“The language that connects us – how the International Romani Language Day was celebrated”
On November 5, schools from different regions of Bulgaria celebrated the International Day of the Romani Language. At the initiative of the Amalipe Center, many active young people, educational mediators, teachers and students organized celebrations, exhibitions, games and lessons dedicated to the beauty and richness of the Romani language. Language is the “house of being” says the German philosopher Martin Heidegger, because language helps us to make sense of the world around us, to preserve history, traditions and culture. It is the link between past and present. November 5 is the International Day of the Romani Language – a day when we honor the beauty and richness of one of the oldest living languages in Europe. The day was recognized by UNESCO in 2015 at the initiative of the Croatian Roma Union “Kali Sara”, and its first celebration was held in 2009 in Zagreb. The Romani language (Romani Chib) is spoken by over 10 million people around the world and has dozens of dialects that bear traces of Indian, Persian, Greek, Slavic and other languages. Why is it important to celebrate this day? Language is a bridge between people. It preserves the memory of generations and builds a sense of belonging. Celebrating the International Romani Language Day at school is an opportunity to encourage respect for cultural and linguistic diversity, to build an environment of inclusion and understanding and to show that every language deserves attention and respect, but also a chance to fight aggression among adolescents. This is not just a day to celebrate, but a moment to realize – that the words we speak have a history, soul and meaning. Through them, we pass on experience, emotions and wisdom from generation to generation, from our grandparents.
In the text below you will be able to see how some places celebrated the International Romani Language Day:
Primary School “Vasil Levski”, Karadjovo village, Plovdiv region
Under the leadership of Maya Zdravkova, students from different classes held the initiative “My Romani Word”. The children presented a recital and an exhibition with drawings and messages in the Romani language. The participants shared that they discovered words that they had heard in their family, but had never thought about their meaning. “Language is wealth” – wrote one of the children on her colorful board.
PGSS “Geo Milev”, Maglizh
Educational mediator Minka Markova Arnaudova and active youth Lyutskan Sedefov, Ivan Ivanov, Kamil Rashid and de. organized with students from 8th to 11th grade the creation of posters and a recital dedicated to the Romani language. The young people shared their thoughts on the words that connect cultures and build respect between people. “We expressed our feelings through the words that make us a community,” the students said after the event.
Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, Devene village, Vratsa region
Educational mediator Teodora Hristova prepared an interactive initiative – “The Colors of Our Language”. The students made hearts with words in different languages - Romani, Bulgarian and Turkish. Parents, teachers and students from different ethnic groups participated in the activities, who shared that they felt part of something in common. Nikola says: “In our village there is no Romani language, but there are words that connect us.”
Hristo Botev Secondary School, Dolni Tsibar, Montana Region
Volunteers Alexandra, David, Slavi and Mario organized a creative workshop dedicated to the Romani language and culture. The students prepared a poster with messages of pride and belonging. “This poster exudes a sense of pride in the Romani language,” said one of the participants.
PG of Transport and Mechanical Engineering, Gradnitsa village, Gabrovo region
Educational mediator Asl Sunaeva Amidova and teachers Eng. Deliya Chekova and Stella Miteva prepared a fun game “Wheel of Words”, in which students translated words in different languages and looked for similarities. Students from 8th to 12th grade actively participated and shared how they understand love, respect and trust. “Love is reciprocity and trust” – they wrote at the end of the game.
On the occasion of the International Day of the Romani Language (November 5), the Student Parliament at the Sofia University “Hristo Botev”, village of Galiche introduced the students to the history and origin of the Romani language, as well as to the traditions of the Roma. Being tolerant means respecting others, regardless of differences. Let this day be an occasion for everyone – regardless of ethnic origin – to realize that every language is a value, and linguistic diversity is a force that unites us! The students learned new words, the teachers and mediators encouraged respect for different cultures, and the parents actively participated in places. The celebration of the International Day of the Romani Language has become a celebration of diversity and unity.
PGO “Elisaveta Bagryana”
PGO “Elisaveta Bagryana” celebrated the Day of the Romani Language with a short program prepared by the students and educational mediators Metodi Asenov and Ivan Bratanovski. The children presented interesting facts about the development of the Romani language and talked about the richness and beauty of the Romani culture. The initiative encouraged tolerance, respect for different communities and the understanding that cultural diversity is a value that enriches us.
Angel Karaliychev Secondary School
Angel Karaliychev Secondary School celebrated the International Romani Language Day in a delicious and creative way. The students from the professional cooking class prepared a Romani cake and turned the holiday into a colorful, aromatic and smiling experience. The atmosphere was filled with good mood and cohesion, and the children worked together like one big family.
Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, Vetren, Pazardzhik Region
The Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” in Vetren celebrated the International Day of the Romani Language with a presentation dedicated to the origin, history and peculiarities of the language. The students showed interest in the topic and actively participated in the conversation about the importance of the Romani language as part of the cultural wealth of the community.
School “St. Paisii Hilendarski”, Varbitsa
At Sofia University “St. Paisii Hilendarski” in Varbitsa, students from different classes celebrated the International Romani Language Day with a presentation on the history and origin of the language. After the presentation, the children participated in interactive activities dedicated to the richness and importance of the Romani language as part of the cultural heritage.
St. Cyril and Methodius Secondary School, Smyadovo
The students from the 6th grade of the St. Cyril and Methodius Secondary School in Smyadovo celebrated November 5 with a conversation about the richness of languages and cultures around the world and the importance of preserving our identity and traditions. The children wrote words in the Romani language and made a beautiful board dedicated to the holiday.
Ivan Vazov Primary School, Dalgopol
Children from Ivan Vazov Primary School in Dalgopol celebrated International Romani Language Day by making a colorful board on which they wrote words from the different languages spoken in their families. During the initiative, students discussed how different, but also how close, the words in different communities are, and shared a message of unity and mutual respect.
Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, Kamen village, Sliven municipality
Educational mediator Rusanka Stoyanova and 4th grade students celebrated the International Romani Language Day with a short lesson on the meaning of the holiday and a conversation about the words that unite different communities. The children participated with interest and shared that language is a bridge between people.
Hristo Botev Primary School, Rumyantsevo
At Hristo Botev Primary School in Rumyantsevo, students celebrated International Romani Language Day with a recital of Romani poems and a short lesson on the history and development of the language. The children participated enthusiastically and showed respect for the cultural heritage of the Romani community.
Hristo Botev Primary School, Chomakovtsi
At Hristo Botev Primary School in Chomakovtsi, students celebrated the International Romani Language Day with a short festive event, which was also attended by Ms. Andreeva, the school’s deputy director. The children presented words and expressions in Romani and talked about the importance of language as part of cultural identity.
Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, Staro Oryahovo village
At Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” in Staro Oryahovo village, students celebrated the Day of the Romani Language with interest and respect for its history and significance. The children learned more about the richness of the language and shared that accepting and appreciating differences makes the school a more cohesive and understanding place.
Secondary school “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Suhindol
Educational mediator Ilimie Ismailova and the students celebrated the International Romani Language Day with a conversation about its history and significance. The children learned that the language, spoken all over the world, is passed down from generation to generation and is an important part of the identity of the Romani community. The atmosphere was filled with respect and curiosity for the cultural heritage.
PG of Mechanical Engineering, Sliven
Educational mediator Stefan Trendafilov marked November 5 – International Romani Language Day – with an open discussion with students. The conversation was dedicated to the importance of the language, its preservation and its role in building respect between different communities..
Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, village of Byala Reka, municipality of Varbitsa, region of Shumen
Educational mediator Fatme Hyusnyueva and the students celebrated the International Day of the Romani Language with a joint celebration dedicated to the beauty and richness of the language. The children participated with interest and discussed the importance of the Romani language as part of the cultural memory and identity of the community.
Second Primary School “Vasil Levski”, Omurtag
The students of the Second Primary School “Vasil Levski” in Omurtag celebrated the International Day of the Romani Language with a presentation on the history of the language, games such as “Find the word” and “Flower with kind words” and created their own “Tree of kind words”, dedicated to values such as respect, kindness and friendship. The day passed colorfully, emotionally and became a lesson in tolerance and acceptance of difference.
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Hristo Botev Primary School, Krushovitsa village, Vratsa region.
Educational mediator Radoslava Spasova celebrated World Romani Language Day with students, parents, teachers and the school management. The children learned about the importance of the Romani language, and parents from the community shared words and helped with translation, which turned the meeting into a lively and friendly dialogue. The mediator held a talk about the diverse dialects and traditions in preserving the language, and the director Darina Stoyanova emphasized: “Language is a bridge between people – and when we preserve it, we preserve human dignity and understanding.” The initiative created a warm atmosphere of reciprocity and strengthened the desire for future joint meetings with parents.
Vocational High School, Byala, Ruse Region
Educational mediator Svetlozar Petrov and teacher Maria Georgieva celebrated the International Romani Language Day with a short presentation and a documentary film in front of students from grades 8 and 9. 20 students participated in the initiative, who actively participated in the creative and educational tasks. The children discussed the role of language as a carrier of memories and cultural memory and shared that language creates a sense of community and belonging regardless of ethnic origin.
Amalipe Center thanks all educational mediators, teachers and students who celebrated November 5. You showed that the Romani language is not just words, but a heart that connects people.