Author Archives: Roma Foundation

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Roma Film Festival IROFF

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Roma Film Festival IROFF

The IROFF International Romani Film Festival will return to Prague from September 10 to 13. After last year’s zero year, it will offer four days of film screenings, two Czech premieres, discussions with filmmakers, concerts and exhibitions. The program was presented today at a press conference by Petr Ščuka from the organizing organization Identity Prague. The festival will take place at several locations in the metropolis.

https://youtu.be/rJco6QraHf8

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Neo-Nazis in Bulgaria

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Neo-Nazis in Bulgaria

The rise of neo-Nazi groups in Bulgaria, particularly the ‘Blood and Honor’ club, and their connections to a broader culture of ethnic nationalism and authoritarianism is discussed in both articles.

It highlights incidents of violence linked to these groups, including attacks on minorities and the normalization of extremist ideologies in society.

The authors argues that the current political climate in Bulgaria fosters an environment where such ideologies can thrive, often under the guise of patriotism and strength.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Really???

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Really???

A Roma settlement in Braća, Serbia, is being evicted. Instead of being offered alternative lodgings, the legal team of Initiative A 11 reports that the Social Work Center has offered some residents of the option to separate their children into alternative care, which harmful and illegal.

This practice contradicts the best interests of the child, who should live with their parents.

News Switzerland

Travellers in Switzerland

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Travellers in Switzerland

The municipality of Wädenswil in the canton of Zurich has opened a stopping place for Jenische and Sinti travelers, following renovations costing nearly half a million Swiss Francs.

Despite this new facility, there remains a significant shortage of stopping places for travelers in the Zurich region. The ongoing need for more designated areas for traveling communities highlights the challenges faced in accommodating their needs.

What also needs to be said, is that these places are limited to Swiss travellers. Sinti and Roma from outside Switzerlands are not welcome!

News Western Europe Portugal

Indicted for Racism

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Indicted for Racism

Rui Cristina, the mayor of Albufeira, faces charges of discrimination and incitement to hatred after controversial remarks about the local Roma community’s access to housing.

The Portuguese Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the charges following an investigation that included searches at the Albufeira town hall, initiated by a complaint from a local council member.

Cristina’s statements, made during a municipal assembly meeting, allegedly portrayed the Roma community as tax evaders, potentially inciting hatred and discrimination against them.

News Eastern Europe News Switzerland Romania

You Don’t Belong Here

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You Don’t Belong Here

“You Don’t Belong Here” won the Golden Leopard for Best Film at the Locarno Film Festival, presenting a moral drama set in small-town Romania, exploring themes of family crisis and societal issues.

The film follows Marius, a surgeon, and his son Ioan, who becomes involved in a violent incident involving racist youths targeting Roma families, leading to a confrontation that impacts their lives.

The narrative examines the complexities of father-son relationships, masculinity, and social violence, using a restrained cinematic style to provoke reflection on personal and societal responsibilities.

Belgium France News Western Europe

Belgian Reportage

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Belgian Reportage

A reportage from the Belgian RTL on Roma camps in France, and on the fact that they do work. They state that Roma are an integral part of the economy of certain regions and an important source of workforce.

It highlights the hypocrisy of chasing them from precarious camps to new ones.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romnja in Romania

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Romnja in Romania

In modern society, the Roma woman represents the central pillar of the family. They are the one who assume multiple roles… wife, mother, grandmother, and for some time now also the role of a perfect professional. At “Roma for Oltenia” we will talk to Ms. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Delia Grigore about the Roma woman and her skills in various fields of activity.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Integration in Montenegro

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Integration in Montenegro

The article discusses a project supported by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro aimed at improving the integration of the Roma and Egyptian communities in Nikšić through various activities, including workshops and training sessions.

A final panel event was held to discuss the support for the full inclusion of the Roma and Egyptian communities, featuring representatives from various sectors, including education and local government.

Key indicators of the project’s success include the active participation of youth from the Roma and Egyptian communities in identifying problems and proposing solutions, as well as improved collaboration between local authorities and NGOs.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Blood and Honour

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Blood and Honour

The organization “Blood and Honour” has been raging in Plovdiv for a long time. They were involved in violent pogroms against Roma as early as 2013 and the activist of “Blood and Honor” Ivaylo Kolev says that the organization has also been leading the torchlight procession against the Neuilly Treaty for at least eight years. They are against the “islamisation” of Europe.

