Knowledge is in the centre of the universe, and diversity always makes us better – this was one of the messages conveyed during the Quiz Without Borders, which was organised to mark International Roma Day at the KIC “Budo Tomović”. By combining knowledge and culture, this event aimed to celebrate diversity and the beauty of heritage.
The main organisers and initiators of the quiz were Europe House, on behalf of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, and the Montenegro Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica, in cooperation with partners, including the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation, the Capital City of Podgorica, and the NGO “Civic Alliance.”
The quiz covered questions about the history, culture, and tradition of the Roma, aiming to draw attention to their contribution to society, both globally and in Montenegro.
Participants were students from primary schools attended by children from the Roma and majority communities (this included the Primary Schools “Božidar Vuković Podgoričanin,” “Oktoih,” “21st May,” “Vladimir Nazor,” and “Marko Miljanov”).
In the introductory part of the event, the attendees were addressed by the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović; the Mayor of the Capital City, Podgorica, Prof. Dr. Olivera Injac; the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Oana Cristina Popa; and the Head of the Montenegro Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica, Lejla Dervišagić.
The cultural-artistic part of the night was entrusted to students from the “Mileva Lajović-Lalatović” Primary School in Nikšić.
During her introductory speech, Minister Jakšić-Stojanović emphasised that by celebrating the rich heritage of the Roma, we also highlight the importance of respecting and understanding diversity.
“The quiz we are organising today aims to entertain us, but also to encourage us to think more deeply about the Roma, their history, culture, and contribution to our society. Through play, we learn about the importance of respecting other cultures and preserving cultural diversity,” she stated.
“I believe that through dedicated work, we will be able to note progress and positive results on every subsequent International Roma Day, and that all members of the Roma and Egyptian population will have better living and working conditions in Podgorica because only united in diversity can we build a better society for all of us,” added the Mayor of Podgorica, Olivera Injac.
The President of the City Assembly of the Capital City of Podgorica, Jelena Borovinić-Bojović awarded the winners with various prizes.
This quiz is called “Quiz Without Borders” because the values we promote know no borders, and these values are tolerance, solidarity, dignity, and equality.
We are promoting the culture, tradition, and history of the largest ethnic minority in Europe, emphasised the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Oana Cristina Popa.
“Equal treatment and fundamental rights are the basic values upon which the European Union is built. We strongly support the six million people from the Roma community currently living in Europe. It is our priority and duty to strive for a European society without discrimination and marginalisation,” said Popa.
“The Council of Europe is constantly working on developing new standards. Through joint programmes with the European Union ROMACTED and Roma Integration and in cooperation with relevant institutions, we strive to ensure genuine and systematic participation, representation, and inclusion of Roma in all areas of society and decision-making processes affecting their lives at the local and national levels,” stated Mrs Dervišagić.
Although knowledge is the greatest reward and all teams were winners, those who showed a little more knowledge and skills were awarded.
Thus, the team from the “Vladimir Nazor” Primary School won the first place, while the second place went to the “Oktoih” Primary School, and the third place was awarded to the “Božidar Vuković-Podgoričanin” Primary School. The Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation, with the support of the Institute for Textbooks and Teaching Aids, provided prizes in the form of book sets and writing sets for the first three places. The winning team also received mobile phones, which were provided by the Secretariat for Social Welfare of the Capital City of Podgorica, with the support of the Montenegrin Telekom.
This quiz was organised through a joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe in several other municipalities in Montenegro. International Roma Day will be celebrated throughout Montenegro with numerous cultural, artistic, sports, and other activities.
