Testimonies of Rroma and Sinti from Auschwitz.
– AUSCHWITZ AND THE TESTIMONY OF THE SINTI AND ROMA. In: Romarchiv. https://blog.romarchive.eu/?p=7336 [link-preview url=”https://blog.romarchive.eu/?p=7336″]
Category Archives: Poland
Gdansk and the Attacks
The Gdansk police could not determine the perpetrators of last year’s assault on two Roma families living in a Rroma settlement. The attack on 15 people took place on May 11th of last year before and after a football match. Suspicions are that the police did not really do much to find the culprits.
– Napadli na dwie rodziny, ale pozostają bezkarni. In: Fak24. 18.91.2017. http://www.fakt.pl/wydarzenia/polska/trojmiasto/gdansk-napad-na-romow-sprawcy-pozostaja-bezkarni/emf6c5k [link-preview url=”http://www.fakt.pl/wydarzenia/polska/trojmiasto/gdansk-napad-na-romow-sprawcy-pozostaja-bezkarni/emf6c5k”]
Poland: Litzmannstadt Ghetto
Poland commemorated the 75th anniversary of the liquidation of the Rroma camp in the Litzmannstadt Ghetto. In the Litzmannstadt Ghetto (created by the occupation authorities in February 1940), a very small area was separated as a Gypsy camp (Zigeunerlager). More than 5,000 Roma and Sinti deported from Burgenland on the border between the Austro-Hungarian were interned there. The camp was separated from the Ghetto by double barbed wire and deep moat, and the windows were boarded. In such terrible conditions Rroma – most of which were small children – had no chance of survival. There was immediately a typhus epidemic broke out, which decimated the population. On January 5, 1942, the Nazis began deportation to the extermination camp at Chelmno on the Ner. Within a week Gypsy camp was liquidated. Not a single person survived.
75. rocznica likwidacji obozu cygańskiego w Litzmannstadt Getto [ZDJĘCIA, FILM]. In: Polska Times. 12.01.2017. http://www.polskatimes.pl/fakty/kraj/a/75-rocznica-likwidacji-obozu-cyganskiego-w-litzmannstadt-getto-zdjecia-film,11684650/ [link-preview url=”http://www.polskatimes.pl/fakty/kraj/a/75-rocznica-likwidacji-obozu-cyganskiego-w-litzmannstadt-getto-zdjecia-film,11684650/”]
Poland Racism
The case of Rroma wanting to buy property in a small village in Poland in Kamionna is arbitrated by an Ombudsman. The Rroma had faced a fierce opposition to the purchase from the local population, most probably because of racism.
The Ombudsman declared the villagers “do not want Rroma” there.
Bad.
– Problem Romów z kupnem nieruchomości. In: RP. 22.11.2016. http://www.rp.pl/Cudzoziemcy/311229942-Problem-Romow-z-kupnem-nieruchomosci.html#ap-1 [link-preview url=”http://www.rp.pl/Cudzoziemcy/311229942-Problem-Romow-z-kupnem-nieruchomosci.html#ap-1″]
Auschwitz: Appeal for Peace
Leaders from several of the main monotheistic religions have issued an appeal for peace in Auschwitz.
GOOD … especially since these monotheistic religions were often at the core of the persecutions.
BUT … Let’s be historically correct. More than one Mio of Jews were killed in Auschwitz. Yes, we agree. There were also 25’000 Rroma who were registered there. REGISTERED. More were killed. Exactly as Jews, those who were gassed immediately were not in the registers. Ca. 350 thousand Jews were registered. Let’s keep that in mind. It is to this day impossible to know how many Rroma were killed.
May they all rest in peace.
– A Auschwitz, l’appel à la paix des chefs religieux monothéistes d’Israël. In: L’Express. 02.11.2016. http://www.lexpress.fr/actualites/1/styles/a-auschwitz-l-appel-a-la-paix-des-chefs-religieux-monotheistes-d-israel_1846721.html [link-preview url=”http://www.lexpress.fr/actualites/1/styles/a-auschwitz-l-appel-a-la-paix-des-chefs-religieux-monotheistes-d-israel_1846721.html”]
Puławy: Vote Postponed
The municipality of Puławy postponed a vote that was meant to decide on a new program on Rroma integration in that city. The program is aiming at reducing prejudices against Rroma, at furthering their education and at integration.
– Radni odłożyli dyskusję o pomocy dla Romów. “Władza potraktowała nas z buta”. In: Dziennik. 28.11.2016. http://www.dziennikwschodni.pl/pulawy/radni-odlozyli-dyskusje-o-pomocy-dla-romow-wladza-potraktowala-nas-z-buta,n,1000188994.html [link-preview url=”http://www.dziennikwschodni.pl/pulawy/radni-odlozyli-dyskusje-o-pomocy-dla-romow-wladza-potraktowala-nas-z-buta,n,1000188994.html”]
Poland: More Houses for Rroma
The town of Limanowa in Southern Poland, is currently deciding whether to purchase new houses to improve the hosing situation of the Rroma there. The money comes from a government program and is meant to help three families in that town.
