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The Roma community in Longford celebrated International Roma Day on Wednesday, April 12 in the Longford Arms Hotel.
The Roma Community Development Project of Longford Community Resources clg (LCRL) organised the event with the local Roma community.
Over 300 people attended a beautiful celebration of Roma culture and history.
Mr Andrej Droba, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, attended the celebration.
Lorraine O’Reilly LCRL, Sergeant Darren Conlon Longford Garda Station and Eamon Byrne LCRL at the International Roma Day celebration on Wednesday, April 12 in the Longford Arms Hotel Pictures: Michael Croghan Photography
Many of the Roma community living in Longford are originally from Slovakia and the Ambassador thanked the CEO of LCRL, Mr Adrian Greene for the support provided to the Roma community.
He was also very grateful to Roma themselves for their hospitality and more importantly for showcasing Roma culture including the excellent presentation on Roma history, language and ethnicity. The whole celebration was a very powerful experience.
Mr Droba expressed his pleasure at the ‘positive participation by the community with LCRL and the way in which they represent and celebrate their culture’.
Valentina and Rose, Pictures: Michael Croghan Photography
Afterwards Mr. Droba visited the offices of Longford County Council where he met with Cathaoirleach Cllr Turlough McGovern and Chief Executive Paddy Mahon.
Miroslav Nistor welcomed visitors from Kildare, Dublin and Wexford on behalf of the Longford Roma community. Particular welcome was given to Roma from war torn Ukraine. Pavee Point ‘Roma and Traveller Centre’ and ‘County Kildare Leader Partnership’ also attended the event.
After a presentation on Roma history and culture and singing of the Roma Anthem (‘Gelem Gelem’) participants were entertained by the local Roma ‘Galaxy Band’ and by the Ostroha Ensemble.
LCRL Roma Community Development Project is one of seven projects funded nationally under the pilot Community Development Programme by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
LCRL works with the Roma community in Longford to support them access basic services, have their voice heard in decision making that affects them and have their culture valued and celebrated.
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