Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Vojvodina Music

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Vojvodina Music

The event “Days of Roma Music” was organized by the Roma Cultural Center in Pančevo to promote and preserve the rich musical heritage of the Roma minority.

The event featured performances by talented children from Vojvodina, highlighting the importance of passing on traditional Roma music to younger generations.

Officials emphasized the significance of such events in fostering cultural diversity and mutual respect, with hopes that it will become a key cultural event in Vojvodina.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Education in Slovenia

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Education in Slovenia

Eleven Roma students from the Kher šu beši Day Center visited the mayor of Trebnje, Mateja Povhe, after regularly attending school and center activities. The mayor emphasized the importance of education for achieving their dreams and encouraged the children to continue attending school for better opportunities.

The municipality of Trebnje is actively promoting the inclusion of Roma children in education, recognizing it as essential for their personal development and successful integration into society.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Auschwitz Commemoration

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Auschwitz Commemoration

The 82nd anniversary of the liquidation of the so-called Gypsy camp at Auschwitz will be commemorated on August 2, 2024, with events organized by the Center for History and Culture of the Roma in Oświęcim. During World War II, approximately 500,000 Roma and Sinti were murdered by the Nazis, with many being exterminated at Auschwitz.

August 2 is recognized in Poland as the Day of Remembrance for the Roma Genocide and is observed in the EU as the European Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust of Roma and Sinti.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Sterilisation

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Sterilisation

Ivan Ostrochovský’s film “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” explores the historical sterilization of Romnja in 1980s Czechoslovakia through the lens of a white doctor and a Romani nurse.

The protagonist, Dr. Ingrid, initially views sterilization as optional but gradually recognizes the coercive nature of the medical practices involved, influenced by her friendship with nurse Agáta.

The film, which premiered at the Karlovy Vary festival, combines a dark visual style with a haunting score, highlighting the emotional journey of its characters amidst a backdrop of systemic eugenics

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Brawl in Bulgaria

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Brawl in Bulgaria

Many articles in the Bulgarian press about a fight between two Roma families in a Roma neighbourhood of Asenovgrad which involved up to 250 people, and left several wounded, including a police officer.

This is bad for all.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Prejudice in Serbia

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Prejudice in Serbia

Zlata Petrović, a Serbian singer, openly discussed her Romani heritage and how she concealed it from her son until he was eight years old due to societal prejudices.

She emphasized the importance of being honest with friends and taught her son that he should not associate with those who judge him for his background.

Zlata revealed personal details about her family, including her mixed heritage and her late discovery of her father’s identity, while also planning for her family’s future by purchasing a new property.

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

War and Roma

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War and Roma

The article discusses the impact of war on the Roma community in Munkács, Ukraine, highlighting how traditional gender roles have shifted, with women becoming breadwinners while men face conscription.

The Romodrom integration center provides support for Roma children, offering education and meals, as many families struggle with poverty and lack of access to basic services like water. The article also addresses the stigma faced by the Roma community, including discrimination and stereotypes, while emphasizing the resilience and efforts of individuals to improve their circumstances.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Education in Slovenia

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Education in Slovenia

Borut Rončević, a sociology professor at the university of Novo Mesto and current minister of Eudcation in the Slovenian government, speaks about his plans and views. Specifically about Roma, he says there is a need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by Roma children in schools, emphasizing collaboration across various sectors including education, social policy, and local communities. He highlights the importance of accountability among parents, teachers, and the state in ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, achieve basic educational standards. He insists on the equal application of laws for school attendance, something that is being reproached to Roma regularly.

What he did not discuss is the profound issues of exclusion and racism faced by Roma in the region.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Action Plan Serbia

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Action Plan Serbia

The Serbian government has established a Coordination Body to monitor the implementation of the Action Plan for minority rights for 2026-2029, aiming for better coordination among institutions.

Despite the positive signal of this initiative, past experiences suggest that creating new bodies does not guarantee significant improvements for minority communities.

The success of the Coordination Body will depend on its ability to translate decisions into concrete actions that improve education, employment, and reduce discrimination for minorities, particularly the Roma community.

We do have some doubts …

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Action Plan Montenegro

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Action Plan Montenegro

The Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy to improve the quality of life for Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro (2026-2027) aims to enhance their social standing through specific measures in education, employment, health care, and social protection.

Key initiatives include increasing educational access, job training programs, and the establishment of mediators to facilitate communication between communities and institutions.

The plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration among government bodies, local authorities, and civil society to achieve tangible results in improving the living conditions and rights of the Roma and Egyptian communities.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Artur Cerari

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Artur Cerari

Artur Cerari, the leader of the Roma community in Soroca, Moldova, passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 65. He succeeded his father, Mircea Cerari, who was a prominent figure in the Roma community during the Soviet era.