Despite a petition from locals to ban the organization, which has been outlawed in several countries, it continues to operate in Bulgaria.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

A fire in a camp in Western France; an article about a campment in Western France (from a biased source); and a camp being dismantled near Nantes in Western France, promting protests.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma in Serbia

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Roma in Serbia

The Roma community in Serbia is advocating for better living conditions and proposed two methods to improve their situation alongside the country’s development.

Salih Saitović, President of the Democratic Union of Roma in Serbia, emphasized the need for a broader policy on labor value, education, and equal job opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their background.

The YUROM Center and Roma education representatives proposed amendments to education laws to ensure systemic support for Roma students, including affirmative enrollment and prevention of segregation in schools.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Culture

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Culture

Young Roma from Brezje and Jedinščica explored radio and Roma culture in Prekmurje, Slovenia, visiting various cultural centers and participating in media workshops.

The initiative aims to provide opportunities for young Roma to learn about their culture and improve their social skills, fostering interregional connections and self-confidence.

Participants expressed enthusiasm for the experience, highlighting the importance of community engagement and the desire to pursue their goals despite challenges.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Action Plan for Minorities

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Action Plan for Minorities

The inaugural meeting of the Coordination Body for Monitoring the Implementation of the Serbian Action Plan for Minority Rights (2026-2029) took place on August 11, with participation from state officials and minority councils.

Minister Demo Beriša emphasized the importance of collaboration between state institutions and minority councils to enhance the protection and realization of minority rights.

The Coordination Body will monitor the Action Plan’s implementation, analyze activities, address challenges, and propose measures for improvement, aiming for systematic oversight of minority rights.

Austria News Western Europe

Burgenland Roma

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Burgenland Roma

The Roma community has deep historical roots in Austria but continues to face prejudice, exclusion, and discrimination.

The documentary “Roma. A Cinematic Approach” spans from the 1930s to the present, highlighting both the suffering and the vibrant culture of the Roma people, including their music, traditions, and family stories.

The film features contributions from the Roma community, creating an authentic portrayal rather than an external perspective

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma in our City

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Roma in our City

The 14th annual event “Romski svome gradu” in Pirot showcased Romani music, dance, and tradition, organized by the citizens’ association “Ternipe”.

The event attracted many fans of Romani culture, featuring performances by young folklorists from Pirot and guests from Vranje, emphasizing the continuity of Romani culture through new generations.

This year’s program included a humanitarian aspect, raising funds for the education of Romani girls, linking cultural preservation with support for the community’s future.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Police Negligence

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Police Negligence

The Hungarian Ombudsman has initiated an investigation into police negligence regarding the neo-fascist vigilante group Bűnvadászok, which targets Roma communities, urging law enforcement to take action against their unlawful activities.

The Bűnvadászok, led by a member of the extremist Mi Hazánk party, have been accused of breaking into homes and intimidating residents, particularly targeting Roma individuals, while the police have historically failed to intervene.

The new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has promised to end the era of anti-Roma sentiment and police negligence, emphasizing the need for reforms to restore trust between law enforcement and Romani communities.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Halgato

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Halgato

Slovak Romani musician Oto Bunda is preparing a documentary film Halgató: Song of My Soul, dedicated to the traditional Romani musical genre halgato. The filming will take place in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with the participation of Romani musicians. According to Bunda, the film is intended to capture a tradition that is gradually disappearing from Romani communities.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Montenegro and Representation

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Montenegro and Representation

The Council of Youth Initiatives in Montenegro urges authorities to prioritize authentic political representation for the Roma community in electoral reforms, aiming for a representative in the Montenegrin Assembly.

The EU’s annual report highlights the vulnerable status of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro, who face discrimination and hate crimes.

The Council emphasizes that authentic representation would enhance political participation and trust in institutions, and they propose a legal mechanism to ensure this representation based on electoral success.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Maribor Roma

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Maribor Roma

The article features Murim Baftiarov, an activist working to improve the position of the Roma community in Maribor, emphasizing the importance of education, support, and collaboration with the wider society.

Since 2023, he has been involved with the Roma association ‘Sprememba Takoj’, which aims to bridge the gap between the Roma and Slovenian communities and promote positive changes for Roma in Maribor.

He shares his personal educational journey and highlights the need for professional assistance to enhance stability and conditions within the Roma community.

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