Author Archives: Roma Foundation

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Róbert Hamburgbadžo

Published by:

Róbert Hamburgbadžo

Róbert Hamburgbadžo discusses his journey from a poor Roma background to becoming a journalist, emphasizing the challenges of Romani journalism in Slovakia.

He highlights the lack of support for Romani communities in Spišský Hrhov, despite it being cited as a model for integration.

Hamburgbadžo aims to mentor future journalists and establish a scholarship program for Romani students, while also expressing a desire to create a documentary that authentically represents Romani life.

News Eastern Europe Serbia Slovenia

So Vakeres?

Published by:

So Vakeres?

The Romani show “So vakeres – Kaj govoriš?” airs twice a month and is produced by Romani journalists in Serbia.

Approximately 500,000 Roma live unofficially in Serbia, striving for greater equality through various organizations and media.

The international project “Roma Soul Food” preserves Romani memories and stories through culinary traditions, including a cooking competition for traditional Romani dishes, which symbolizes the activation and integration of Roma into society.

News Eastern Europe Romania Serbia

Cultural Centre

Published by:

Cultural Centre

A new cultural center dedicated to Romani culture, language, and traditions was inaugurated in Belgrade, Serbia, attended by Dorin Cioabă, president of one of the current three International Romani Union.

The Romani Cultural Center aims to serve as a meeting point for the community, promoting education, dialogue, and the preservation of Romani identity.

Cioabă emphasized the importance of collaboration among Romani organizations, public institutions, and civil society to maintain Romani culture and traditions.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Concert

Published by:

Concert

A concert celebrating World Romani Language Day on November 5, will feature the band Amala, led by composer Imer Traja Brizani, showcasing their new album ‘Amala 30’.

The performance will include original compositions and timeless Romani classics, divided into acoustic and electric segments, featuring various instruments and a vocal section.

Special guest Oto Pestner will join the concert alongside international soloists, aiming to create a transcultural bridge and promote coexistence among nations.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Cluj and Roma

Published by:

Cluj and Roma

Local NGOs in Cluj, particularly TAC.social, criticize a protest against the relocation of Roma families from Pata Rât, emphasizing the need for discussions based on the realities of the community.

The protest, organized by the Identitarian Community Association of Romania, attracted only about 12 participants and was marked by inflammatory rhetoric against the Roma community.

TAC.social calls for greater awareness and understanding of the living conditions in Pata Rât, inviting people to engage directly with the community rather than relying on prejudiced narratives.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Roma Leaders

Published by:

Roma Leaders

The Third Summit of Roma Leaders in Sofia focuses on unity, leadership, and a European future, organized by the United Roma Communities and the International Roma Union.

Leaders emphasize the need to move beyond merely identifying problems faced by the Roma community and instead propose solutions, seeking collaboration with Bulgarian institutions.

A declaration was presented at the forum advocating for equality, dignity, and active participation of the Roma community in society, highlighting the importance of dialogue and respect for differences.

  • Ромски лидери от различни държави се събраха в София на среща под надслов „Единство, лидерство и европейско бъдеще“. In: BTA. 09.2026. https://www.bta.bg/bg/videos/39718
Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Tensions

Published by:

Tensions

In the village of Zidarovo, Bulgaria, a small group of local Roma is accused of vandalism and public disorder, raising concerns about ethnic tensions in the community. Mayor Hristo Bardukov shared video evidence of the incidents, highlighting the aggressive behavior and the potential for escalating ethnic conflict.

Despite police intervention, the perpetrators were reportedly released quickly, prompting Bardukov to question the effectiveness of law enforcement and the need for community awareness.

Bad…

News Eastern Europe Poland

Auschwitz Conference

Published by:

Auschwitz Conference

An international conference titled “Roma and Sinti – Between Historical Memory and Modernity” will take place on November 24-25 in Auschwitz, organized by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Council of Europe.

The conference aims to reflect on the historical memory of the Roma and Sinti genocide during World War II and its impact on contemporary identity and culture.

Participants will include educators and museum professionals, with discussions on the persecution of Roma and Sinti, and workshops on teaching without perpetuating stereotypes.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Cluj and Roma

Published by:

Cluj and Roma

Local councilor Dragoș Roșianu criticized fellow councilor Daniel Meze for generalizing about relocated Roma families after a fire incident, urging him to verify facts directly with affected families.

The fire, which affected 16 apartments, was attributed to an electrical issue, not the ethnicity of the residents, highlighting the need for responsible administration and fact-based discussions.

Roșianu emphasized the importance of integration and support for Roma families, rejecting stigmatization and calling for constructive dialogue to address any issues within the community.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma in Greece

Published by:

Roma in Greece

A meeting was held between Thessaly’s regional governor, Dimitris Koureta, and representatives of the Roma community to discuss issues related to education, health, employment, and housing.

