Head of Roma folk group Akimov receives French State Award

French Ambassador to Slovakia Didier Lopinot decorated Ivan Akimov, head of Roma folk group Kesaj Tchave, with the Chevalier dans l'Ordre national du Mérite state award (Knight of the National Order for Merit) at Kežmarok Castle on Thursday. Kesaj Tchave is probably more recognised in France than at home in Slovakia, as they have performed numerous times in the land of the Gallic rooster and once even at the Olympia in Athens, where the show was applauded by thousands of people. "I'm incredibly honoured. However, the greatest award for us is the feeling we experience when we come to the [Roma] settlement and everyone shouts" said Ivan Akimov. The group currently boasts 50 permanent members, with others continuously joining in. Kesaj Tchave enjoys long-term amiable relations with the French Embassy to Slovakia that led to the distinguished state award. Akimov is not saddened that he hasn't been decorated in a similar manner by Slovakia at all. "Roma are people too, just a little different. I don't want to say that there are no problems, I have nothing but deep respect for people in the field: teachers and social workers who do beautiful work despite the fact that they don't receive a slightest word of thanks for it. It's possible to work with Roma; it's just that only negative examples make it to the spotlight. However, there are successful Roma in Slovakia, with university education, but they're invisible," said Akimov.