Ahmet Akın announces: Turkey’s largest Roma children’s orchestra is being established

Speaking at the Roma Association Representatives Meeting, Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Akın said, “We are establishing Turkey’s largest Roma children’s orchestra. This orchestra will educate and nurture our children, and it will travel the world. Let us send a message from Balıkesir: Please, let us end discrimination, starting from Balıkesir.”

Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Akın attended the Roma Association Representatives Meeting held at the Pamukçu Onhann Thermal Hotel.

In addition to Mayor Akın, the program was attended by CHP Balıkesir Deputy Serkan Sarı, CHP Balıkesir Provincial Chair Erden Köybaşı, Altıeylül Mayor Hakan Şehirli, representatives of Roma associations, and Roma citizens.

Stating that Turkey is experiencing a major economic crisis, Akın expressed that fighting poverty should be one of the primary issues to focus on. Saying that they will look after everyone without letting the left hand know what the right hand is giving, and without alienating or marginalizing anyone, Akın continued as follows:

“THOSE WHO SAY THE ECONOMY IS GOOD DO NOT GO TO THE MARKET, THE BUTCHER, OR THE GREENGROCER”

“We will do this in unity. According to ENAG data, annual inflation has neared 90 percent. They say inflation will fall, but it does not. Because there is no established system. According to TÜRK-İŞ data, the hunger threshold has exceeded 20 thousand liras, and the poverty threshold has neared 67 thousand liras. Due to input costs, the fire that started in the fields has reached our dinner tables. Even in an agricultural and livestock paradise like Balıkesir, food prices are burning pockets. Those who talk about growth figures on television every day and say the economy is improving clearly never go to the market, the butcher, or the greengrocer. I am saying this as a mayor.”

Expressing that the discrimination faced by Roma people in Turkey is far from Balıkesir, Akın said, “We are establishing Turkey’s largest Roma children’s orchestra. This orchestra will educate and nurture our children, and it will travel the world. It will travel across Turkey. Why shouldn't our children go? Why shouldn't the children of our Balıkesir go and perform concerts in Germany, France, and Italy?”

Special team for Roma neighborhoods

Announcing that a team consisting of a special 'Close Solution Team' will be established for Roma neighborhoods, Akın stated that this team will visit Roma neighborhoods one by one to identify demands and requests on-site, and concluded his words as follows:

“We will address a deficiency that has not been resolved for years. There is no more blaming the past. We are in a position to get things done here. Our friends from the Close Solution team will knock on your doors and note down your troubles and requests. They will bring me a report of these notes every month. Together with my 20 mayors, we will provide solutions for them. Let me be clear and open about our term: Everyone is close, everyone is privileged. There is no such thing as being different. Let us send a message from Balıkesir. Please, let us end discrimination, starting from Balıkesir. There is a mayor who is enthusiastic about this, curious about this, and has set his mind to this. Let this discrimination end now. Let unity and solidarity be permanent. Let our Balıkesir prosper with the spirit of the Kuvayimilliye. I want our country to prosper, and I want our Roma people to win as well. I have no other concern.”