Center “Amalipe” will hold the first edition of the Children’s Roma Festival “Open Heart” after the pandemic of Covid-19

In 2020 and 2021, the global pandemic of COVID-19 prevents the holding of the Children’s Roma Festival “Open Heart”, which the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe” organizes in the first half of June in Veliko Tarnovo. The festival is aimed at preserving, developing and promoting Roma culture and folklore, as well as presenting the city of Veliko Tarnovo as a tourist destination, but of no less importance is the fact that this several-day annual event brings together over 1500 children, teachers and parents from more than 100 schools, as well as young people from volunteer groups across the country in Veliko Tarnovo. The event was held in Veliko Tarnovo. The event proves that mutual understanding and tolerance are not forgotten themes. Every year, the Old Capital is coloured in colourful shades and flags. Hundreds of children and teachers perform in traditional costumes, presenting different dances, songs, crafts, but most of all the colourfulness of Roma culture and customs.

This year, the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe” will continue the tradition by organizing the 17th edition of the Roma Children’s Festival “Open Heart” on 3 and 4 June 2022 in the town of Veliko Tarnovo. We expect that students from all over the country will take part in the Festival, enrolled in the “Ethnic Folklore – Roma Folklore” classes and in other interest activities aimed at educational integration during the school year 2021/2022.

More about the Open Heart Festival:

This is a festival that opens up a whole world, where everyone smiles… And where everyone is friends… A festival that shows every child (even those who come from the most remote villages from which they have never left and where no one ever goes because the hundred years of loneliness are not yet over) that they are capable, that they deserve and receive respect, a smile and the belief that they will make it…. A festival that makes every Roma child feel the pride of Roma culture, because they see respect in the eyes of others, they see sharing, tolerance and equality – not in words and strategies, but in a smile, a touch, a hug… A festival in which you see every child grow up before your eyes, as the Vice President, ministers, ambassadors, guests get to their feet because “Djelem, Djelem” is singing … Because this is the Roma anthem! A festival in which you see teachers and principals who come with the children stand up straight and begin to look proud because they see that someone has appreciated their efforts and what they have done for these children, which is most of all – faith and hope!

If you want to feel the energy that each edition of the Roma Children’s Festival “Open Heart” brings, watch the video, through which, although through a screen, you will experience the event:

If you wish to participate in the festival, you can fill in the form HERE

Center “Amalipe” reminds that it does not assume any commitment for accommodation and travel expenses of the participants.