Skopje, 9 April 2025 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova welcomed students, teachers, and professors from schools in Shuto Orizari today, including pupils from “26th of July” and “Brothers Ramiz – Hamid” primary schools, high schoolers from “Shaip Jusuf”, and Roma university students, in honour of International Roma Day, April 8.

President Siljanovska Davkova noted that April 8 has been marked as International Roma Day since 1971, when it was declared at the first Roma Congress held in London. She emphasized that one of the key initiators of the Congress was Skopje native Professor Shaip Jusuf, the author of the first Roma grammar.

As stated by her Office, she emphasized before those present that the Roma are an inseparable part of our state and social fabric and will always remain so.

“Over 200 Roma partisans took part in the Macedonian National Liberation and Anti-Fascist Struggle and shed their blood for freedom,” the President reminded.

She emphasized that the Roma are one of the most vulnerable communities, but, as she said, "we are one step ahead of others in defending Roma equality and inclusion."

Siljanovska Davkova highlighted that ours is the only country where the Roma have a deserved constitutional status, a municipality governed by them where Romani is an official language, their own political parties, and a real opportunity to have their own members of parliament and ministers.

However, according to her, this is not enough — what is needed are genuine and bold steps to defend their rights and improve their quality of life.

“We’ve given them one hand, but we must extend the other too, if we really want to grow as people and create a society of equals. There can be no true democratic Macedonian story without the Roma,” Siljanovska Davkova said.

Photo: President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova’s Office