On March 10-26, the Human Rights Monitoring Institute joined the international community in a series of events organized in Lithuania within the annual European-wide Action Week to actively engage Lithuanians for tolerance, equal rights and a celebration of diversity.
The programme of Action Week against Racism 2007 included various events and activities that were centered on youth and included discussions, art exhibitions, film screenings and concerts.
Participants of the Action Week had a unique opportunity to discover the culture of people we see daily but know little about. Well-known artists presented their work and politicians, state officials and community leaders had discussed the sensitive issues related to racism.
Partners and Supporters of Action Week against Racism 2007: Office of Ombudsperson for Equal Opportunities, Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad, Campaign “All different – All Equal”, International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania, Project “In Corpore” by European Communities initiative EQUAL, Red Cross Lithuanian Chapter, Human Rights Centre, Roma Society Centre, Children’s Fund of Lithuania.
Media Partners of Action Week against Racism 2007: Užupio radijas, Bernardinai, Alfa, Entertainment Bank.
Supporters of Action Week against Racism 2007: the Dutch Foreign Ministry, Contemporary Art Centre, Kodak ProCentras, Vilniaus Teachers' House, Taurakalnis Culture Centre, Club "Intro", Centrum Uniquestay Hotel.
PROGRAMME of Events and Activities
19 March, Monday
Roundtable discussion “The Price of Racial Discrimination: Effectiveness of the Equal Opportunities Policy in Lithuania” and press conference (10:00-12:40, conference hall of the Open Society Found-Lithuania, Didzioji Street 5, 4th floor, Vilnius)
Programme of the roundtable discussion:
10.00–10.15 Introductoction
Aušrinė Burneikienė, Ombudsperson for Equal Opportunities
Antanas Petrauskas, Director General, Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad
10.15–10.30 Overview of Recommendations by the International Institutions in 2006 (European Commission against Racism and Intolerance and the UN Committe against All Forms of Racial Discrimination)
Henrikas Mickevičius, Executive Director, Human Rights Monitoring Institute
10.30–11.00 Law on Equal Opportunities and Race Directive (No.2000/43/EB): Problematic Aspects
Danguolė Grigolovičienė, Adviser, Office Ombudsperson for Equal Opportunities
Svaigedas Stoškus, Law and Tolerance Institute
Alfredas Nazarovas, Director, Department for Social Integration and Equal Opportunities, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Stanislav Vidtmann, Deputy Director General, Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad
11.00–12.00 Discussion
Moderator – Edita Žiobienė, Executive Director, Human Rights Centre
12.00 Press Conference (Conference hall of the Open Society Fund-Lithuania, Didzioji Street 5, 4th floor, Vilnius)
More details (in Lithuanian) here.
Opening of the Photograph Exhibition by award-winning photographer Andrew Miksys and Presentation of his photoalbum "BAXT" (19:00, Centre of Contemporary Art, Vokiečiu Street 2, Vilnius)
Free entrance.
BAXT is the first book-length collection of photography by Andrew Miksys. "Baxt" – a Romani (Gypsy) word that means Luck, Fate, Destiny, Karma, or Kismet – touches upon many of the themes that Miksys addresses in his work with the Lithuanian Roma. Relying on the close relationships he's developed with his subjects over the past 7 years, Miksys never seeks to romanticize the Gypsy world, nor does he rely on clichés and stereotypes in his portraits. Gone are the typical, grainy, black-and-white photo-journalist shots of barefoot children and wild dogs, and in their place are quiet and contemplative, but still challenging, portraits of a community struggling in the backdrop of intense poverty and racism.
"The Roma have survived for close to 1000 years in Europe even though they have been subjected to some of the worst racism and prejudice of any minority in history," the Lithuanian-based photographer says. "My work honors their traditions and their efforts to preserve them, but I don't seek to romanticize anything. There is beauty in their flaws, and that's more interesting to me than the myths."
Representatives of the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad and the Human Rights Monitoring Institute greeted the guests, and Andrew Miksys discussed his works with the public. In the course of event, guests enjoyed a performance by the dancers of Roma Society Centre. Those wishing to continue discussions were welcomed at “Café de Paris”.
The exhibition was opened at the Contemporary Art Centre 19-25 March.
Supporters: Contemporary Art Centre, Children’s Fund and Kodak ProCentras.
20 March, Tuesday
Discussion of discrimination in employment, Utena, organized by the Office of Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson.
More details (in Lithuanian) here.
21 March, Wednesday
Discussion of discrimination in employment, Panevezys, organized by the Office of Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson.
More details (in Lithuanian) here.
Special event “Live Library” for Lithuanian MPs, Lithuanian Parliament, organized by “All Different – All Equal”.
Detailed information on this and other events organized by the campaign “All different – All Equal” will be placed here shortly.
Partner: Human Rights Centre
24 March, Saturday
The concert “…Stretch out a hand to other human being” (16 val., Vilniaus Teachers' House, Main Hall, Vilniaus g.39, Vilnius)
Free entrance.
The visitors enjoyed performances by Polish, Tatar, Russian, Jewish, Lithuanian, Roma, Greek, Moldovan-Romanian and Belorussian folk groups. The event also featureded poetry reading, a film screening, and extra fun guaranteed by proven event moderators. The concert provided an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the cultures of minority groups in Lithuania.
Participants:
Polish folk ensemble “Vilija” (artistic director Renata Brasel)
Jewish folk ensemble “Fajerlech” (artistic director Larisa Vysniauskiene)
Tatar ensemble “Alije” (artistic director Aleksandras Melechas)
Women chorus "Zolotoj vozrast"(artistic director Sergejus Didenka)
Ensemble of Lithuanian music "Taurakalnis"(artistic director Petras Vėbra)
Folk group of the Roma Community Centre
Greek folk group
Moldovan-Romanian folk group
Organized by: Human Rights Monitoring Institute
Partners and supporters: Vilnius Teachers’ Home, Culture Centre Taurakalnis, Roma Society Centre
Action “Music against Racism” at INTRO Club (Maironio Street 3, Vilnius)
Free entrance.
17:00 Film screenings, discussions and presentations by organizations participating in the Week against Racism. Also participating: dj Defoneition, dj uwa kahula (doomoostudio)
19:00 Performances by popular bands and DJs: Afroband, Dr. Green, Sportas, Messiah and special guests. Also participating: dj Defoneition, dj uwa kahula (doomoostudio)
Organized by: Human Rights Monitoring Institute
Partner and supporter: INTRO Club
26 March, Monday
Action "Youth against Racism" (15:00, Centrum Hotel)
Programme of the event:
15:00 Introductory remarks by Emanuelis Zingeris, Chair of the International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania
15:05 Performance by the Dance Group of the Roma Community Center
15:15 Documentary about Lithuanian Roma
16:00 Performance by Roma singer Radzi (popular participant in the TV reality show “Stairway to the Stars”)
16:15 Documentary about Lithuanian Jews
17:00 Coffee break
17:15 Documentary about Refugees
18:00 Discussion. Moderator – Ronaldas Račinskas, Executive Director of the International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania. Participants: high school and university students, teachers, representatives of State institutions and NGOs.
18:30 Concert (special guests to be announced).
19:00 Closing
Organized by: Human Rights Monitoring Institute
Partners: International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania, project “In Corpore”.
Supporter: Centrum Uniquestay Hotel
© 2012 Human Rights Monitoring Institute