Key challenges faced by Roma communities in Thessaly were addressed, with a focus on school dropout rates, access to health services, and the need for targeted interventions.

The governor emphasized the importance of dialogue and collaboration with Roma representatives to develop specific proposals for funding and improve living conditions for Roma families in the region.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Barber Story

Published by:

Barber Story

Mihácsi Patrik, a Roma barber shop owner in Győr, refuses to be seen as a victim and is proud of his heritage, actively helping disadvantaged children through his business.

His barbershop was vandalized with a racist slur, prompting local support from the Jojó Box Club, which offered solidarity and a voucher to the shop.

Patrik emphasizes the importance of challenging stereotypes about Roma people and believes in the value of character over ethnicity, showcasing positive examples through his work and community involvement.

News Western Europe Spain

Shooting

Published by:

Shooting

A shooting incident in Valencia involving rival Roma families resulted in one death and three injuries, with four men arrested. The violence escalated from a family argument between two young cousins, leading to a brawl and gunfight in the streets.

The victim, shot multiple times, died shortly after being hospitalized, while one of the arrested men was also injured in the incident.

You can only wonder at the use of sentences such as “clans of Roma gypsy origin”. They really don’t know what they are talking about …

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Czech Consul Torak

Published by:

Czech Consul Torak

Petr Torák, Czech Honorary Consul and director of the British NGO COMPAS says that “If Roma are not integrated and segregation deepens, it will have a massive impact on how the majority society perceives them.” “When I was a teenager in the Czech Republic, I wanted to show everyone that, even though I am Roma, I could be just as capable as anyone else,” he recalls.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenian Project

Published by:

Slovenian Project

The project has involved over 200 Roma individuals from three municipalities, focusing on individual and family counseling, educational support for children and youth, and workshops to promote education and social inclusion.

Concrete activities have been implemented to improve living conditions, including the installation of raised garden beds to encourage gardening and healthy eating, along with community engagement.

The project emphasizes understanding Roma culture, history, and language, and aims to strengthen trust and social inclusion between the Roma community and the local environment.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Arranged Marriages

Published by:

Arranged Marriages

Dorin Cioabă, a representative of the Roma community, expressed outrage over a new Romanian law that could imprison parents who arrange marriages for minors.

He argues that the law fails to distinguish between forced marriages and consensual relationships among adolescents, which could lead to unnecessary legal consequences.

The law, recently passed by the Romanian Parliament, imposes prison sentences of 2 to 7 years for forced marriages involving minors under 16, aiming to protect young individuals from coercion.

Greece News Western Europe

Early Marriages

Published by:

Early Marriages

Rena Dourou, head of SYRIZA-PS, labeled early marriages among Roma women as a form of gender-based violence during a presentation of a European project aimed at addressing this issue.

She emphasized the dual struggle for bodily autonomy and a dignified life faced by young Roma women, criticizing the societal acceptance of early marriages as a taboo that hinders their dreams.

Dourou highlighted the importance of local government in combating exclusion and mentioned the initiatives taken by the Attica region against anti-Roma sentiment, while honoring the late Deputy Regional Governor for his contributions to Roma solidarity.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

Published by:

French Chronicle …

An interesting article highlighting the fact that Roma from Romania actually work, and save money to build a house back in Romania. The rest is more like the usual. Asking where Roma expelled from a camp went – obviously in another camp; an article of Breizh Info claiming that 40% of delicts are done by migrants – claiming the new prefect stated it (but they do not mention it); a vot4er contesting the oucome of the vote for mayor on the basis that many registered voters (read Roma) did not fulfill the actual requirements; an article on Romanes and its influence on French (not really brilliant); and finally an exhibition in Nantes.

France News Western Europe

Rivesaltes

Published by:

Rivesaltes

Rivesaltes, a town in Roussillon, is home to a former military camp that served as an internment site during World War II for Spanish refugees, Jews, and Roma, highlighting multiple narratives of exile and forced displacement. From there many were deported to extermination camps.

The Rivesaltes Memorial emphasizes the importance of individual stories over mere statistics, providing a somber reflection on the past while acknowledging the town’s rich historical context dating back to 923.

The article also notes a historical riot in 1873, illustrating Rivesaltes’ long-standing political and social tensions, and suggests that visitors should appreciate both the memorial and the town’s broader historical significance.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

A Success Story

Published by:

A Success Story

Mariana reflects on her childhood in a close-knit community and the discrimination she faced as a Romni when seeking work after her education.

After moving to the Czech Republic, she found better job opportunities and a more positive work environment compared to Slovakia, but faced challenges upon returning home to care for her mother.

Mariana emphasizes the need for support and education for Romani children in settlements to help them envision a different life and avoid being stuck.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN