Category Archives: Romania

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Alina Şerban

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Alina Şerban

The Romanian film “Eu contez” [I matter] directed by Alina Șerban won the Audience Award at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, marking a historic achievement for Romanian cinema.

Alina Șerban, a Roma director, is the first Romanian to present a feature film at the Venice Festival, and her film addresses themes of social exclusion and identity through the story of a young Roma woman.

The film has received widespread acclaim for its emotional authenticity and is expected to be a strong contender for international distribution and possibly an Oscar nomination.

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I Matter

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I Matter

“I Matter,” the debut feature film by director Alina Șerban, premiered on September 8 at the Venice International Film Festival in the Venice Spotlight section, making her the first Roma female director in the festival’s official selection.

The film follows Rebeca, a young Roma woman preparing to leave her care center, hoping to find stability through her father’s release from prison, but faces challenges in her transition to independent life.

The film, a Romania-Germany-Belgium co-production, will be released in Romanian cinemas in February 2027 and is also competing for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award in the Venice Spotlight section.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Sacha Baron Cohen

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Sacha Baron Cohen

The village of Glod in Romania, known for its Roma community, was the setting for Sacha Baron Cohen’s satirical documentary about Kazakhstan in 2006, which received a Golden Globe.

Two decades later, the community still remembers the dubious production methods and betrayals associated with the film, sharing their experiences with a British journalist.

The article reflects on the historical context of the Romani people in Glod, their past as nomads and serfs, and the village’s name, which means ‘mud’ in Romanian.

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Alina Şerban

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Alina Şerban

Alina Șerban, acclaimed for her role in ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’, returns to the Venice Film Festival as a director and screenwriter with her debut feature ‘Eu contez (I Matter)’, premiering on September 8.

The film, a Romanian-German-Belgian co-production, tells the story of a Roma teenager preparing to leave a care center, highlighting underrepresented narratives in cinema.

‘Eu contez’ competes for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award, featuring a cast that includes Denisa Farcaș and Sorin Mihai.

News Eastern Europe Romania

School Supplies

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School Supplies

Nice, but a drop in a large Ocean…

101 Roma children from Berchișești received school supplies through a European project implemented by ACDC in partnership with local schools and the municipality.

The project includes warm meals and a program to support children’s education and personal development, with activities like homework help and creative arts.

Local organizations emphasize the importance of collaboration between schools and families to improve educational access and prevent school dropout.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Alina Șerban

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Alina Șerban

Alina Șerban, acclaimed for her role in ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’, returns to the Venice Film Festival as a director and screenwriter with her debut feature ‘I Matter’, premiering on September 8.

‘I Matter’, a co-production between Romania, Germany, and Belgium, is one of eight films selected for the Spotlight section at the festival, competing for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award.

The film tells the story of Rebeca, a Roma teenager preparing to leave a care center, highlighting underrepresented narratives in cinema about the complexities of Roma experiences and adolescence.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Integration

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Integration

Ecaterina Topor, a young Roma woman, transformed her life through education, learning three languages and becoming a qualified chef, which boosted her confidence and opened new opportunities.

After graduating, she received guidance from the National Employment Agency, leading to a successful internship and job at a local restaurant, despite facing some prejudice due to her ethnicity.

Currently employed at an international company, Ecaterina advocates for education and self-reliance, encouraging other young Roma to pursue their dreams and build their futures.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma in Romania

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Roma in Romania

Iulian Paraschiv, president of the National Agency for Roma, stated that the Roma minority is the largest minority in Romania, although this is unofficial.

He explained that the classification is unofficial due to the lack of accurate census data on the Roma population.

The discussion highlights ongoing issues regarding the recognition and rights of the Roma community in Romania.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Clash

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Clash

A violent incident occurred on Saturday night in Tudor Vladimirescu, Romania, involving clashes between groups of Romanians and Roma, described as reminiscent of the ‘Wild West’.

According to the article, the conflict escalated after initial aggression from Roma youths towards Romanian youths, leading to a larger confrontation with local residents.

Police and ambulance services responded to the scene, with one seriously injured Roma man being airlifted to a hospital in Bucharest.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Rroma Film Festival

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Rroma Film Festival

The RROMA Film Festival will showcase short films inspired by Roma culture from September 4-6 in Brasov and Augustin, featuring a special screening of ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin.’

The festival will honour Salvador Dali and include a celebration of Roma culture with traditional music and culinary experiences.

The closing ceremony will feature the film ‘Malul Vanat’ and a tribute to a lost film about Roma communities, with free admission to all events.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Illegal Houses

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Illegal Houses

The Romanian government has amended the urban planning and construction code to allow municipalities to legalize unauthorized constructions, including those built without permits, until August 2027.

