Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma in Budapest

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Roma in Budapest

A research commissioned by the Józsefváros Municipality aims to explore the challenges and needs of the Roma community in Józsefváros, focusing on issues like housing, education, healthcare, employment, culture, and women’s status.

The study will utilize a combination of focus group discussions, surveys, and professional interviews, targeting around 300 participants who identify as Roma and are over 18 years old.

The research contract was awarded to TÁRKI and Uccu through an open tender, evaluated on methodological soundness, prior experience, research elements, and cost.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Roma Settlement

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Roma Settlement

Representatives from the Office for Nationalities visited a Roma settlement in Dolga Vas to discuss the challenges faced by the Roma community and share best practices for their inclusion and empowerment.

Roma councilor Nataša Horvat highlighted the responsibilities and challenges of representing the Roma community, emphasizing the need for perseverance and courage in creating positive change. The discussions underscored the importance of mutual respect, collaboration, and honest dialogue in achieving sustainable changes for the community.

Frankly, with the small number of Roma in the country, this problem could have been solved earlier…

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Really?

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Really?

A Slovenian Roma community representative in Brezje–Žabjak claims that a 19-year-old pregnant woman was left homeless after her residence was demolished without prior notice from authorities.

The representative is urging the mayor and local government to provide temporary housing for the woman and to clarify the legal basis for the demolition. The community seeks to legalize their homes and is willing to purchase land, emphasizing the need for cooperation and respect from local authorities.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Returning

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Returning

A podcast features Shener Rahimov discussing his decision to return to Bulgaria after nearly eight years in Germany, highlighting the challenges he faced abroad and his belief in positive thinking.

He reflects on the changes within the Roma community, noting increased education and openness among the youth, and emphasizes the importance of not letting others’ opinions dictate one’s life.

Shener shares his new professional goal of becoming a photographer and visual storyteller, expressing that life in the West is not as appealing as it once seemed.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Settlements Infrastructure

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Settlements Infrastructure

In 2026 and 2027, the Slovenian municipalities of Črenšovci, Rogašovci, and Šalovci will receive financial support to improve communal infrastructure in Roma settlements as part of a government initiative.

A total of 12 municipalities applied for funding, with Črenšovci receiving nearly €118,000 for a sewage pumping station, Rogašovci receiving €156,000 for road reconstruction and €250,000 for a sewage network, and Šalovci receiving €65,000 for infrastructure improvements.

These investments aim to enhance living conditions in Roma communities, promoting health, education, and economic development, thereby fostering social inclusion and reducing disparities.

It says a lot that sewers and roads still need funding in 2026… What have they done til now?

News Eastern Europe Romania

High School Allocations

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High School Allocations

In Iași County, Romania, the admission process for high schools in 2026 includes 354 distinct places, with 205 allocated for Roma students and 149 for candidates with special educational needs (SEN).

The options for enrollment must be completed on July 13 and 14, 2026, with the allocation of students occurring on July 16, 2026, through a computerized system.

Roma students need a written recommendation confirming their ethnicity to participate, while SEN candidates must submit a certificate from the County Center for Resources and Educational Assistance

Now the question is, who certifies the Romani ethnicity? This is a dangerous path.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Employment

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Roma Employment

Despite various programs aimed at improving the situation of the Roma community in Serbia, they remain one of the hardest groups to employ due to deep structural issues.

Government strategies often fail to translate into real opportunities, creating a facade of progress that does not reflect the daily lives of individuals.

The article argues that economic measures alone cannot address social exclusion without tackling the ingrained prejudices that define who is considered a ‘desirable’ worker.

Bosnia News Eastern Europe

Bosnian War Crimes

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Bosnian War Crimes

July 12 marks the 34th anniversary of one of the most serious and monstrous crimes committed against Roma civilians during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On the Orthodox holiday of St. Peter’s Day in 1992, members of a paramilitary formation known as “Sima’s Chetniks” carried out a massacre of the inhabitants of the Roma settlement of Skočić near Kozluk, near Zvornik.

After looting, brutal beatings, torture, rape and humiliation, they captured members of Roma families and then took them to the hamlet of Hamzići near Malešić, where they were shot and thrown into a pit.

28 Roma civilians were killed in the crime, including nine children and one pregnant woman. This massacre is considered the largest single war crime against Roma committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Politics and Roma

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Politics and Roma

Salih Saitović, president of the Democratic Union of Roma, emphasized the need for a change in how political parties view the Roma community.

He stated that Roma should not be seen merely as a voting bloc that politicians only engage with during election periods.

The call for recognition and respect for the Roma community’s contributions and needs was highlighted.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Loud Wedding

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Loud Wedding

A large wedding with 1,300 guests in a school yard in Vidin has prompted police investigations into the legality of the event and the source of funding, following numerous noise complaints from residents.

