Introduction
LUNIK IX
In Kosice, a communist-era housing estate called Lunik IX has come to embody all that has gone wrong with Slovakia’s Roma population.
Built in the late 1970s for army and police personnel and de- signed for 2,500 residents, the crumbling tower blocks now officially house 6,542 (12/2015) registered inhabitants and almost all of them are of Roma ethnicity, many living without electricity or running water.
From the beginning of the 1980s a large part of the Roma residents living in the city and in nearby settlements were moved to Lunik IX.
Built in the late 1970s for army and police personnel and de- signed for 2,500 residents, the crumbling tower blocks now officially house 6,542 (12/2015) registered inhabitants and almost all of them are of Roma ethnicity, many living without electricity or running water.
From the beginning of the 1980s a large part of the Roma residents living in the city and in nearby settlements were moved to Lunik IX.
Overview
Goto first pageThe Lunik IX housing estate in January 2016.
The Lunik IX housing estate in January 2016.
Lunik IX seen from Marek's flat (above) and from the hill on the backside of the estate. A map shows an overview of the area and buildings which were demolished in the past.
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The prefabricated buildings were originally built as new homes for members of the army and police and their families, who gradually moved away.
The Roma inhabitants stayed, becoming isolated into a ghetto. Living conditions at Lunik IX are mostly very poor; the electricity, water or gas have been turned off in many buildings because of unpaid bills and debts.
Much of the housing complex is without windows, and all kinds of metal, such as that in railings and doors, has been removed. Inside the flats the residents try to live as well as they can under the circumstances.
Often there is a sharp contrast between outside and inside – inside, many of the flats are in a better state than the outside facilities. Most of the inhabitants are unemployed – roughly 95% – and survive on social welfare.
The pastoral mission of the Salesians of Don Bosco – which has a church and a community centre at Lunik IX – is presently the only organization working long term with the Roma community.
They started working at the estate in 2008 and are supported by volunteers. For the Salesians the church is meant to be a place where the Roma can meet not only with God, but also with each other.
The pastoral centre offers cultural and leisure activities and a space for friendship. “Positive personal relationships must be produced among
people living on the estate.”
Marcel Šaňa (38) is the in 2014 new elected mayor of Lunik IX. He is living almost his entire life at the estate himself, is married and father of two. Mr. Šaňa worked before for eleven years at a steel company in Kosice, he also studies at the St. Elizabeth College of Health and Social Work in Kosice.
His predecessor Dionýz Slepčík committed suicide in 2014, in the age of 39 years.
The Roma inhabitants stayed, becoming isolated into a ghetto. Living conditions at Lunik IX are mostly very poor; the electricity, water or gas have been turned off in many buildings because of unpaid bills and debts.
Much of the housing complex is without windows, and all kinds of metal, such as that in railings and doors, has been removed. Inside the flats the residents try to live as well as they can under the circumstances.
Often there is a sharp contrast between outside and inside – inside, many of the flats are in a better state than the outside facilities. Most of the inhabitants are unemployed – roughly 95% – and survive on social welfare.
The pastoral mission of the Salesians of Don Bosco – which has a church and a community centre at Lunik IX – is presently the only organization working long term with the Roma community.
They started working at the estate in 2008 and are supported by volunteers. For the Salesians the church is meant to be a place where the Roma can meet not only with God, but also with each other.
The pastoral centre offers cultural and leisure activities and a space for friendship. “Positive personal relationships must be produced among
people living on the estate.”
Marcel Šaňa (38) is the in 2014 new elected mayor of Lunik IX. He is living almost his entire life at the estate himself, is married and father of two. Mr. Šaňa worked before for eleven years at a steel company in Kosice, he also studies at the St. Elizabeth College of Health and Social Work in Kosice.
His predecessor Dionýz Slepčík committed suicide in 2014, in the age of 39 years.
Lunik IX seen from Marek's flat (above) and from the hill on the backside of the estate. A map shows an overview of the area and buildings which were demolished in the past.
