18 Dec., 2015  – 3 Feb., 2016
EPEKA Gallery, Maribor

As part of the events of the project Roma Genocide – Part of European History, the Scientific Research Association for Arts, Cultural and Educational Programmes and Technology the Association EPEKA, a social enterprise, is organising an exhibition by Jake Gasar, Haris Tahirović and young people from different ethnic communities. Opening 18 December at 6 pm.

The exhibition shows glimpses of human everyday life in which there are not so significant differences between the way and culture of life of Roma and members of other nations/ethnicities.

People casually ask themselves questions about who we are, where we come from, what we are, what we want to be, what we would like to do, what we would like to have and many other important life questions for each different period of time. Are we a COPY, are we a unique ORIGINAL?

The answers to these and similar questions are on the one hand simple, on the other hand challenging, and in any given situation, too challenging and multifacetedly complex, depending on the personal commitment, mutual efforts of the individual and the wider and narrower social community, the family, the nation or national community, the state and the international community. Yet they converge into a person, a human being who is proudly aware of his or her identity and of his or her inherent dignity and freedom.

In the life or life path of each subject, the past, the present and the future are intertwined with their effects, for better and for worse. Because the characteristics of genetic secrets and the influences of the wider and narrower society, culture and natural environment are intertwined in us, we humans are similar to each other – presumably a COPY, but at the same time, because of these characteristics and influences, a unique original – an ORIGINAL. What our response will be to this interplay, which is marked by circumstances beyond our significant control, depends primarily on the subject himself, his sincere efforts, determination and constant perseverance, the fruits of which depend significantly on it – such as the sowing, such as the reaping. The Slovenian writer, Tone Pavček, in his poem entitled ‘The Traveller’, vividly put it all: “When you walk, always go to the end. (…) But if you don’t reach the deck and the right forge the first or the second time, try again and again and again.”

In 1948, after the horrors of the past, the United Nations, through the recognition of the present for a better future, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the alma mater of humanitarian endeavour, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the inalienable responsibilities of every subject of human society, enshrined in numerous international instruments, constitutions and laws. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone is entitled to the enjoyment of all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. But they also stated that no distinction, unequal treatment or discrimination of any kind or form whatsoever shall be tolerated in relation to these circumstances, irrespective of the political or legal system or the international status of the country or territory to which any person belongs.

Everyone has duties towards the community in which alone he can be free and the right to the full development of his personality. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law, the sole purpose of which is to secure the compulsory recognition of and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and to meet the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

No form, no extent and no type of power, no theory of superiority, nor any social crisis that we are currently facing in our country and in the world, can or should be the justification, the reason or the trigger for any disparagement of one another, the neglect of a culture of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the abandonment of the responsibility of respect for mutual dignity and freedom. In the words of a Chinese proverb, this could be described as saying that you do not need to switch off another’s light in order to make your own shine better.

With an exhibition of engaging documentary photography, Copy is the Same as the Original, by Jake Gasar, Haris Tahirovic and young people from different ethnic communities. The exhibition shows glimpses of human everyday life in which there are not so significant differences between the way and culture of life of Roma and members of other nations/ethnicities. People of different nationalities and cultures anywhere in the world face similar problems and trials in life, have similar needs, which have different outward appearances. There is something of the black in all of us, of the traditions of different religions and cultures, of the Roma, the Balkan, the Asian… Anyone can find themselves at any time under the constellation of personal satisfaction, and anyone in the throes of life’s difficulties wants and longs to resolve them creatively. Emphasising the mere outward appearance of an individual or a community all too often leads to emphasising difference or even discrimination, instead of people looking for similarities and commonalities and thus increasing tolerance, coexistence and cooperation.

Fostering a culture of respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of everyone and, inseparably linked to these, the exercise of duty and responsibility towards fellow human beings and the community, is a constant concern for each and everyone in a community in which we are friends and act as brothers to one another.

More at www.epeka.si / www.facebook.com/epeka.slovenia / epeka@epeka.si

The exhibition is supported by the EU programme Europe for Citizens and the Municipality of Maribor.