Everyone has an important role in modern day societies to challenge the stereotypes of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, regardless of nationality, we all have a collective responsibility. Furthermore, it is the duty of Romani people to preserve their identities and I acknowledge that it means something different to every single one of us, as we are Europe’s biggest and most diverse minority group! I was brought up with my mother and my siblings in a small village called Simonfa in South of Hungary. Before starting primary school, my mother told me that I had to study twice as hard than any other child in the classroom. Her advice has stuck with me since. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to become a lawyer, because I wanted to help vulnerable people to provide a platform for their their voices to be heard, to deliver justice to them. At the age of 14, I moved to Budapest to start my secondary education in a Christian high school. Shortly after my final...

I am Ákos Varga, I am 20 years old. After primary school, I continued my studies in Kisvárda. Unfortunately, as early as the age of 14, I have experienced what is it like if you are regarded as different because of your origin. I got into the advanced English/German class of an elite high school with 30 students. Out of 30 students, I was the only Gypsy. A Gypsy coming from a small village whose parents have only finished the 8 years of primary school. It was not easy to settle in. It took me one year to be accepted by my classmates. In the first year, I had to cope with slander and racist comments that were implicitly but undoubtedly addressed to me. Thanks to them did I first have such negative experiences and I say thanks because these offences persuaded me to show the people what I am really like. My story started at a PE lesson, playing football, when my peers shouted to me: "Run, Gypsy!" Suddenly, I did not know what to do as no such thing had happened to me bef...

Photo by Krisztián Maráczi   If we turn to other people as to equal partners, they become capable of much more than they would think. I grew up with seven brothers and sisters. We were never alone, we could always count on each other, we were real tricksters, we were never bored, neither we nor our parents. My childhood was not easy, we had everything but we had to face many difficulties. I would not trade it for anything. I owe a lot to my teachers, there was always someone who held my hand, motivated and supported me. My original profession is house painter, I am one of the best painters, thanks to my teacher of the time, who always inspired me to be twice as good as my peers. For a long time, I could only wash the tools in practice lessons, I did not have the opportunity to show that I can do far more than that. Things changed when me and some of my classmates got a task which we accomplished making our best efforts and our teacher noticed our talent. At the end ...