The debate currently is about where to buy… Surprise …
– Kupią kolejne domy dla Romów? Dziś decyzja radnych. In: Limanowa.in. 20.10.2016. http://limanowa.in/wydarzenia;kupia-kolejne-domy-dla-romow-dzis-decyzja-radnych,33729.html [link-preview url=”http://limanowa.in/wydarzenia;kupia-kolejne-domy-dla-romow-dzis-decyzja-radnych,33729.html”]
Poland: A Case of Prejudice?
The mayor of a small city in Poland received an enquiry from the Ombudsmann over his city’s reluctance to settle a family of Rroma in the commune. According to the Ombudsman, this could definitively be deemed to be racial prejudice. And clearly, people in that twon do not want any Rroma as neighbours.
– Kamionna, Czchów. Wójt musi się tłumaczyć z niechęci do Romów. In: Dziennik. 22.10.2016. http://www.dziennikpolski24.pl/region/a/kamionna-czchow-wojt-musi-sie-tlumaczyc-z-niecheci-do-romow,10767504/ [link-preview url=”http://www.dziennikpolski24.pl/region/a/kamionna-czchow-wojt-musi-sie-tlumaczyc-z-niecheci-do-romow,10767504/”]
Poland: Integration in Puławy
The city of Puławy in South Eastern Poland has started a new program aimed at furthering the integration of Rroma in that city.
The program aims at reducing prejudices and at furthering Rroma in the school system, as many do not go further than elementary school. The city is home to 260 Rroma.
– Puławy: Integracja Romów może być trudna. In: Dziennik. 17.10.2016. http://www.dziennikwschodni.pl/pulawy/pulawy-integracja-romow-moze-byc-trudna,n,1000188340.html [link-preview url=”http://www.dziennikwschodni.pl/pulawy/pulawy-integracja-romow-moze-byc-trudna,n,1000188340.html”]
Austria: A Bishop for Integration
An Austrian Bishop took part to the memorial of Austrian Rroma murdered in Poland. Just missing the fact that the Austrians were actively involved. His other words about integration, stopping prejudice, are the right ones, and not often heard from the Church.
- Weihbischof Scharl: Ausgrenzung von Roma und Sinti überwinden. In: Erzdiocese Wien. 02.08.2016. https://www.erzdioezese-wien.at/site/home/nachrichten/article/51582.html
More on the Auschwitz Ceremony
A few articles and pictures on the Auschwitz commemoration ceremony on Tuesday.
- Roma Holocaust victims remembered at Auschwitz death camp. In: Radio Poland. 02.08.2016. http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/264747,Roma-Holocaust-victims-remembered-at-Auschwitz-death-camp
- Roma and Sinti victims of Nazis remembered at Auschwitz. In: YNet. 02.08.2016. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4836557,00.html
Elie Wiesel on Poland and Auschwitz
An interesting article explaining Eleie Wiesel’s views on Poland (a “Jewish Graveyard”) and on why Auschwitz was so much uniquely Jewish for him.
Even if one disagrees with him on this latter point, as the Holocaust is also a Rroma tragedy, he was and remains one of the voices of our conscience. May he rest in peace.
- Elie Wiesel: A Holocaust Icon Everywhere but Poland. In: Haaretz. 12.07.2016. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.730246
Poland – Gdansk: Pogroms
Football hooligans in Gdansk attacked a Rroma compound close to the football stadium in Gdansk. The police, in spite of warnings did not intervene at all. That football hooligans are often closet Nazis is an unfortunate fact, but that the police doesn’t do a thing, is not acceptable.
- Angriff auf Roma-Siedlung in Polen. In: d|Rom|a. 15.05.2015. http://www.roma-service.at/dromablog/?p=36396
- HOOLIGANS GREIFEN ROMA-SIEDLUNG IM POLNISCHEN GDAŃSK AN – TROTZ WARNUNG KEIN EINGREIFEN DER POLIZEI. In: Ecoleusti. 14.05.2016. https://ecoleusti.wordpress.com/2016/05/14/hooligans-greifen-roma-siedlung-im-polnischen-gdansk-an-polizei-unternimmt-trotz-warnung-nichts/
Poland: Holocaust Memorial Hacked Up
A memorial for Rroma Holocaust victims was destroyed in Poland.
SHAME! And may the dead plague the people who did this.
