"Difference is Our Strength"
With the theme ‘Difference is Our Strength', the National Centre for Social Solidarity (E.K.K.A.) will host a concert to emphasise the integration of the Roma, refugee and immigrant populations within the Greek society. This concert will promote equal rights for all and the development of good relations between all races and ethnicities.
We will hear the clarinet with musician Vasilis Saleas, songs by Sarantis Saleas, and music by Roma bands from all over the world, including the band ‘Prwto Taksidi' (First Trip), which is composed of young musicians playing rock and various ballads. ‘Lava' is a band which will play music from Albania. ‘Al Mahabba' will play music from the Middle East, ‘Telesilia' with Balkan and Gypsy music, and many others. The musicians will be accompanied by the ‘Melody Chamber Orchestra'.
The concert is in cooperation with the European program ‘Progress' which is trying to promote anti-discrimination laws. The program aims to ban discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The second part of the program is called the Racial Equality Directive and applies to all people in the E.U. and goes beyond the traditional field of employment into areas such healthcare, education and housing. Discrimination victims have the right to make a complaint and those who discriminate face penalties, although how this is done varies from country to country. Although laws banning discrimination are an absolute prerequisite, on their own, they are unable to achieve the goal of creating a society that is free from discrimination. The National Centre for Social Solidarity (E.K.K.A.) is a State Organization based in Athens, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity. It was established in 2003.
The concert will be held at "Texnopolis" in Gazi at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21st. The Metro stop is "Keramikos" and buses- 035, 049, 811, 815, 914, B18, 731, 031 all stop at "Palea Agora" from Omonia square.