Author Archives: Roma Foundation

France News Western Europe

Homage to Toni Gatlif

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Homage to Toni Gatlif

Many articles on Toni Gatlif, a French director known for his films celebrating Roma culture, who passed away at 77 due to health issues while working on a film in France.

His notable works include ‘Latcho Drom’ and ‘Gadjo Dilo’, both of which received critical acclaim and awards.

Gatlif, born in Algeria, had a complex background and was recognized for his unique storytelling that highlighted themes of music, movement, and exile.

France News Western Europe

Toni Gatlif

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Toni Gatlif

Filmmaker Tony Gatlif, a champion of Roma culture with some twenty films to his credit – including Gadjo Dilo – died on Wednesday at the age of 77, his family announced to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Friday, September 4. The director died in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône) from health problems while working on a historical film project.

Te avel i phuv lokhi!

News Asia

Lyuli

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Lyuli

The Lyuli/Mughat communities, often stereotyped as beggars, have a rich cultural heritage that includes craftsmanship, family life, and a complex identity shaped by their long history in Central Asia. Lyuli are most probably related to the same migratiobn that brought Roma to Europe.

The documentary “We Are (At) Home” by Shakhzoda Mirakova highlights the everyday lives of these communities, challenging the narrow public perception focused on poverty and marginalization.

Despite their integration into Central Asian society, the Lyuli/Mughat face significant challenges, including limited representation in education and public life, and are often labeled with derogatory terms that obscure their diverse identities.

Europe News Americas

IT and Extreme Right

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IT and Extreme Right

David Heinemeier Hansson has called for the extensive deportation of Roma and Sinti, raising controversy around his political views.

He is known as the creator of Ruby on Rails but has lost respect in the software community due to his right-wing political stance and support for far-right extremists.

Omarchy, an initiative associated with Hansson, is linked to his controversial reputation.

Austria News Western Europe

Mariazell

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Mariazell

The Roma and Sinti have a long-standing tradition of pilgrimage to Mariazell, which was interrupted by the Nazis in 1938 but has been revived since 1996, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

The pilgrimage serves as a cultural expression for the Roma community, featuring a bilingual mass in German and Burgenlandromani, promoting inclusion for both Roma and non-Roma participants.

Youth involvement is significant, with Roma children and teenagers contributing to the event, and this year’s theme focused on peace in light of current international events.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Child Abduction?

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Child Abduction?

A strange story in Ukraine of a possible abduction by Roma of a two years old child. This sounds very much like one of the stereotypes attributed to Roma. It is also unclear from the article whether the child is or is not Rom…

Bad journalism and stereotypes.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Alina Șerban

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Alina Șerban

Alina Șerban, acclaimed for her role in ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’, returns to the Venice Film Festival as a director and screenwriter with her debut feature ‘I Matter’, premiering on September 8.

‘I Matter’, a co-production between Romania, Germany, and Belgium, is one of eight films selected for the Spotlight section at the festival, competing for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award.

The film tells the story of Rebeca, a Roma teenager preparing to leave a care center, highlighting underrepresented narratives in cinema about the complexities of Roma experiences and adolescence.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

RARE

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RARE

Young Roma from various countries are participating in the RARE Roma Youth Leadership Bootcamp in Divčibare, Serbia, aimed at developing leadership skills and community engagement among Roma youth.

The bootcamp features sessions like “Own Your Voice,” focusing on building self-confidence, confronting stereotypes, and preserving cultural identity.

The program is part of a larger EU initiative to improve educational opportunities for Roma students in the Western Balkans and Turkey, funded by the European Commission.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma in Serbia

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Roma in Serbia

Minister for Human and Minority Rights, Demo Beriša, visited Beočin to discuss challenges faced by the Roma community with local officials and community members.

Beriša emphasized the importance of open dialogue and collaboration to improve living conditions for the Roma minority.

The visit reflects the Ministry’s approach of engaging directly with citizens to understand their needs and work with local governments on solutions.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Gypsy Lore Society

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Gypsy Lore Society

The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Gypsy Lore Society and Conference on Romani Studies took place in Zagreb, featuring Maja Grubišić discussing her research on Romani customary law in Croatia, supported by the Roma Association ‘KALI SARA’.

The research aims to document and explore the historical practices and institutions that have shaped Romani communities, emphasizing the need to view customary law as part of their cultural heritage rather than a justification for practices that may infringe on individual rights.

Grubišić highlighted the diversity of Romani customary law, which varies across communities and is influenced by historical, geographical, and social contexts, advocating for an interdisciplinary approach to better understand its complexities.

Greece News Western Europe

Greek Editorial …

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Greek Editorial …

In a reputed Greek newspaper, I Kathimerini, a Journalist, Takis Theodoropoulos went on rampage. He says tht the integration fo Roma in Greece has failed (there, he is not wrong), but makes statements such as”

“As is known, the Roma, unlike all other Greeks, are subsidized to send their children to school and most of them, when their parents receive the amount, disappear.”

