Uli's letter
was a plain story because every word of it was true. I won't analyse that
letter as a private person because it would be plain story as well but will
speak as a writer in order to get distance to these things and to rise above
them. It doesn't make difference if you're Rom or Gadjo, everyone seems to be
treated the same way. Roma seem to be good at criticizing and judging but it
doesn't seem easy to find those who would do something. I don't know whether
to cry or laugh, one can yet somehow accept that Roma officials don't have a
culture of cooperation, but when the intellectuals cannot do it, it's a shame.
At that point there's no use of big words and empty speeches. Empty
words don't warm up anyone.
In the very end, it doesn't matter if
I'm Roma or Uli is Gadjo. He happens to be the only one with Mariella Mehr who
has supported and helped me in this project. Mariella's big dream was to
establish Romani Writer Association. She was serious in her thoughts, no empty
words, utopia, but deeds. She didn't attack anyone but wanted as a Roma to
achieve what we have missed – "there's no nation without writers, novelists,
doctors" – we all wanted it. But one won't achieve that through empty speeches,
it needs working, working hard and seriously.
Uli's letter made me sad because he has
done everything and even more for us Roma. We ourselves couldn't make the same.
He has also been wonderful interpreter of Mariella and has mediated us her
thoughts, her world that is a world of a cooperative person. I also want to
repeat Uli's words within my own case too: I don't want unnecessary emails,
messages defaming other people or where one seems to be searching for own
profit. I beg apologise from Mariella and Uli for all us writers for what has
happened – there were big speeches but nobody couldn't continue IRWA's
presidency. I however don't believe that this is the end but that this might
well be a beginning of a some kind of better tomorrow. Maybe one day Roma won't
be so selfish anymore and will be able to cooperate. One cannot give up and one
cannot afford to be bitter.
I hope that writers, specially IRWA's
members will contact us and start doing work for IRWA in particular. I still
consider it as a most important task of our generation. It is worth fighting
for. If somebody of our members could accept presidency in his or her country
for 3 years and perhaps after that it continued for another 3 years somewhere
else, after that it could be taken back to Finland. I even believe that then I
could get a permanent assistance for IRWA from the Finnish state. At the moment
Finland wants first to see that somebody else than me can handle the job before
it will put more money in it.
I hope that you Uli won't take this
personally. The world is so big and we people in it are so small. This nation
knows how to love, it has just experienced so much injustice that it is no
longer sure where the border should be drawn. Yesterday was a good day,
tomorrow it already rains. Today I laugh, tomorrow I might
cry. The ship is coming, wondering what kind of silk will I get…
Yours truly, Veijo
|
My answer dated
16.08.2008
Dear Veijo
My mail went to 73 addresses. Your answer was the first and only till now.
I thank you for the time you have spent for answering in a way that shows me
once again your engagement and dedication for our cause and to put it in words
that show me again the greathearted writer of novels, poems and drama, the
artist with words.
Your answer makes me sad, but it leaves some hope, it makes me a little bit
proud also, because you have understood, that it was Mariellas great vision,
that kept me moving ahead.
I agree with you, better we forget about nations. Roma or Gadjo, lets be human
beings and act as such.
Thank you dear Veijo and give my compliments to the translator (Nina?), she
did a very good job.
With my best whishes
Uli
|
Events