Roma Everyday Heroes Campaign Recognized Roma Who Are Integral to Hungarian Society with a Golden Band Prize

In its fourth edition, the voting for Roma Everyday Heroes elicited a resounding popular response. The award has proven to be a reliable way to challenge public discourse on Roma communities in Hungary, with thousands of votes cast by readers of Index.hu each year for the Golden Band Prize.

In its fourth edition, the voting for Roma Everyday Heroes elicited a resounding popular response. The award has proven to be a reliable way to challenge public discourse on Roma communities in Hungary, with thousands of votes cast by readers of Index.hu each year for the Golden Band Prize. Organized by the Roma Press Center – which has fought stereotypes with its reporting on the Roma community for two decades – on the occasion of International Roma Day, this year’s winner was announced on the afternoon of April 7 at the Budapest Jazz Club. This year’s nominees included:

Tünde, hairdresser

Marcsi, social worker and journalist

Zoltan, mechanic and fish farm owner

Anita, programmer and math tutor

Lejla, foster home manager

Ágnes, teacher

Diána, opera singer and singing coach

István, social worker

Szilvia, cleaner and pedagogy student

Barbara, food blogger and education advisor

The award ceremony on Saturday, April 7, highlighted that Roma are an integral part of the fabric of everyday life in Hungary, whether providing services, leading in their professional fields, or performing on stage, and are active role models for the next generation.

Readers awarded this honor in 2018 to Zoltán Beri for his outstanding work developing his fish farms, his strong relationship with the angling community and his contribution to the Roma community in Hungary.

Prior to the award he said, “Unfortunately it today’s society many people are struggling to put something on the table. I grew up in similar circumstances, and I promised myself that if things ever go well for me, then I would never forget from where I have come.”