Bars in Poznan not open to everyone.

A meeting between restaurant owners and representatives of the Roma community is being held in Poznań western Poland today after claims the ethnic minority has been banned from bars and clubs there.

In January it was reported that several pubs in Poznan have been practicing what is perceived as blatant racism against Romani.

“I’m not the only one to have imposed such a ban. The Roma enter in large groups and raise hell. Besides that, they make a mess – their tables often look like they were hit by an earthquake after they leave,” one pub owner told the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper last month.

Today’s meeting will be mediated by delegates from local government and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The main goal of the talks is for both sides to comprehend each other’s position, says local government lawyer Patryk Pawełczak:

"We want the round-table talks to bring about a consensus that would satisfy both parties, so that restaurant owners are convinced that the conflict has been resolved, and that although some things need to be improved, Poznań is, in fact, a tolerant city and that such incidents will never occur in the city again," he told Polish Radio.

Miklosz Deki Czureja, a Romani violinist, who used to play concerts at the Piano Bar, claims he was also asked to leave when he came to the pub as a customer with his partner and a granddaughter.

The blatant discrimination was reported to the Wielkopolska organization for Roma and to the local ombudsman for minority issues. (pg/ab)