This change is seen as a political maneuver to gain favor with voters ahead of the 2028 elections, particularly benefiting mayors who have historically allowed illegal constructions in rural areas.

The new regulations raise concerns about safety and legality, as they may enable the legalization of unsafe buildings and increase the power of mayors in local governance.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romani Culture

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Romani Culture

The Ministry of Culture in Romania has launched a pilot program to support and promote Roma culture, led by the Musical Theater “Ambasadorii”.

The initiative aims to involve Roma artists in theater productions and highlight their cultural contributions through workshops, conferences, and artistic development activities.

The project is seen as a step towards establishing a dedicated public institution for Roma performances by 2027, although immediate establishment is hindered by financial and administrative constraints.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Corruption?

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Corruption?

The article discusses the alleged corruption and mismanagement within the Romani Party in Vaslui, Romania, highlighting the lack of progress in integrating the Romani community despite significant funding over the years.

Activist Valeriu Nicolae criticizes the leadership of the Romani Party, describing it as corrupt and ineffective, and emphasizes that the Romani people are the ones suffering from this corruption.

The article also details a recent scandal involving the Romani Party’s leadership, leading to the suspension of its local structures and the dismissal of key figures due to allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement.

News Eastern Europe News Switzerland Romania

You Don’t Belong Here

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You Don’t Belong Here

“You Don’t Belong Here” won the Golden Leopard for Best Film at the Locarno Film Festival, presenting a moral drama set in small-town Romania, exploring themes of family crisis and societal issues.

The film follows Marius, a surgeon, and his son Ioan, who becomes involved in a violent incident involving racist youths targeting Roma families, leading to a confrontation that impacts their lives.

The narrative examines the complexities of father-son relationships, masculinity, and social violence, using a restrained cinematic style to provoke reflection on personal and societal responsibilities.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romnja in Romania

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Romnja in Romania

In modern society, the Roma woman represents the central pillar of the family. They are the one who assume multiple roles… wife, mother, grandmother, and for some time now also the role of a perfect professional. At “Roma for Oltenia” we will talk to Ms. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Delia Grigore about the Roma woman and her skills in various fields of activity.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Ambulance Attack

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Ambulance Attack

A violent attack on an ambulance in Cluj County was fueled by false information claiming the crew was kidnapping children, highlighting the dangers of misinformation and distrust in institutions, according to sociologist Gelu Duminică.

Duminică warns that reducing the incident to ethnic identity misses the real issues of fear, precariousness, and the spread of false information, which can manipulate vulnerable populations.

The mayor of Recea-Cristur expressed surprise at the attack, emphasizing the need for social media platforms to take action against the spread of false news that contributed to the incident.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Attack

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Attack

A serious incident occurred in Recea Cristur, Romania, where an ambulance was attacked by a group of individuals using axes, bats, and stones, injuring the driver severely.

The mayor expressed surprise at the attack, noting that there had been no previous issues in the local Roma community, and emphasized the need for police accountability.

Three young men have been detained for 24 hours in connection with the attack, facing charges related to violence and public disorder.

News Eastern Europe Romania

The Borat Village

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The Borat Village

The village of Glod in Romania, known for its portrayal in Sacha Baron Cohen’s parody documentary about Kazakhstan, still remembers the dubious production methods and betrayals from that time.

The article describes the lives of Andrei and his grandfather Neamu, who live in this Roma community, reflecting on their history.

The village’s name, Glod, translates to ‘mud’, symbolizing its humble beginnings and the contrast with the nearby city.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Čingar

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Čingar

The scandal surrounding former Roma organization leader Sergiu Sava has led to calls for a complete restructuring of leadership within the community, as many believe the organization has not served their interests for years.

Community members allege that leadership positions have been filled through favoritism and corruption, with claims of bribes and lack of accountability for financial mismanagement.

There is a strong demand for educated leaders who can effectively represent the Roma community and address their needs, as the current leadership is criticized for being unqualified and disconnected from the community’s issues.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romanian Relocation

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Romanian Relocation

Emil Boc, the mayor of Cluj, emphasized that the integration of families relocated from the Pata Rât area is progressing well, with over 100 families already housed in rented accommodations, and no issues reported regarding unpaid bills.

The city is committed to social housing projects and support programs, including financial assistance for rent, aimed at vulnerable populations, particularly those from the Pata Rât area.

Boc rejected claims of integration challenges, asserting that the process is ongoing and supported by various funding sources, and highlighted the importance of work and education for successful integration.

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