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FACES: Vassil Chaprazov
Society | October 25, 2002, Friday // 00:00
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I Dream of Roma Theater in Bulgaria
Vassil Chaprazov is journalist, writer and poet. He has edited gypsy newspaper Drom Dromenar for eight years and has recently created the first gypsy magazine in Bulgaria - O Roma. He is ethnic Roma originating from the largest minority in Bulgaria, stricken by poverty, illiteracy and discrimination.
Vassil Chaprazov met Milena Dinkova.
Q: What are the basic problems faced by gypsies in Bulgaria?
A: These are the problems faced by the whole nation. But in the case of Roma minority, they feel even sheerer. Problem number one of Roma community in Bulgaria is unemployment. The employers' discriminating behavior is at the bottom of gypsies' dire condition. This behavior is recognized as one of Bulgaria's social shortcomings in the annual report of the European Commission for Bulgaria's progress en route of the EU. If not for discrimination, the Roma majority would witness unemployment rates similar to all-Bulgarian figures of 15 to 18 percent. But at the moment, unemployment among Bulgarian gypsies is rampant - it goes beyond 60 percent and in some settlements even over 90 percent.
Q: Bulgarians are often praised for their latitude. Do you think they deserve it?
A: I am deeply convinced that Bulgarians are not any different than others in terms of ethnic latitude. Bulgarians have lived in isolation for years and even centuries so they started to overestimate themselves. They thought they were unique and created some myths such as the myth of Bulgarian ethnic and religious latitude. Now that the country opened to the world, Bulgarians realize that others can be as good as they are and even better. This new awareness has provoked quite the reverse trend - that of underestimation. I think the extremes should be reconciled so that the nation could further progress.
Q: What do you think is the reason for gypsies' negative image in Bulgaria?
A: In my opinion, one cannot think of racists except as of sick people. I admit that among Bulgarian gypsies there are sick people, too. These are people who steal, people who neglect their family responsibilities and people who ignore the huge issue of their children's education. But others seem too prone to assign these people's viciousness to the whole community. They readily ignore the positive things and Bulgaria's media encourage such attitude. I understand that negative phenomena need coverage but it is also true that positive events rarely get one.
Q: Which are the organizations in Bulgaria working for gypsies' integration?
A: After a period of uplift, Roma organizations in Bulgaria face hard times again. They had developed some project that attracted foreign financing but then they failed to keep that interest. Most of Roma leaders deserted continuation of efforts and now they are not able to meet the criteria of donor organizations. However, at present gypsies seem to need less of the NGO's assistance. What they need now is just representation in Bulgaria's political life.
Q: What is the response of Roma community to the Drom Dromenar Newspaper and the first Roma magazine in Bulgaria?
A: Up to date, the community has not shown great interest in such publications. The newspaper and the magazine stir excitement among certain individuals. I've seen people who read the newspaper with huge interest. They even read it while walking. This reminds me of the time when I have read communist newspapers in the hope to spot at least a single word about gypsies. But generally speaking, gypsies have to pay more attention to education so that they could comprehend the importance of Roma publications and start to support them.
Q: Renowned Bulgarian journalist Elena Yoncheva shot a documentary about gypsies under sponsored by the United Nations Development Program. What is your opinion of the film?
A: What I have seen of the six-part documentary is really good. The author has friendly attitude towards gypsies and that can be easily felt. The documentary does not feature those negative implications that Roma people are very sensitive of. Another goal of the author is her interesting approach. She used the football theme [Yoncheva's film tells the story of teenage gypsies who founded the football team Romiteli] to get into the family life of Roma people. It strikes me as very positive thing because I have seen a good lot of films that seek to portray gypsies' dark side. I once again admit that there are bad things going on in our community. But can you show me a community that could boast impeccability? The sad thing is that most of the filmmakers indulge in the negative portrayal. Elena Yoncheva said that it is the first time she encounters Roma realm. And although she is a "novice", she proves thoroughly precise in her vision.
Q: What do you think should be done for gypsies in Bulgaria's large Roma ghettos?
A: The authorities should go to them. The law should descend upon the ghettos. And this time it should be done for real. Previous attempts failed, as authorities didn't choose the right people for the mission. It is not about sending a handful of Roma police officers into the ghetto and it is not about appointing Roma administrators who loot state and foreign aid funds. It is about election system that gives opportunity for local self-governance. And of course, it is a matter of conscience because gypsies who get involved with political parties often pursue personal interests. Only people with sense of mission could succeed in improving the ghettos' infrastructure, making those places "visible" in the cadastre register and protecting residents from the bullies and criminals that now torment hundreds of people.
Q: What are your dreams for the future of Bulgarian gypsies?
A: I am optimistic by nature and I believe that things will start happen for gypsies in Bulgaria. Desegregation in Bulgarian schools is number one issue for me. It is not even a dream. It is something I work for and I believe we will succeed. To segregate children is ugly and it breeds an inferiority complex that crushes the spirit of gypsies. My greatest wish is that special schools for Roma children were closed and all young gypsies study, as I have studied, together with Bulgarians. I dream of a national Roma theater to be created in Bulgaria. I dream of a place that would display all the talents of gypsies. I want such theater to house a dance ensemble and symphony orchestra that plays music influenced by Roma rhythms. I want to hear Bulgarian gypsies perform Brahms, Lizst, Debussy, Chaikovski, Rahmaninov. Such theater will probably breed Bulgaria-born artists as Emir Kosturitsa, the famous Bosnian film director who gets his inspiration from Roma culture. I see this as the best way to promote positive image of gypsies in Bulgaria.