- Polish monument to Roma Holocaust victims hacked up. In Radio Poland., 22.04.2016. http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/249912,Polish-monument-to-Roma-Holocaust-victims-hacked-up#sthash.EgtCzIh6.dpuf
Poles don’t like Rroma
Apparently, Poles don’t like Rroma and Arabs, but like Czechs and Italians… Wondering how the question was asked …
- Poles like Czechs, Italians, dislike Arabs and Roma. In: Radio Poland. 15.04.2016. http://www.thenews.pl/1/11/Artykul/248820,Poles-like-Czechs-Italians-dislike-Arabs-and-Roma#sthash.ROD7ROH0.dpuf
More on Holocaust Remembrance Day
Several Articles on the Holocaust Remembrance Day.
- Auschwitz not only a museum, but also a ‘warning’: Polish president. In: Radio Poland. 27.01.2016. http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/238300,Auschwitz-not-only-a-museum-but-also-a-%E2%80%98warning%E2%80%99-Polish-president#sthash.od196ZjB.dpuf
- Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. In: Radio Armenia. 27.01.2016. http://www.armradio.am/en/2016/01/27/today-is-holocaust-remembrance-day/
- Holocaust survivors gather at Auschwitz to commemorate victims. In: Europe Online. 27.01.2016. http://en.europeonline-magazine.eu/holocaust-survivors-gather-at-auschwitz-to-commemorate-victims_435594.html
- UN remember Nazi Holocaust victims, survivors. In: The Nation. 27.01.2016. http://thenationonlineng.net/un-remember-nazi-holocaust-victims-survivors/
- Holocaust victims honored on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In: The Baltoimore Sun. 27.01.2016. http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2016/01/international-holocaust-remembrance-day/#1
- International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust observed. In: Jagran Josh. 28.01.2016. http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/international-day-of-commemoration-in-memory-of-the-victims-of-the-holocaust-observed-1453978916-1
It has to be in Another Country
A polish and Rroma community group in the UK… Would unfortunately no longer happen in Poland.
- Southend’s Polish and Roma communities helped by new group. In: Clacton Gazette. 09.11.2015. http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/south_essex_news/13954414.Polish_and_Roma_community_helped_by_new_group/
Wroclaw: Rroma Camp demolished
New developments in Poland. A Rroma camp in Wroclaw was demolished. No alternatives were provided, and some of the residents lost all their belongings. A SHAME!
- Can’t you see that people are living here? In: Political Critique. 17.08.2015. http://politicalcritique.org/reporting/2015/cant-you-see-that-people-are-living-here/
- Roma Camp in Wrocław Cleared and Demolished. In: Liberties.EU. 20.08.2015. http://www.liberties.eu/en/news/the-liquidation-of-the-roma-camp-in-wroclaw
New Head of the Rroma Education Fund
A new head of the Rroma Education Fund (REF) in Budapest was nominated. It is Andrzje Mirga, from Poland. An interview and more about the education fund.
- Andrzej Mirga, Roma Education Fund’s new chair, on the European Roma Institute and more. In: Romea.cz. 25.07.2015. http://www.romea.cz/en/news/world/andrzej-mirga-roma-education-fund-s-new-chair-on-the-european-roma-institute-and-more
01.08.2014 Holocaust: “the saver in the long skirt”
In an impressive article Hreczuk (2014) reports on the fate of the Romni Alfreda Markowska (Noncia) and of more than 50 men and women who owe her their lives. The reason for the article is the 70th day of remembrance of the evacuation of the Gypsy camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. The systematic mass murder in the Gypsy camp cost nearly 20,000 people their lives. Markowska, whose entire family was murdered by the Nazis, worked with her husband for the Todt organisation who installed railway tracks in the occupied territories: “When somebody told Noncia about a group of Roma who was killed in a nearby forest, all her terrible memories came back. “When she heard that she went there immediately”, says Parno [one of the rescued]. In the remains of the camp in the woods, Noncia finds a child. It is her first. […] On that day, Noncia decides to rebuild her large family. Within a radius of 100 kilometres, she goes everywhere where the Nazis have murdered. She smuggles children out from the trains. She never gets discovered. “Nationality did not matter to Noncia”, says Parno. Some time later, when Noncia and her husband moved behind the front to the west, as far as Gorzow, they also took lost children from there. German children. […] Noncia is now almost 90 years old and too sick to receive unknown visitors. In 2006, she received the second highest civilian honour of Poland, the Polonia Restituta with a star. But she never received compensation for her persecution. Her little pension is barely enough for life and for pharmaceuticals.” This memorable article shows the importance of civil courage and action against the passive acceptance of prevailing circumstances.
- Hreczuk, Agnieszka (2014) Die Retterin im langen Rock. In: Tages Woche online vom 30.7.2014. http://www.tageswoche.ch/de/2014_30/international/664825/
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