News Eastern Europe – rroma.org https://rroma.org Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:33:12 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://rroma.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-greenwheel_large-1-32x32.png News Eastern Europe – rroma.org https://rroma.org 32 32 Roma Projects https://rroma.org/roma-projects/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roma-projects Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:33:12 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35635 In 2022, €335,845,065 was spent on the action plan for the Strategy for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation of Roma by 2030, according to a monitoring report.

Out of 159 planned activities for 2025, only 10 were completed, while 125 were in progress, 22 were being prepared, and 2 were deemed unfulfilled, particularly in education.

The report will be presented to a working group for monitoring and evaluating the Strategy after government discussion.

]]> Racism? https://rroma.org/racism-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=racism-2 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:32:12 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35632 Jozef Božik, the chairman of the Association of Towns and Villages of Slovakia (ZMOS), is facing backlash after being accused of insulting the Roma community by referring to them as “Indians.”

The mayor of Zámutov, who initiated the controversy, is demanding Božik’s resignation, which he firmly rejects.

Božik claims that the accusation is taken out of context and has led to severe personal attacks against him and his family.

]]> Roma in Montenegro https://rroma.org/roma-in-montenegro-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roma-in-montenegro-3 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:31:19 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35629 The Roma Council of Montenegro warns against discussing European values and the rule of law while ignoring the long-standing discrimination of Roma in political representation. They call on lawmakers to address the electoral census for the Roma community and rectify injustices in political representation.

The Council emphasizes that if constitutional changes proceed without addressing these issues, it undermines the principles of equality and non-discrimination in Montenegro.

]]> Czech Elections https://rroma.org/czech-elections-6/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=czech-elections-6 Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:45:10 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35614 The recent elections in the Czech Republic saw the election of 37 Roma from 315 Roma candidates.

]]> Bűnvadászok https://rroma.org/bunvadaszok/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bunvadaszok Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:44:24 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35611 The activities of the ‘Bűnvadászok’ (Crime Hunters) instill fear in the Roma community and shift public sentiment against them, as warned by the deputy commissioner for national minorities. Complaints have been filed regarding alleged unlawful evictions and the content shared by the ‘Bűnvadászok’ on their YouTube channel, with the police dismissing a related report.

The article highlights broader issues, including the treatment of Roma individuals in healthcare and education, emphasizing a lack of adequate representation and understanding of their social situation in educational materials.

]]> Brawl in Timisoara https://rroma.org/brawl-in-timisoara/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brawl-in-timisoara Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:43:29 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35608 A conflict involving several Roma men occurred in Timișoara, leading to police intervention after a neighbor called emergency services. Four men aged between 18 and 56 were fined a total of 8,000 lei for their involvement in the disturbance, which included public disorder and insults.

Authorities emphasized the importance of social coexistence and peaceful conflict resolution for public safety.

]]> Roma Culture https://rroma.org/roma-culture-6/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roma-culture-6 Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:42:39 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35605 A meeting was held between 20 young Roma from Moldova and representatives of the Ministry of Education to discuss promoting Roma cultural and linguistic identity, as well as expanding access to education. Key topics included the introduction of a subject on Roma history and culture in schools, teacher training, and providing educational materials, along with the possibility of teaching the Romani language as a mother tongue.

The Ministry, in collaboration with European institutions, aims to ensure equal educational opportunities for Roma children and has planned to offer 120 merit scholarships for the academic year 2026-2027.

]]> Stanisław Opocki https://rroma.org/stanislaw-opocki/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stanislaw-opocki Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:53:45 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35589 Father Stanisław Opocki, a prominent priest and national pastor for the Romani community in Poland, died in a car accident on October 7, 2026, at the age of 73.

He dedicated much of his life to serving the Romani community, initiating significant events such as the first pilgrimage for Romani people in the 1980s, which became a tradition in southern Poland.

His funeral is scheduled for October 13, 2026, in his hometown of Rudka, with official announcements made by the Polish Bishops’ Conference and the Tarnów Diocese.

]]> Theatre https://rroma.org/theatre-4/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=theatre-4 Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:52:50 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35586 The theater group “Stolivud” in the multicultural neighborhood of Stolipinovo aims to promote tolerance and unity through art, featuring members from diverse ethnic backgrounds including Bulgarians, Roma, Turks, and others.

Their upcoming performance, “Missed Call,” will explore the five stages of grief and is set for November 13, 2026, at the State Puppet Theater in Plovdiv, with a charitable focus on helping homeless cats.

The group emphasizes the importance of overcoming challenges and using theater as a means to foster community connections and positive change.

]]> Roma Music in Hungary https://rroma.org/roma-music-in-hungary/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roma-music-in-hungary Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:52:02 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=35583 On Wednesday, October 7, educator and Roma cultural studies teacher Mrs. János Jónás delivered a lecture titled “Sounds of Two Worlds: Traditional Roma Vocal Music and Coffee-House ‘Gypsy Music'” at the Sámuel Tessedik Museum in Szarvas. In her presentation, she contrasted the musical worlds of the Romungro musician Roma and the Oláh Roma, highlighting what they listen to during celebrations versus times of death and funerals.

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