Roma community centre condemns state language chief’s remarks as dangerous

The Roma Community Centre has sharply criticised statements by Audrius Valotka, head of Lithuania’s State Language Inspectorate, calling his defence of the terms “čigonas” (gypsy) and “negras” (a racial slur) “dangerous” and accused him of fostering ethnic discord, LRT.lt reports.

Valotka, in comments published by LRT, argued that both terms are “normal, permissible words” and dismissed criticism of a Vilnius shop named “Čigono daržas” (Gypsy Garden) as manufactured outrage. “The word ‘negras‘ is a normal, permissible word. […] It is a good, normal word. The word ‘čigonas‘ is an old, traditional, good word,” he stated, claiming that only “individual activists” object while the broader Roma community does not.

The Roma Community Centre countered that “čigonas” is a racist and offensive term due to its historical connotations and etymology. In a statement, the organisation condemned Valotka’s remarks as promoting “ethnic intolerance” and undermining public trust in his institution. It also rejected his claim that minority groups should not influence language, calling it a “fundamental misunderstanding of democratic principles”: “Language is not detached from the people who speak it. It evolves with society, and state officials are accountable to citizens.”

The centre warned that the controversy exposes deeper systemic issues, questioning how state institutions balance linguistic norms with respect for diversity. “This is not just about one statement—it reveals how authorities understand their role in shaping not only language but also standards of respect in society,” the statement read.

Former culture minister Simonas Kairys joined the criticism, calling Valotka “unfit” for his post. “I don’t understand how the Social Democrats could reappoint him after multiple disciplinary investigations,” Kairys wrote on social media, also questioning the silence of the current Culture Ministry leadership. The ministry later distanced itself from Valotka’s remarks, stating it “categorically disagrees” with his position.

The Lithuanian Human Rights Centre also responded, emphasising that “language is not just words—it’s a relationship with people.” The organisation noted it had previously urged the culture minister in 2025 not to appoint Valotka, citing his history of “spreading xenophobic attitudes, stigmatising ethnic minorities, and weakening social cohesion.”