He claims the generosity of the state is due to upcoming elections, and also speaks about criminality:

‘I am not just referring to uncontrolled delinquency, carrying weapons or stealing copper.”

All in all, appart from lamenting the lack of integration, he puts implicitly all the fault on Roma themselves.

A bit easy…

Η αποτυχημένη ένταξη των Ρομά. In: I Kathimerini. 28.07.2026. https://www.kathimerini.gr/opinion/564369919/i-apotychimeni-entaxi-ton-roma/

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Romani Zour

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Romani Zour

The Romani Zour program, aimed at increasing employment among the Roma community in Kočevje, has seen limited success, with only three out of 18 participants securing jobs after six months.

According to the artcile, many Roma prefer to rely on social help rather than seek employment, as they often receive more financial support through these programs than they would earn from jobs. The program faces challenges, including a lack of interest from local employers and the need for better planning and support for participants, such as providing meals during work hours.

The issue is as usual racism and education …

Germany News Western Europe

45 Years Ago

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45 Years Ago

On September 1, 1981, a group of Sinti gathered at the University of Tübingen to reclaim documents related to the Nazi persecution of their community, including photographs and records from the ‘Racial Hygiene Research Center’.

The term “Zigeuner” (Gypsy) is historically loaded and considered derogatory; the article uses “Z*” to avoid perpetuating this stigma while discussing the historical context of the genocide known as Porajmos.

The involvement of scientists in legitimizing the persecution of Sinti and Roma is highlighted, with calls for recognition and justice continuing to this day, as the community seeks to reclaim their narrative and history.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma in Serbia

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Roma in Serbia

Nevenka Vasić from the Democratic Union of Roma (DUR) stated that Roma in Serbia should no longer be treated as political targets during elections with empty promises and cheap packages.

She emphasized the long-standing systemic economic and social neglect of the Roma community, calling for permanent jobs, quality education, and real equality instead of temporary promises.

According to the 2022 census, there are 131,936 declared Roma in Serbia, but estimates suggest the actual number could be between 400,000 to 500,000, highlighting the need for the community to be recognized beyond just social assistance.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Evaluation?

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Evaluation?

The Slovak government is launching a new phase of a program aimed at monitoring and evaluating public policies for the Roma population, particularly marginalized communities, to better address their needs.

The initiative, which follows a previous phase, emphasizes the importance of collecting and analyzing current data to assess the effectiveness of implemented measures and improve decision-making at various governmental levels.

A budget of over 5.68 million EUR has been allocated for this project, with funding from both the European Union and the Slovak state budget, aiming to enhance socio-economic integration and improve living conditions for marginalized Roma communities.

It is simpler to evaluate what has not really been done rather than doing things that matter.

Germany News Western Europe

Germany and AfD

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Germany and AfD

What do you expect from AfD: Simply, racist statements.

The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma has filed a criminal complaint against Tino Chrupalla, the leader of the AfD party, accusing him of incitement and insult during a campaign event in Grimmen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Chrupalla allegedly suggested that weapons found in a forest near Berlin were likely lost by ‘Gypsies’ while mushroom picking, which was met with applause and laughter from the audience.

The council expressed shock that, 81 years after Auschwitz, a far-right party is using cynical rhetoric against Sinti and Roma, which they claim promotes fear and hatred towards minorities.

Chrupalla defended his comments, stating he did not intend to offend the Sinti and Roma communities, despite receiving applause for his remarks linking them to a recent weapons find in Berlin.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbia – Challenges

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Serbia – Challenges

The article discusses the challenges faced by young Roma in Serbia, including education, discrimination, and the desire to emigrate for better opportunities.

Despite improvements in educational attainment, young Roma still face high unemployment and discrimination in the job market, leading many to consider leaving Serbia.

The article emphasizes the need for systemic change and support from both the state and the Roma community to ensure young Roma can thrive and contribute to their society.

Uncategorized

Bulgaria – Improvement?

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Bulgaria – Improvement?

Bulgarian Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva visited Kyustendil to discuss improvements in living conditions, infrastructure, education, and access to services in the “East” neighborhood, highlighting local government and community engagement.

The visit included meetings with local officials and community members, focusing on the importance of housing status and the role of Roma mediators in facilitating access to education and services.

Delcheva emphasized the need for sustainable urban planning initiated in 2017, which aims to improve living conditions for over 1,000 households and ensure better access to essential services.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Protestantism

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Protestantism

A book by sociologist Dragan Todorović discusses the spread of Protestantism among the Roma community in southeastern Serbia and its societal impacts.

The research highlights how religious changes can influence education, family dynamics, women’s status, solidarity, and community involvement among Roma.

The event at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts emphasizes the importance of recognizing Roma’s personal choices and identities beyond stereotypes of poverty and discrimination.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Milan Daniel

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Milan Daniel

The article discusses a film based on the true story of Milan Daniel, a Romani youth who was attacked by neo-Nazis in Břeclav in 2001, resulting in a coma and clinical death.

The film, titled “33 Steps,” is set to be released in Czech cinemas on September 3rd.

It received Special Jury Recognition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

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