21/05/2026
𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
Regarding the Preliminary Results Published by the Directorate of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Municipality of Prizren
We express our deep concern and indignation regarding the preliminary list published by the Directorate of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Municipality of Prizren concerning financial support in the fields of culture, youth and sports.
According to the published results:
In the field of culture, 26 organizations and 37 individuals were supported;
In the field of sports, 19 entities and 22 individuals were supported;
In the field of youth, 9 organizations and 7 individuals were supported.
However, what is alarming and unacceptable is the fact that NOT A SINGLE organization or individual from the Roma community appears among the beneficiaries in any of these fields.
How is it possible that in a multiethnic municipality such as Prizren, the Roma community is completely excluded from public support?
How can this total lack of representation be justified?
Why this discrimination and institutional inequality?
The Roma community in Prizren has made and continues to make an extraordinary contribution to culture, art, music, heritage and social life. Nevertheless, our activities and initiatives continue to remain without institutional support.
We publicly ask:
Why is the concert featuring traditional Roma songs and dances, organized by Durmish Aslano, not supported, despite its role in preserving and promoting Roma cultural heritage?
Why are Roma artistic exhibitions and cultural activities not supported?
Why are trainings for youth and women in handicrafts and cultural empowerment not supported?
Why is the only Roma magazine, “Yekhipe,” published by NGO Sakuntala, not considered worthy of support?
Why is the only Roma library left without support?
Why does the Roma Theatre “Nexhip Menekshe” continue to be ignored?
This is not merely a lack of financial support.
This is a clear form of cultural and institutional exclusion of the Roma community.
We call on the Directorate of Culture, Youth and Sports to provide:
Full transparency regarding the evaluation process;
A public explanation for the complete absence of Roma beneficiaries;
A reconsideration of the preliminary results;
Equal and dignified inclusion of non-majority communities in municipal policies related to culture, youth and sports.
The Municipality of Prizren cannot speak about diversity, culture and equality while completely excluding the Roma community from public support.
Silence in the face of this discrimination is not an option.