Cerari was known for mediating internal disputes and representing the Roma community in official matters, focusing on issues like economic migration and educational integration.

Te avel I phuv lohi I o drom angla leste puterdo.

News Eastern Europe Russia

Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya

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Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya

Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya, a renowned People’s Artist of Russia, passed away in Moscow at the age of 83, as reported by the Romani theater “Roman”.

She was celebrated for her versatility in acting, successfully portraying both dramatic and character roles throughout her career.

Zhemchuzhnaya joined the Roman Theater in 1964 and had over 20 film roles, including notable works like “Eternal Call” and “Carnival.”

Te javel i phuv lokhi.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Hungarian Speakers in Slovakia

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Hungarian Speakers in Slovakia

The Slovak Hungarian Educational Atlas presents statistical data from 2010 to 2024, highlighting demographic changes and the role of Hungarian-speaking Roma children in sustaining Hungarian schools in Southern Slovakia.

The analysis reveals a decline in student numbers in rural areas while urban schools are growing, with significant differences between eastern and western regions, particularly due to the presence of Hungarian-speaking Roma.

Despite a slight increase in preschool enrollment, a notable percentage of children transition to Slovak schools, indicating a complex educational landscape where Hungarian schools face challenges in student performance compared to Slovak institutions.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma in Romania

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Roma in Romania

This Hungarian article discusses the challenges faced by the Roma community in Romania, highlighting the negative connotations associated with the term “cigány” (Gypsy) and the lack of unity among different Roma groups. Orsolya Csata, president of the Right Association, shares her efforts to create a social sewing workshop aimed at providing skills and employment opportunities for Roma children and adults.

The article emphasizes the need for systemic change and support for the Roma community, criticizing the lack of action from authorities and the misuse of EU funds intended for social programs.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria and Begging

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Bulgaria and Begging

Plovdiv influencer Tihomov surprised his followers with an emotional video featuring two Roma children who often beg in the city. One child, 11-year-old Petko, expressed his desire to become a police officer and shared that he begs voluntarily while his parents work.

The children emphasized the importance of not stealing, highlighting a moral lesson during their conversation with the influencer.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Legal Aid

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Legal Aid

The Hungarian National Roma Self-Government (MROÖ) has launched a legal aid and information network to support Roma communities, with initial offices in Budapest, Miskolc, and Pécs. MROÖ President Dancs Mihály emphasized the importance of providing legal assistance to Roma individuals facing discrimination and legal issues, marking the initiative as a significant milestone.

The initiative aims to address historical injustices and ensure that Roma communities are not left without support in legal matters, with funding coming from Dancs’s own salary and expenses.

One has to note that this is in parallel to the European Roma Right Centre, located in Budapest, which has been active for decades.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Discrimination in Montenegro

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Discrimination in Montenegro

Roma in Montenegro face ongoing challenges, including housing conditions, education access, employment opportunities, and societal prejudices.

Activist Shejla Pepić highlights the discrimination faced by women in the Roma community and emphasizes the importance of education and activism.

Minister Fatmir Đeka notes improvements in the status of the Roma population, including reduced unemployment rates and increased educational enrollment among Roma children.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria and Roma

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Bulgaria and Roma

Bulgarian Justice Minister Nikolai Naydenov presented the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups’ rights to Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, during his visit to Sofia.

Key topics discussed included the rights of elderly individuals in institutions and the rights of Roma people regarding the removal of illegal structures that serve as their homes, in line with European Court of Human Rights practices.

The Bulgarian government has implemented measures such as criminal liability for unlicensed social care homes and has made progress in legal protections against poor conditions in social institutions, as noted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Scholarships

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Scholarships

The ROMEA scholarship program has long helped young Roma men and women overcome financial obstacles associated with studies. In addition to scholarships, it also offers them mentoring, educational activities and the opportunity to meet other students regularly.

The annual scholarship is 15,000 crowns (620 euros) for high school students, 21,000 crowns (870 euros) for students of higher vocational schools and 26,000 crowns (1075 euros) for university students. The support is intended primarily for expenses related to studies, such as textbooks, school supplies, travel, tuition, courses or other costs that may be an obstacle for students and their families in continuing their education.

Since 2016, the program has awarded 805 scholarships worth a total of almost 14 million crowns and supported hundreds of students from all over the Czech Republic.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

ARA Fest

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ARA Fest

From Thursday, July 2 to Saturday, July 4, Pilsen will become the venue for the jubilee 10th year of the multi-genre art festival of Roma culture ARA FEST. The program will offer concerts, theater, an exhibition, community activities for children and youth and a festival tram with live music.

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