Author Archives: Roma Foundation

News Eastern Europe Poland

Łódź

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Łódź

A memorial ceremony was held at the Romani Forge in Łódź to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Romani and Sinti Genocide during the Holocaust, recalling the tragic fate of over 5,000 Romani and Sinti prisoners held in a Nazi camp in 1941.

The event highlighted the importance of remembering the extermination of Romani people during WWII, and the ongoing need for education and awareness to prevent such atrocities from happening again.

Local officials emphasized the horrific conditions in the Litzmannstadt Ghetto and the subsequent deportation and murder of survivors in extermination camps, urging reflection on the lessons learned from this dark chapter in history.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova Commemoration

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Moldova Commemoration

A memorial plaque was inaugurated on August 3rd at the Visterniceni train station in Chișinău to commemorate the Roma deported during World War II, coinciding with the European Day of Commemoration of the Roma Holocaust.

Vasile Drangoi shared his family’s tragic story of deportation, highlighting the suffering and loss experienced by the Roma community during this period.

The Moldovan authorities are working on a national plan to promote awareness of the Roma Holocaust, including addressing anti-Roma sentiment in educational programs.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Uštica

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Uštica

The International Day of Remembrance of Romani Victims of Genocide, Samudaripen, was commemorated at the Romani memorial cemetery in Uštica, Croatia, emphasizing the importance of remembering the suffering of Roma during World War II as part of European collective memory.

The commemoration included the opening of the ‘Amare, amale’ Peace and Friendship Park, dedicated to those who helped persecuted Roma, and highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Roma in education, employment, and public services.

Officials stressed that remembrance must extend beyond annual commemorations to include education and the fight against discrimination, warning that indifference can lead to tragedy, and that the memory of Samudaripen is a shared responsibility of Croatian and European history.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Auschwitz

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Auschwitz

Polish President Karol Nawrocki emphasized the importance of remembering the the Roma Genocide in the Holocaust during the 82nd anniversary of the liquidation of the Romani camp in Birkenau, condemning all forms of racism and extremism.

Survivors and community leaders called for the inclusion of Romani history in European school curricula to combat rising anti-Romani sentiment and discrimination.

The event highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by Romani people in Europe, including discrimination in education, healthcare, and employment, while reaffirming Poland’s commitment to remembering the victims of the Romani genocide.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Jasenovac / Uštice

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Jasenovac / Uštice

The International Day of Remembrance of the Romani Victims of Genocide (Samudaripen) was commemorated in Uštica near Jasenovac, with the opening of the ‘Amare, amale’ Peace and Friendship Park for Roma.

Minister of Labor Alen Ružić emphasized Croatia’s support for the culture of remembrance, stating that the suffering of the Roma must never be forgotten as it is essential for a society of tolerance and equality.

MP Veljko Kajtazi reminded attendees of the suffering of Roma during World War II and the importance of remembrance as a responsibility of the living.

Austria News Western Europe

Lackenbach

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Lackenbach

Approximately 4,000 Roma and Sinti were deported from the Lackenbach detention camp during the Nazi era, with only a few hundred surviving, most of whom were murdered.

The commemoration event emphasizes the importance of remembering these atrocities, which occurred within local communities, and the need to confront the past to ensure a peaceful future.

Political leaders stress the necessity of protecting minority rights and combating hate and discrimination as part of honoring the memory of the victims.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Liberec

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Liberec

The City of Liberec commemorated Romani and Sinti victims of Nazi persecution by flying the Romani flag and emphasizing the importance of tolerance and respect in society.

The Liberec Regional Authority and local officials met with Romani community representatives to honor historical memory and promote dialogue against hate and racism.

The article highlights the tragic history of the Romani and Sinti during the Holocaust, including their deportation and murder in concentration camps, and calls for ongoing recognition and commemoration of this genocide.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Commemoration in Slovakia

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Commemoration in Slovakia

The Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Roma Holocaust emphasizes the importance of remembering historical events that should not be forgotten and should be included in history education.

The Ministry of Education in Slovakia highlighted that remembering the Roma Holocaust is a sign of respect for the victims and contributes to preserving historical memory, promoting a society based on respect and understanding.

The commemoration marks the events of August 2-3, 1944, when nearly 3,000 Roma were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau, with an estimated half a million European Roma and Sinti killed during World War II, and around 1,000 Roma victims in Slovakia alone.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Commemoration in Serbia

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Commemoration in Serbia

The Topovske Šupe camp was the first concentration camp for Jews and Roma in occupied Belgrade during World War II, where 5,000 Jews and 1,500 Roma perished.

Krinka Vidaković Petrov, director of the Staro Sajmište Memorial Center, emphasized the need for an inclusive culture of remembrance, advocating for a memorial plaque for Roma victims alongside the existing one for Jews.

Igor Jovanović, deputy president of the Belgrade City Assembly, highlighted the significance of August 2 as a day to remember the suffering of the Roma people during the war, as recognized by the European Parliament in 2015.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Commemoration in Hungary

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Commemoration in Hungary

A memorial event for the Roma Holocaust was held in Hódmezővásárhely, attended by government, municipal, religious, and civil representatives, emphasizing the importance of combating hate and exclusion today.

Minister Zoltán Tarr highlighted the need to acknowledge past wrongs and promote social reconciliation during his speech.

