim Pacaku, MP Kosovo Assembly;
From video 2:
THE FUTURE
When world`s great dictators have tried to exterminate our culture, our language, our origin, our history and our identity, this has made us even stronger so that today we have remained alive, to show our identity that we are Roma. We have no address or a country where we live, but the world is our country.
Denis Galushi, student;
From video 2:
THE FUTURE
Now new school textbooks are being written. We must intervene now to see what is being written about Roma in those books.
Edis Galushi, MA English language;
From video 2:
THE FUTURE
(Recognition of the Roma genocide) would have had a very positive effect. It would show and prove to the society that Roma were victims of a regime, which has brought great harm to humanity, as well as to Roma. At the same time it would show and initiate a positive sympathy from the majority towards Roma and towards their empowerment. It means empowerment in the sense that to be united and to build their life and a society, which tomorrow would be stronger and would prevent any similar situations as the Holocaust in the Second World War.
Isak Skenderi, NGO Voice of Roma, Ashkali & Egyptians;
Theme:
Knowledge, Awareness and Education
Theme:
Shared History and Roma Identity
Theme:
Commemoration
Theme:
Recognition
From video 2:
THE FUTURE
We must make the first move and to call upon institutions to support us and to call upon our Roma to get educated and to promote our history.
Gazmend Saljijevic, European Center for Minority Issues (ECMI);
From video 2:
THE FUTURE
We must take initiatives, to go to the Government and to tell them that these Roma were part of the Holocaust. Yes, we were victim of that period! Yes, we were! And we must have a special day to commemorate that. It would be good.
Hysni Culangji, NGO Rromani Baht;
From video 2:
THE FUTURE
We have youth that are being educated and are very good in advocacy. They must tackle this segment as well in order that institutions soon recognize this date and dedicate a higher significance to this (Memorial) day.
Osman Osmani, NGO Nevo Koncepti;
From video 2:
THE FUTURE
We have sent a group of students to visit the commemoration center of Auschwitz. They were busted with energy, saying: “Yes, I was there, I felt very bad, just by the fact that I saw what I saw, when I learn how badly my people were treated, but now it gives me sufficient motivation to work for my people”.
Bashkim Ibishi, NGO Advancing Together;
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