The local councilor who organized the event received permission from the mayor, which included the use of sound equipment after 10 PM, leading to public outcry due to noise disturbances.

Authorities are examining the legality of the permit and the financial aspects of the event, with ongoing inspections of municipal procedures and potential administrative accountability for officials involved.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Arakhel …

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Arakhel …

The city of Pirot has been selected as the pilot city for the regional project “Arakhel,” aimed at improving protection and support for Romani women victims of gender-based and domestic violence.

The project, led by the Bibija Romani Women’s Center in partnership with civil society organizations from Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, is supported by the European Union.

Key goals include establishing a specialized center for comprehensive support for Romani women facing violence and enhancing trust in institutions to encourage reporting of violence and seeking help.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria Brawl – Again

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Bulgaria Brawl – Again

A mass brawl involving around 100 people occurred in the village of Kŭrnare, Bulgaria, between two feuding Roma families, as reported by Nova TV. This resulted in several news articles.

Police teams quickly arrived to control the situation, where participants were throwing hard objects at each other, resulting in property damage but no serious injuries.

The atmosphere in the village is currently calm, with police patrols remaining until public order is fully restored; similar incidents have been noted in other regions recently.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Critique

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Critique

The film Pramen, depicting forced sterilization of Romani women in 1980s Czechoslovakia, faces criticism for centering on doctors’ perspectives rather than the victims. While intended to highlight a dark historical chapter, critics argue the portrayal risks relativizing racially motivated state policy by suggesting the perpetrators acted in good faith.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Traditions

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Traditions

Andreea Tudor, a young Romani woman, shared her strict childhood rules and traditions on TikTok, highlighting the responsibilities placed on her from a young age.

She explained that after the age of 12, she was no longer seen as a child and had to take on household duties, while also facing restrictions on her clothing choices and friendships.

Her video sparked significant online reactions, with many viewers learning about Romani customs for the first time and appreciating her openness about her experiences.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Kali Sara

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Kali Sara

The Roma Alliance in the Republic of Croatia “KALI SARA” has issued a public call to citizens, institutions, researchers and organizations from all over Europe to propose new personalities for the updated edition of the publication “Traces of Roma Culture – Meritorious Among Us”, which is one of the most important publications dedicated to the preservation of Roma history, culture and identity.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Is it Normal?

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Is it Normal?

Zoran Stevanović, before becoming the president of the Slovenian parliament, made various controversial statements online as a local politician.

In a specific post, he said: Bratje Romi, ena 5G antena vsebuje 10 kg bakra in celo pol kg platine. Pa ponoči jih noben ne čuva. Samo da veste. Brothers Roma, one 5G antenna contains 10 kg of copper and even half a kg of platinum. And no one guards them at night. Just so you know.

His comments reflect a longstanding attitude rather than a new development after his election to the national assembly.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Attack

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Attack

Several articles in the Slovenian press about a violent incident where a 28 years old man was injured and needed to he hospitalised. The attackers were apparently Roma, but the police confirmed that the attack was not random and involved individuals who knew each other.

Bad reporting, and bad news…

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Te Prindžaras Amen

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Te Prindžaras Amen

The 22nd edition of the festival “Te prindžaras amen – Let’s Get to Know Each Other” will focus on traditional dance forms of various Roma groups in Slovakia, taking place on July 12 at the Slovak Village Museum in Martin.

Visitors will learn about Roma dance folklore from educators and will have the opportunity to see performances from established Roma dance ensembles and musicians.

The event will also feature a photography exhibition by respected Roma journalist Roman Čonka, showcasing the lives of notable Roma musicians and artists, along with workshops for children.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

5th International Roma Music Day

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5th International Roma Music Day

The 5th International Day of Gypsy Music will take place on August 8, connecting 11 venues across 7 countries, with Budapest as the main hub.

The festival aims to celebrate the diversity of Roma music, featuring nearly 30 artists and free concerts, despite financial challenges in Hungary’s cultural scene.

The event honors the late Esma Redžepova, a prominent figure in Romani music, and includes a tradition of simultaneous performances of the international Romani anthem, “Gelem, Gelem.”

Would be nice if they did not use the “Gypsy” or even worse, the “Z”-word …

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Racism in Serbia

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Racism in Serbia

A video from Šabac shows a woman physically assaulting a Roma boy while using racist insults, sparking outrage on social media in Serbia.

The attacker, K. S., admitted to the incident but downplayed it, claiming she only slapped the boy twice after he was allegedly rude.

The victim’s mother reported the incident to authorities, highlighting previous aggression from the same woman, and called for institutional action to prevent such incidents in the future.

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