Vassil Chaprazov is journalist, writer and poet. He has edited gypsy newspaper Drom Dromenar for eight years and has recently created the first gypsy magazine in Bulgaria - O Roma. He is ethnic Roma originating from the largest minority in Bulgaria, stricken by poverty, illiteracy and discrimination.
Vassil Chaprazov met Milena Dinkova.
Q: What are the basic problems faced by gypsies in Bulgaria?
A: These are the problems faced by the whole nation. But in the case of Roma minority, they feel even sheerer. Problem number one of Roma community in Bulgaria is unemployment. The employers' discriminating behavior is at the bottom of gypsies' dire condition. This behavior is recognized as one of Bulgaria's social shortcomings in the annual report of the European Commission for Bulgaria's progress en route of the EU. If not for discrimination, the Roma majority would witness unemployment rates similar to all-Bulgarian figures of 15 to 18 percent. But at the moment, unemployment among Bulgarian gypsies is rampant - it goes beyond 60 percent and in some settlements even over 90 percent.
Q: Bulgarians are often praised for their latitude. Do you think they deserve it?
A: I am deeply convinced that Bulgarians are not any different than others in terms of ethnic latitude. Bulgarians have lived in isolation for years and even centuries so they started to overestimate themselves. They thought they were unique and created some myths such as the myth of Bulgarian ethnic and religious latitude. Now that the country opened to the world, Bulgarians realize that others can be as good as they are and even better. This new awareness has provoked quite the reverse trend - that of underestimation. I think the extremes should be reconciled so that the nation could further progress.
Q: What do you think is the reason for gypsies' negative image in Bulgaria?
A: In my opinion, one cannot think of racists except as of sick people. I admit that among Bulgarian gypsies there are sick people, too. These are people who steal, people who neglect their family responsibilities and people who ignore the huge issue of their children's education. But others seem too prone to assign these people's viciousness to the whole community. They readily ignore the positive things and Bulgaria's media encourage such attitude. I understand that negative phenomena need coverage but it is also true that positive events rarely get one.
Q: Which are the organizations in Bulgaria working for gypsies' integration?
A: After a period of uplift, Roma organizations in Bulgaria face hard times again. They had developed some project that attracted foreign financing but then they failed to keep that interest. Most of Roma leaders deserted continuation of efforts and now they are not able to meet the criteria of donor organizations. However, at present gypsies seem to need less of the NGO's assistance. What they need now is just representation in Bulgaria's political life.
Q: What is the response of Roma community to the Drom Dromenar Newspaper and the first Roma magazine in Bulgaria?
A: Up to date, the community has not shown great interest in such publications. The newspaper and the magazine stir excitement among certain individuals. I've seen people who read the newspaper with huge interest. They even read it while walking. This reminds me of the time when I have read communist newspapers in the hope to spot at least a single word about gypsies. But generally speaking, gypsies have to pay more attention to education so that they could comprehend the importance of Roma publications and start to support them.
Q: Renowned Bulgarian journalist Elena Yoncheva shot a documentary about gypsies under sponsored by the United Nations Development Program. What is your opinion of the film?
A: What I have seen of the six-part documentary is really good. The author has friendly attitude towards gypsies and that can be easily felt. The documentary does not feature those negative implications that Roma people are very sensitive of. Another goal of the author is her interesting approach. She used the football theme [Yoncheva's film tells the story of teenage gypsies who founded the football team Romiteli] to get into the family life of Roma people. It strikes me as very positive thing because I have seen a good lot of films that seek to portray gypsies' dark side. I once again admit that there are bad things going on in our community. But can you show me a community that could boast impeccability? The sad thing is that most of the filmmakers indulge in the negative portrayal. Elena Yoncheva said that it is the first time she encounters Roma realm. And although she is a "novice", she proves thoroughly precise in her vision.
Q: What do you think should be done for gypsies in Bulgaria's large Roma ghettos?
A: The authorities should go to them. The law should descend upon the ghettos. And this time it should be done for real. Previous attempts failed, as authorities didn't choose the right people for the mission. It is not about sending a handful of Roma police officers into the ghetto and it is not about appointing Roma administrators who loot state and foreign aid funds. It is about election system that gives opportunity for local self-governance. And of course, it is a matter of conscience because gypsies who get involved with political parties often pursue personal interests. Only people with sense of mission could succeed in improving the ghettos' infrastructure, making those places "visible" in the cadastre register and protecting residents from the bullies and criminals that now torment hundreds of people.
Q: What are your dreams for the future of Bulgarian gypsies?
A: I am optimistic by nature and I believe that things will start happen for gypsies in Bulgaria. Desegregation in Bulgarian schools is number one issue for me. It is not even a dream. It is something I work for and I believe we will succeed. To segregate children is ugly and it breeds an inferiority complex that crushes the spirit of gypsies. My greatest wish is that special schools for Roma children were closed and all young gypsies study, as I have studied, together with Bulgarians. I dream of a national Roma theater to be created in Bulgaria. I dream of a place that would display all the talents of gypsies. I want such theater to house a dance ensemble and symphony orchestra that plays music influenced by Roma rhythms. I want to hear Bulgarian gypsies perform Brahms, Lizst, Debussy, Chaikovski, Rahmaninov. Such theater will probably breed Bulgaria-born artists as Emir Kosturitsa, the famous Bosnian film director who gets his inspiration from Roma culture. I see this as the best way to promote positive image of gypsies in Bulgaria.
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