Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Tensions

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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

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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

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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.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Barber Story

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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.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Czech Consul Torak

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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

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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

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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.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

A Success Story

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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.

Lithuania News Eastern Europe

“Gypsy” Fest

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“Gypsy” Fest

The annual GYPSY FEST parade in Vilnius attracted significant attention, featuring colorful performances, traditional Romani culture, and a free concert at Kudirkos Square.

Organizers emphasized the festival’s mission to combat stereotypes and promote understanding of Romani culture through various activities and messages displayed in the city.

This year’s event included a talent competition for young Roma, showcasing their abilities and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Flop

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Flop

A protest in Cluj-Napoca against the relocation of families from the Pata Rât landfill attracted fewer than 20 participants, mostly young people under 35, and was organized by a group known for anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion actions.

Protesters expressed hateful sentiments towards the Roma community and criticized local authorities, claiming that the relocation project unfairly benefits homeless individuals at the expense of hardworking citizens.

The local government clarified that only 50 apartments were purchased for relocation, funded primarily by external grants, and that the project aims to gradually relocate families from Pata Rât by 2030.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Education in Montenegro

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Education in Montenegro

Education is crucial for the social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro, with ongoing challenges and improvements in the educational system highlighted by Sultan Beća from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights.

Significant measures include dedicated scholarships and housing support for students from the Roma and Egyptian communities, aiming to enhance their educational success and social integration.

The government is committed to continuing efforts to prevent early school dropout and ensure that students from vulnerable backgrounds have the resources needed to pursue higher education.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Loan Sharks

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Loan Sharks

Dozens of families in the “Druzhba” neighborhood protested against loan sharks from CASH&GO after a Roma man was brutally beaten for failing to repay a loan.

Despite police presence, authorities focused on dispersing the protesters rather than pursuing the assailants, leading to frustration among the community.

The article highlights systemic issues with predatory lending practices and calls for government intervention to prevent further violence and unrest.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Roma Initiatives

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Roma Initiatives

Seven local initiatives in 2026 demonstrated how Roma organizations can empower their communities through education, cultural preservation, and women’s empowerment.

The results of the project “Empowering Local Roma Organizations” were presented at a press conference by the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization, highlighting activities from various cities.

Initiatives included workshops on traditional Roma cuisine and projects aimed at preventing violence and discrimination, showcasing the importance of collaboration in strengthening Roma communities.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Petition

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Petition

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.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Digital Safety

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Digital Safety

The #BezpečnáSieť (#SafeNetwork) project aims to strengthen digital safety among young Roma. It is being implemented by the Divé maky civic association. The project addresses risks such as online abuse, cyber-grooming, sexting, loss of privacy, and other threats young people may face in the online environment.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Blacksmith

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Blacksmith

La Bârca is home to a vibrant Roma community, with nea Ilie, a blacksmith, being a prominent figure.

Nea Ilie is recognized as the best blacksmith in Oltenia.

The story of the blacksmith from Bârca will be featured on TVR Craiova.

https://youtu.be/yg16-xRlFAA

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romania: Protest

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Romania: Protest

A protest organized by the nationalist group Comunitatea Identitară România is set to take place in Cluj-Napoca against the relocation of Roma families from Pata Rât to social housing, citing concerns over their ability to adapt to new living conditions.

The organization has a history of promoting racist messages and has been monitored for its extremist views, including hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community and antisemitic content.

ADI Zona Metropolitană Cluj, involved in the desegregation efforts, defends the relocation project, highlighting its success in improving living conditions for relocated families and condemning the hate speech surrounding the issue.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

National Council Elections

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National Council Elections

On November 8, Roma voters will elect 35 members of the National Council of the Roma National Minority, with a focus on who will truly represent their interests over the next four years.

The National Council has legally defined responsibilities in education, culture, and language use, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to improve the situation of the Roma community.

The pre-election campaign must address specific questions about candidates’ proposals and accountability to the Roma community, beyond just the voting process.

Europe News Eastern Europe Poland

Auschwitz Paintings

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Auschwitz Paintings

 Dina Gottliebova Babbitt was forced to create watercolors of Roma prisoners for Nazi physician Josef Mengele during the Holocaust, and she spent her life trying to reclaim these artworks from a museum.

Despite her efforts, the museum has refused to return the paintings, citing their historical significance and legal acquisition.

Babbitt’s daughters are now pursuing legal action to retrieve the artwork, highlighting the ongoing debate over art created under duress during the Holocaust.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Politics

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Roma Politics

The Democratic Union of Roma (DUR) has decided to withdraw from coalition talks with the Union of Roma of Serbia for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The decision was made with difficulty and is not intended to oppose the Union of Roma of Serbia or its representatives.

DUR aimed to unify the Roma political scene in Serbia to present a stronger, united front for better representation in the National Assembly.

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