The Czech government has issued a set of guidelines on how to identify Roma children in schools. These are: Appearance, Ancestry, Typical surnames, speaking Romanes, having a parent who is supported by a state program aimed at Roma, Cultural practises, and Place of residence.
You wonder …
A new exhibition in Prague highlights the resistance of over 1,400 Roma fighters against Nazi occupation during World War II, a largely overlooked aspect of Czech and Slovak history.
The exhibition aims to change the narrative around Roma, showcasing them not only as victims of the Holocaust but also as heroes who fought against the Nazis.
Despite the significance of this history, it remains under-researched, and many Roma still hesitate to publicly identify as such due to historical trauma and ongoing discrimination.
The article discusses the challenges faced by mixed couples, particularly between Romani and Czech individuals, when their families reject their relationships due to cultural differences.
It highlights the emotional turmoil of choosing between love and family, and the impact of such decisions on children born from these unions.
The author shares personal experiences of navigating these cultural divides and emphasizes the importance of love and acceptance within families, regardless of ethnic backgrounds.
The Czech Facebook group “Nerds for Themselves” (Nerdi sobě) has become a platform for discussing retro games but has also revealed pervasive antigypsyism and racism in the Czech Republic.
A post featuring a 1990s video game called “Matiční Street” promotes violence against Roma, where players score points by killing Roma characters depicted in a racist manner.
Despite the group’s large membership, there has been no condemnation of the racist content, highlighting a troubling acceptance of racism within Czech society.
The recent elections in the Czech Republic saw the election of 37 Roma from 315 Roma candidates.
The Czech Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs discussed priorities including education, employment, anti-discrimination efforts, and increased representation of Roma in government and law enforcement.
Key issues addressed included the ongoing European Commission proceedings regarding the education of Romani children and the socioeconomic challenges faced by the Roma community.
New council member Martin Mata emphasized the need for practical solutions to youth unemployment and the importance of connecting education with job opportunities for Roma youth.
The psychological drama “33 Steps” is inspired by the true story of Milan Daniel, a Rom who, following a brutal attack, lives in a state of constant fear and danger, haunted by nightmares and visions. This trauma also affects his family, particularly his son, Mili. Although the film is based on real events, the original directorial approach of the debutant husband-and-wife team, the Domčeks, masterfully blurs the line between documentary and fiction.
The Czech Culture Ministry plans to hold a competitive selection process for the new director of the Museum of Romani Culture, with hopes that a Roma person will be appointed.
A petition has been initiated calling for a transparent selection process that includes representatives from the Roma community and civil society.
The current interim director, Karolina Spielmannová, is tasked with ensuring the museum’s continuity following the resignation of the previous director, Jana Horváthová.
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.
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.
A petition with 129 signatures is urging the Czech Culture Ministry to expedite the selection process for a new director of the Museum of Romani Culture after the resignation of Jana Horváthovár, who led the museum for 23 years.
Jiří Polák, chair of the City of Brno’s Roma Council, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the museum’s Romani identity and an open selection process for its new leadership.
The Culture Ministry has temporarily appointed Karolina Spielmannová as the acting director and aims to find a strong leader for the museum, while also planning to redefine the oversight board’s structure.
Roma TV, a Czech television channel aimed at the Romani audience, has ceased broadcasting less than a year after its launch due to low viewership during the summer months.
Despite its ambition to cater to Romani culture and provide original programming, the channel struggled to meet viewer demands for more entertainment content, leading to its closure.
The channel’s license remains valid until 2036, and there are hopes among supporters, including prominent Romani figures, for its potential revival in the future.
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.
Jana Horváthová has resigned as director of the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno, citing exhaustion and a desire to focus on academic work after leading the museum since 2003.
Karolína Spilmannová will take over as acting director from September 1, ensuring continuity in leadership and operations at the museum.
The Ministry of Culture plans to redefine the museum’s Advisory Board and is seeking a strong permanent director to lead the institution’s future development.
What a pitty, and congratulation for the great work.
Edita Stejskalová, Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs, addressed the ongoing discrimination and violence against Roma children during a commemorative gathering at the former g*psy camp in Hodonín u Kunštátu, marking 83 years since the transport of Roma to Auschwitz.
She highlighted recent incidents of violence and racism against Roma children, emphasizing that hatred towards them is not just a historical issue but a current reality.
Stejskalová called for awareness and action against both overt and systemic discrimination, particularly in housing and education, stressing that no child should suffer due to their ethnicity.
A commemorative ceremony was held on August 20, 2025, at the Hodonín u Kunštátu Memorial to honor the Roma and Sinti victims of the Holocaust, particularly those deported to Auschwitz in 1943.
The event will feature speeches from descendants of survivors and officials, and will include floral offerings and prayers at the memorial and mass grave site.
The Hodonín concentration camp, operational from 1942 to 1943, primarily held Roma families and is a significant site for remembering the genocide against the Roma and Sinti during World War II.
The podcast SODAcast discusses a recent racist attack on two Roma, highlighting the court’s decision to sentence the attacker to two years in prison, which is not yet final as the defendant has appealed.
The hosts criticize the lack of media coverage on the case, particularly from public broadcasters, and emphasize the importance of such cases for building trust among Roma communities in state institutions.
The podcast also addresses issues of long-term segregation of Roma children in schools, the recent suspension of Roma TV due to low viewership, and the ongoing discussions about the influence of the Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs.
The article discusses the fate of Roma TV in the Czech Republic, which aimed to provide a platform for Romani culture and personalities through IPTV operators, broadcasting 10 hours daily.
The programming included shows featuring Romani figures, cooking segments, music programs, and documentaries, but faced challenges in acquiring films and competitions due to high costs.
Roma TV was funded solely through donations, not public funds, and despite its closure, there is hope for its return as it provided opportunities for many Romani individuals.
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.
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.
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