Category Archives: Poland

Poland, Roma, and Netflix

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“Infamia” has just debuted on Netflix. The series by Anna Maliszewska and Jakub Czekaj is, in many respects, a unique and very original production. Although it does not avoid minor mistakes and shortcomings, one can honestly admit that it is one of the most interesting Polish TV series in recent months, and maybe even years.

Łodz: Litzmannstadt Ghetto

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1942 a key year in the history of the ghetto, mostly due to camps operating within it, intended for Roma and Polish children. In January, the Germans liquidated the so-called gypsy camp (Zigeunerlager). In December, in the area separated from the ghetto, the Preventive Security Police Camp for Polish Youth in Łódź (Polen-Jugendverwahrlager der Sicherheitspolizei in Litzmannstadt) was established.

A walk in the footsteps of both camps will focus on their history, the fate of the victims and the relations between the camps and the surrounding ghetto.

Poland: Attack

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A reportage on the case of a man, a former soldier, who suddenly threatened Roma children in Zabrze, Poland. All the more incomprehensible, as he had been living for a long time in the neighbourhood and had friends there.

Ukrainian Roma Refugees in Poland

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The Fundacja w Stronę Dialogu [Towards Dialogue Foundation] has published a monitoring report for 2022-2023 entitled “They are not refugees, but travelers” on the situation of Roma refugees in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The material presented in the report was collected by the foundation’s team during regular local visits in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, mainly in Przemyśl, conducted from March 2022 to May 2023.

According to the report, in addition to unequal treatment, Roma face widespread anti-Gypsyism, and the challenges they face when fleeing are particularly acute. As a result of the outbreak of war, assistance for this group took on a new dimension: substandard support in reception points and places of collective accommodation.

Poland: Relocation

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Zbigniew Dąga and his family of six may be left without a roof over their heads. The Poviat Building Supervision Inspector in Limanowa, Poland,  has selected a company that is to demolish an unauthorized building, which is the Dągi house located in the Roma settlement in Koszary near Limanowa.

Netflix and Roma

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A new Netflix series focuses on Polish Roma. According to the article “After years of living in Great Britain, teenage Romni Gita and her family return to Poland. After returning, the girl tries to find herself and discovers her passions, while leading the life of a typical seventeen-year-old. However, when she falls in love, she has to balance between the modern world of teenagers and traditional family rules.”

Let’s hope there are not too many stereotypes.

Poland: It was not them …

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Again, rumours. A person drew attention to the behaviour of Roma living in the area of the allotment gardens at Lechicka Street in Poznan, Poland. He said that Roma are cutting trees and attached a photo in which people of probably Roma can be seen working on a cut tree.

It turns out, however, that it was not Roma who cut down the tree. The tree fell over in a strong wind, but not completely – the crown of the tree was above the road and was trimmed by the city services – explains Przemysław Piwecki from the city guard. The cut off boughs and branches were left on the side of the road, and Roma took that wood.

Sunday in Terespol

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A festival in Terespol, Poland, right on the Belarus border by Brest starts on August 13 in Terespol under the slogan “Multicultural City”. The aim of the “Multicultural City of Terespol” event will be to present the history and traditions of the communities living in Terespol and its vicinity over the centuries: Poles, Jews, Ruthenians (Ukrainians, Belarusians), Germans, Tatars and Roma.

Poland – Eviction

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Moving of a Roma family who lives in an old building failed. The City of Limanowo, due to the lack of social housing in its area, intended to buy an apartment in another community, but failed to raise funds for this purpose.

The Roma are now left by themselves.

Oświęcim Museum and Roma

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From 1 August, the Małopolskie Voivodeship will take over the Museum of Remembrance of Oświęcim from the Oświęcim District and will co-run it together with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.

As explained by the Marshal of Małopolska, Witold Kozłowski, after signing the document, the change of the museum’s organizer is aimed at expanding the scope of its activities. In that context, a Centre for Roma History and Culture will be established.

Poland: Movie

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A documentary will be presented in Warsaw on July 15th. It is the last interview given by Krystyna Gil (1943-2021), Witness of History and Guardian of the Memory of the Roma Holocaust, before her death. She was a well-known activist and leader, and for many years the president of the Roma Women’s Association in Poland. On January 20, 2021, Krystyna Gil was awarded the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. As the Consul General of Germany, Michael Gross, wrote in the letter announcing the award, the award honours her many years of work for “intergenerational, future-oriented dialogue, universal values and for all the content that you, as a Witness of History, have been providing for years”.

Poland: Commemoration

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On July 3, 1943, German gendarmes came to Szczurowa, Poland. Almost the entire community of Roma living in Szczurowa was murdered. The German police shot 93 Roma at the local cemetery. The German gendarme Engelbert Guzdek, was the main perpetrator.

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, at the mass grave of the Roma in Ratów, which is located in the local parish cemetery, it will take place at 13th memorial meeting with the participation of the Roma pianist from Slovakia, Mirosław Rač, and the Roma band Romano Iło from Nowa Huta.

Tarnow, Poland – Festival

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A festival in Tarnow, Poland, is commemorating the old way of life of Roma and the summer travels they did until is was forbidden in  Poland in 1961.

Krakow: International Days of Roma Culture

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The International Days of Roma Culture are celebrated in Krakow for the twelfth time with Roma from various parts of Europe came. Concerts and exhibitions will bring Krakow’s inhabitants closer to the culture that has become overgrown with many myths. To see what it really is like, it is worth visiting Nowa Huta on July 1 and 2.

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