Mayor Péter Márki-Zay noted that Hódmezővásárhely was the first city in Hungary to publicly commemorate the victims of the Roma Holocaust, warning that genocides result from long-term exclusionary processes.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation

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Relocation

Several more articles on the relocation of Slovak Roma to Hungary.

The Hungarian Ministry of Interior is investigating the relocation of Roma families from the Lubina settlement in Košice to Szalonna, focusing on the legality and organization of the real estate transactions involved.

Concerns from Szalonna residents regarding safety are being taken seriously, and the ministry plans to collaborate with Slovak authorities to clarify the situation.

The mayoral candidate for Košice, Miroslav Sabol, has filed a criminal complaint regarding the eviction of the illegal Lubina settlement, while the local mayor insists the process was not politically motivated and was organized through the non-profit sector.

Europe

August 2nd.

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August 2nd.

The European Holocaust Memorial Day for Roma and Sinti is officially observed on August 2, recognizing the genocide of approximately 500,000 Roma during the Nazi regime, with various countries in Central and Southeastern Europe participating in memorial events.

Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have established official commemorations, while other countries like Bulgaria and Serbia observe the day informally or do not recognize it officially.

The memorial events often address not only historical atrocities but also contemporary issues of anti-Roma sentiment and discrimination in these regions.

Germany News Americas News Western Europe

Memory

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Memory

Frieda Daniels, a 93-year-old former high-wire artist, shares her experiences during the genocide at the time of the Holocaust to educate younger generations about the atrocities faced by the Sinti and Roma community.

She and her family were persecuted by the Nazis, with an estimated 500,000 Sinti and Roma murdered during the genocide.

Now living in California, Frieda continues to travel and speak about her past, recently reflecting on her experiences during a visit to an exhibition in Heidelberg, Germany.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Roma, History, and Croatia

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Roma, History, and Croatia

Several articles in the Croatian press about Roma history and the fact that “cigany” is a pejorative term. Some of the historical facts are to be debated … There have been quite a few ammends to Wikipedia that warrant some review.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia: Demolition

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Slovenia: Demolition

Amnesty International Slovenia and the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy accuse the Novo Mesto municipality of failing to provide housing after the demolition of a woman’s home in a Roma settlement, citing violations of human rights and legal procedures. The municipality is enforcing demolition orders on illegal constructions in a Roma settlement, leading to protests from the Roma community.

It defends its actions, stating it was obligated to enforce a legal decision regarding the illegal structure and denies any wrongdoing regarding the individual’s rights.

A representative of the Roma community expresses frustration over the lack of support from the municipality, highlighting ongoing issues with access to basic utilities and the need for better living conditions. Roma leaders criticize the head of the Roma Association for inaction and demand legal protection and alternative housing for affected residents.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma in Greece

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Roma in Greece

Many members of the Roma community in Greece live on the margins of society, facing poverty, poor housing conditions, and limited access to education and healthcare.

Roma settlements are often located on city outskirts, lacking proper infrastructure and basic utilities, leading to high unemployment and social exclusion.

Despite government programs aimed at better integration, progress is slow due to deeply rooted barriers, including low education rates and widespread discrimination against the Roma.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Filipovtsi

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Filipovtsi

The Roma neighbourhood of Filipovtsi in Sofia, Bulgaria, saw the destruction of several buldings (deemed illegal) and resulted in a plethora of articles in the Bulgarian press.

25 “illegal” agricultural structures were demolished by the municipality, leading to the removal of over 40 horses, which caused tension between residents and journalists.

Apparently some journalists were attacked and injured.

Local authorities emphasized that the operation targeted only illegal structures on private land and would not affect residential buildings.

Roma residents expressed concern over the removal of the horses, which they rely on for income, and dissatisfaction with the cleanup of debris left after the demolition.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Education

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Education

Gabriela Gáborová, a Roma mayor in Slovakia, emphasizes the importance of education for Roma children and has prioritized building a kindergarten in her village, Vtáčkovce, while addressing illegal housing issues.

She faces discrimination as a Roma woman in her role, having received extremist threats since taking office, but remains committed to her work and believes in judging individuals by their actions rather than their ethnicity or gender.

Gáborová highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal constructions and land ownership disputes in her community, advocating for legal housing solutions and integration of Roma families into society.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Continued

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Relocation – Continued

Two Roma families from Košice, Slovakia, moved to Szalonna, Hungary, sparking discussions about potential organized resettlement, although officials deny any mass relocation plans.

Local authorities in both Košice and Szalonna have stated that the families moved voluntarily and that no program exists to facilitate the relocation of disadvantaged residents to Hungary.

The situation has led to emergency meetings in Szalonna to pass a regulation aimed at responsible property sales and ensuring new residents respect local community values.

The Slovak government is investigating claims regarding the relocation of Roma families from a settlement in Košice to Hungary, with officials planning to meet affected families for further information.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia Memorial

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Slovenia Memorial

The Maribor synagogue held a memorial event for the International Day of Remembrance of the Roma and Sinti genocide, emphasizing the need to remember and warn against rising intolerance in Europe.

Jožek Horvat Muc highlighted that the genocide, which claimed around half a million Romani lives during WWII, is often overlooked in history, and that current discrimination and hate speech against Roma persist in many European countries.

Slovenian officials acknowledged progress in integrating the Romani community but stressed the need for ongoing dialogue and responsibility to combat prejudice and protect human rights.

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