Recommendation 1521
(2001)[1][1]
Csango minority culture in Romania
1.
Further to its
report on the endangered Uralic minority cultures in
2.
The Csangos (Ceangăi in
Romanian) are a non-homogeneous group of Roman Catholic people. This ethnic
group is a relic from the Middle Ages that has survived in
- For centuries, the
self-identity of the Csangos was based on the
Roman Catholic religion and their own language spoken in the family and
the village community. This, as well as their archaic lifestyle and world
view, may explain their very strong ties to the Roman Catholic religion
and the survival of their dialect.
- Those who still speak Csango or consider it their mother tongue have been
declining as a proportion of the population. Although not everybody agrees
on this number it is thought that between 60 000 and 70 000 people speak
the Csango language.
5.
Today in
6.
The Csangos make no political demands, but merely want to be recognised as a distinct culture. They ask for assistance
in safeguarding it and, first and foremost they demand that their children be
taught the Csango language and that their church
services be held in their mother tongue.
7.
The Assembly
recalls the texts which it has adopted on related matters, notably
Recommendation 928 (1981) on the educational and cultural problems of
minority languages and dialects in Europe, Recommendation 1203 (1993)
on Gypsies in Europe, Recommendation 1283
(1996) on history and the learning of history in Europe, Recommendation 1291
(1996) on Yiddish culture and Recommendation 1333
(1997) on the Aromanian culture and language.
8.
Diversity of
cultures and languages should be seen as a precious resource that enriches our
European heritage and also reinforces the identity of each nation and
individual. Assistance on the European level, and in particular from the
Council of Europe, is justified to save any particular culture and is needed in
the case of the Csangos.
9.
The Assembly
therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers encourage
i.
the possibility
to be educated in the mother tongue should be ensured in accordance with the
Romanian Constitution and the legislation on education. In the meantime
classrooms should be made available in local schools and teachers working in
the villages teaching the Csango language should be
paid;
ii.
Csango parents should be
informed of the Romanian legislation on education and instructions should be
issued on how to apply for its provisions concerning languages;
iii.
there should be
an option for Roman Catholic services in the Csango
language in the churches in Csango villages and the
possibility for the Csangos to sing hymns in their
own mother tongue;
iv.
all Csango associations should be officially recognised and supported. Particular attention should be
paid to the correct registration of the Csango
minority at the next official census;
v.
access to modern
mass media facilities should be promoted. Financial support should be given to Csango associations in accordance with the availability of
funds, in order to help them to express actively their own identity (in
particular through the issuing of a monthly publication and the functioning of
a local radio station);
vi.
specific programmes should be set up for the promotion of Csango culture in the context of raising awareness of and
respect for minorities. International discussions and seminars of experts
should be organised to study the Csangos;
vii.
an information
campaign should be launched in
viii.
the unique
linguistic and ethnographical features of the Csangos
should be appropriately recorded;
ix.
the economic
revival of the area should be encouraged, for example, through the
establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises in Csango
villages.
[2][1] Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting
on behalf of the Assembly, on