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Description
Belogradchik Municipality has one of the weakest indicators in the field of income and standard of living. According to a "Survey on the branches of traditional Roma culture in Vidin district", conducted in 2019 nearly 6800 people of Roma origin are registered in Belogradchik, and the share of Roma ethnic group compared to the district average is 4 times higher. The current project is aimed to children and youth from the municipality of Belogradchik with a focus on those of Roma origin. They will have the opportunity to get involved in a cultural project and improve their access to art and culture. For this purpose 3 studios will be formed, with the total participation of at least 45 children and young people from the municipality, at least 1/2 of whom are of Roma origin. Atelier "Theater" will be responsible for the distribution of roles in the performance, for rehearsals, for the analysis of the characters, conflicts, situations. Atelier "Dance and Music" will be responsible for selection of music and choreography for performance. The "Scenography" studio will work on the sets and costumes. As a result of the work of these studios on a specially written dramatic text, the musical performance "In Search of Baro Mangipe" will be created, which will present the rich Roma culture, Roma life and traditions and will examine in a new way the "banal" theme of love. After the premiere in Belogradchik, the musical performance will be presented 5 more times within the project: twice in the city of Vidin - in the largest Roma neighborhood "Nov Pat" and in the city center, in a suitable space; in the village of Gara Oreshets, in the village of Drenovets, and in the village of Lehchevo, Montana district. The squares and the open public spaces of the indicated settlements will be used for stages, which, with the exception of the town of Vidin, are characterized not only by a high share of Roma population but also by very limited access to cultural content.
Summary of project results
The main objective of the project is to engage and motivate children and youth from the Belogradchik municipality, with a focus on those of Roma origin, to participate in cultural activities and events, thus improving access to culture and arts for the Roma population and promoting Roma culture in the district.
The project inlcuded activities as the creation of an original musical performance "In Search of Baro Mangipe", presenting Roma culture and cultural diversity to attract new and non-traditional audiences and provide access to arts and culture in remote or poorly accessible areas. The creation of the musical performance that includes elements of Roma life and traditions has attracted the attention and gave the local Roma community access to a cultural product with messages different from the aesthetics of chalga, which is prevalent in this area. The creation of a joint cultural product by Bulgarian and Roma participants has stimulated the Roma community to participate more actively in public, social and cultural life. The performance has also broaden access to culture for the Bulgarian community in the municipality, drawing attention to the richness of the Roma culture and highlighting the opportunities for achieving a better quality of life through culture.
The project managed to engage Roma children and youth and improved their access to culture, improving the situation of the Roma population in the municipality of Belogradchik. It achieved a higher degree of social cohesion, using culture and art as a means of acquiring new knowledge and skills and motivating education, developed and presented a new cultural product that promotes Roma culture. The project has led to increased access to arts and culture in 6 localities from 6 municipalities in two administrative districts in Bulgaria with Roma population and created an opportunity to increase motivation and inclusion of Roma and improve conditions for cultural entrepreneurship in the Vidin district.