On the occasion of International Roma Day, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova received prominent Roma artists and cultural figures, active on the Macedonian cultural and artistic scene and beyond.
Through an open and constructive dialogue, opinions were exchanged on the Macedonian cultural environment and the place of artists therein, including Roma artists. After a fruitful discussion, they agreed on the urgent need to be given a chance for greater opportunities for presence and visibility in artistic life.
Siljanovska-Davkova said that Roma artists, despite their proven contribution to the development of the Macedonian cultural and artistic scene, but also more broadly and further afield, remain marginalized.
For her, it is important to overcome the inequality of opportunities in cultural competition, through artistic, rather than political, evaluation, as well as with greater institutional support for the most talented Roma artists.
We must overcome stereotypes and affirm the obvious cultural achievements of Roma.
The artists shared their life and artistic visions, experiences, successes and achievements with the President, recognizing in digital platforms and multimedia forms tools for greater artistic presentation.
The importance of networking was emphasized as a factor for promoting and stimulating their artistic activity.
The President, congratulating them on International Roma Day, called for the importance of recognizing and supporting the most talented Roma artists, as well as young artists in general, as irreplaceable creators of quality cultural life.
