Alexandru Florin Țiglar is a student in the 7th grade at the Secondary School in Buzd. The child, guided by teacher Mihai Claudiu Rotaru, won the 3rd prize at the National Competition “History and traditions of the Roma”. Along with him, at this stage, his younger colleague, Juan Miguel Cercea, a student in the 6th grade, also arrived. Their performance is all the more commendable as it is the first time in the history of this competition that Sibiu has students who reach the national competition.
Because Alexandru was the one who managed to get a prize at this year’s stage, organized for the first time in Sibiu, we focused on his story, written and published by Florii himself, on his birthday.
Alex Florin Țiglar is 14 years old and says he likes to learn new things. He is alone with his parents, who the boy says are separated. He stayed with his father, but as he is away working abroad, Alex is raised by his grandmother.
In the 5th grade, he started studying the optional “History and traditions of the Roma” with teacher Mihai Claudiu Rotaru. It was also then that he found out about the competition in which, this year, he won the third prize at the national stage.
Alex and Juan Miguel with their teacher, Mihai Claudiu Rotaru
“From the beginning I was curious and interested in this matter. That’s what made me participate in this contest. I am passionate, especially about Roma traditions related to marriage and baptism. If I am to talk about the history of the Roma, the most troubling part seems to me to be the Abolitionist Current in Europe. There are many things that happened then”, says Alex Florin.
In addition to this elective, which he loves to study at school, the boy also likes Geography and English.
He is also passionate about football.
“I really like football, it’s a great passion for me,” Alex says.
The boy cannot say much about his future. He has not yet decided what he wants to do when he grows up. What he knows for sure is that he wants to go to the “Axente Sever” High School in Mediaș, and one of his dreams is to finish a university.
Alex also has a message for the Roma children, but also for those who supported him.
“I tell them with all my heart not to hide the fact that they are of Roma ethnicity, because it is not a shame. We are all human, it doesn’t matter the ethnicity and I want to thank my family for their support and the teacher for everything because he was also very involved.”
A teacher from Buzd fought to keep the optional in the school
Mihai Claudiu Rotaru implemented this optional in the school in Buzd three years ago and says that it was a real success among the students. She fought hard to keep him in school.
He says that this school year he participated in the county stage of the “History and traditions of the Roma” contest with 17 students, 7 students from the 6th grade and 10 from the 7th grade. Alex and Miguel reached the national team.
“I am proud of my students and want to thank them and their parents once again for their effort and support. We introduced this optional in our school because it gives students the opportunity to understand and appreciate cultural diversity, helping to promote tolerance and respect towards the Roma community.
It can also play an essential role in combating prejudices and stereotypes that exist in our society. For Roma students, the elective can strengthen their cultural identity and give them a sense of pride in the traditions and history of their own community.
History and Traditions of the Roma can contribute to the promotion of an intercultural education in school, by encouraging dialogue and the exchange of knowledge, students can learn to appreciate and respect the culture and traditions of other ethnic groups, teaching them to recognize and combat discrimination and social marginalization,” said for the Council Tower, Prof. Mihai Claudiu Rotaru.
The national competition took place between April 19 and 22, being the 15th edition. This year Sibiu organized it for the first time.
Read also: Prizes of 10,600 lei for the students of the “History and traditions of the Roma” National Contest, plus 900 lei for each individual participant. The money is allocated by ME and Partida Rromilor ProEuropa
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