“CHERNORIZETS HRABAR” AWARD TAKEN AWAY
FROM KALIN RUMENOV, BECAUSE OF RACISM
17th september 2008

The Publishing coalition in Bulgaria took away unprecedentedly the prize “Chernorizets Hrabar” from one of this year ' s nomenees – Kalin Rumenov.

The trophy was presented in May to the reporter from Darik radio-Varna, in the category-young journalist, because of his publications in Novinar newspaper. There he comments the way of life of the gypsy community.

Shortly after him receiving his trophy though, Bulgarian and International organizations for protection of the minorities remonstrated against that and wanted the trophy to be taken away. The Simon Vezental Center, The Jewish international organization fighting anti - semitism, even refered solicitation to President George Parvanov, under whose protection is "Chernorizets Hrabar", to intervene. A public civil signature initiative was also made against Kalin Rumenov in which excerpt from his writings were being quoted: He that is sowing gypsy seed, will reap social helps. Gypsies are propagated, while you pay taxes, bulgarian dudes… Gypsies come as wolves, are propagated as sheep and there’s no poetry in this. The gypsies, after the 30 years will be the same as today. They will again finish very quickly, in their women. They will again not be able to take care of themselves and bring money in the big Bulgarian family.” The texts about which he took the prize though, are others, in which there are no comment about the gypsies.

At first, the Publishing coalition refused to take away the prize, but after the VATS Media group, holding the newspapers "24 hours" and "Labor", announced that the articles of Kalin Rumenov are unacceptable, their position was changed. The decision to take away the trophy was  that this have been done is made previously for two days with the motivtaken two days ago, on the basis of “Racist attitude towards the gypsy community", Darik radio announced.

More on the theme: "Chernorizets Hrabar is not Chernorizets Racist"

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