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"Young people who have children – young families – have no chance. No work; nothing. Me, for example. I will soon be 54 years old. I have an education; I finished secondary school, graduating from high school, and I have no work. I was also the mayor [of Lunik IX].” (January 2014)
Milena and her family
Moving out."Hrebendova 34-36", January 2014
This concrete building is decrepit and will be soon demolished. Most of the former inhabitants have already moved out; a very few families still live in it. Since Milena, her mother Bozena and the rest of their family had legal contracts, they are expecting compensatory flats.
The building had about 30 flats with approximately 200 inhabitants. As 95% of the other residents did not have contracts, they have no right to any compensation.
The building had about 30 flats with approximately 200 inhabitants. As 95% of the other residents did not have contracts, they have no right to any compensation.
Six months later. The family has moved to their first compensatory flat. At the moment, three generations, including a newborn baby, are living in the flat and
conditions are very tough. There is no gas, electricity
or running water. The day before, thieves stole pipes
from the flat above and since then water has been
leaking from their ceiling.
conditions are very tough. There is no gas, electricity
or running water. The day before, thieves stole pipes
from the flat above and since then water has been
leaking from their ceiling.
Milena's mother Bozena
Bozena, Milena’s mother, with her grandchildren.
Bozena has lived at Lunik IX for more than 32 years, during which she has witnessed the transformation of the housing estate.
Maria and Darina
Goto first page Goto first page Goto first page Goto first pageLeaving the estate
"All Roma under totalitarianism had to be employed and go to work. I worked in a steel factory named US Steel for 37 years. When democracy came it was great at first, but politicians neglected the Roma problem. Nowadays nobody wants to give us work because of the colour of our skin. ‘You’re black, a černá huba (an ethnic slur meaning ‘black mouth’),’ they’ll say.
Aladar, his partner Lidia and their children left Lunik IX in 2014 for the United Kingdom, where they live to this day.
The Salesians
The Pastoral Misssion of the Salesians of Don Bosco
On 1 July 2008 the Salesians officially arrived at Lunik IX.
They head a team of Salesian Fathers, Salesian Sisters and volunteers that help the Roma community in different aspects of their lives. "Education is the only path to humanization.”
They head a team of Salesian Fathers, Salesian Sisters and volunteers that help the Roma community in different aspects of their lives. "Education is the only path to humanization.”
During the service.
Daily life
Goto first page Goto first page Goto first page Goto first page Goto first page Goto first page Goto first pageDemolition
Goto first page Goto first page Goto first page Goto first page Goto first page Goto first pageThe end
The EndPreview
This story is part of a long-term project and was made
in-between September 2013 and January 2016.
Chapter three is about Rankovce, a village with a Roma mayor
working with the NGO ETP Slovakia on a project to establish micro-loan funds to create transformative change in socially excluded Roma communities. The foundation also supports self-help home constructions where the ownership belongs to the Roma.
Music by Mario Bihari
Photography // Video // Audio by Björn Steinz
More here: http://a-wall-runs-through-it.oka2.com
in-between September 2013 and January 2016.
Chapter three is about Rankovce, a village with a Roma mayor
working with the NGO ETP Slovakia on a project to establish micro-loan funds to create transformative change in socially excluded Roma communities. The foundation also supports self-help home constructions where the ownership belongs to the Roma.
Music by Mario Bihari
Photography // Video // Audio by Björn Steinz
More here: http://a-wall-runs-through-it.oka2.com
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LUNIK IX
Pepa.
Youths.
Children.
Leaving.
Video Intro.
New building.
Pepa Interview.
Pepa 2016.
Moving out.
Milena.
Milena heating in a steel oven.
Decoration.
Video Interview.
Dancing.
Love.
"Hrebendova 34-36".
Shop owner Maria.
Maria at home.
Living room.
Darina.
Father Aladar.
Mother Lidia..
The daughter of the family.
Learning.
Volunteers and children.
Church service.
Sestra Anna video interview.
Sestra Anna and children.
Children playing beside a fire.
Anna Maria (10).
Ondrej (50).
A building on fire.
The family of Ondrej and his brother.
Ondrej's family kitchen.
Ondrej (50) and his wife Janeta (42).
"Hrebendova 34-36" in January 2014.
"Hrebendova 34-36", January 2016.
Beside Lunik IX.
A new shanty town.
Many of those moved here, they did not knowwhere else to go.
Beside the estate.
The End