Dear friends

I kindly ask you to contact me if you are or know one or more Roma Author(s). We have founded a International Romani Writers' Association (IRWA), wherein we want to unite all important poets, authors of novels, fiction, theatres and outstanding biographies. The goal of this Association is clearly defined  in our Statutes and in the “Cologne Declaration” which has been widely published.

The background of the idea is summarized here:

Roma are the poorest and most discriminated minority in Europe. They count about 6 million people, scattered over the territories of all European countries. Many of them live in Slums, Ghettoes and camps in unimaginable poverty, have no access to schools, to media and information from outside.

This must be changed! By Roma!

In spite of discrimination there are thousands of intellectuals among us. We have doctors, professors, lawyers, scientists, artists and writers, authors of literary works. We want to make these authors to be known in the world, in both the worlds, the Gadje-World and the Roma-World.

A population is as strong as its cultural elite. Only strong cultural leadership can demonstrate to the poor, uninformed population that there are possibilities and prospects in this world, that it is worthwhile to struggle and to fight for a better life, to escape from analphabetism and isolation. Solidarity among the elite will create solidarity among all Roma.

A lot of hard work will be required during many years. The fruits of your contribution will be more recognition for all Roma, reduction of discrimination, increased self-respect and a better life for future generations of our people. Solidarity and self-respect are prerequisites for being respected by others.

All authors, willing to work for this goal with their writing, ready to help making the hidden treasures of our culture visible in this world, to find and to encourage young talents, contribute to growths of solidarity among the Roma authors and the Roma population all over Europe are welcome and invited to join this association. They should do the following:

1.  Send

 - name and address including telephone/fax and e-mail

 - bibliography (some personal data and list of published books, articles, theatres etc.)

 - copies of the echo in the press related to your publications, if  available.

The Board of Directors will then decide about recommending your membership according to

Paragraph 5 of  the Statutes for the decision by the Annual General meeting of IRWA

to Veijo Baltzar

President of IRWA

Museokatu 11b43  Finland

FIN-00100 Helsinki

Finland

e-mail: vbaltzar@saunalahti.fi  

2.  Send copies of this page to other important Roma authors of your knowledge, of whom you believe they could also be interested and qualified in working for the Association and being a member of it.

We are not alone! A strong group of publishers/editors has decided to start a Romani Library.

Literary work of Roma Writers will be published in two languages, Romanès and one gadje-language.

Looking forward to hearing from you, I am

Sincerely Yours

Veijo Baltzar  (President of IRWA)