Category Archives: News Western Europe

Roma History

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Roma History

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, the Society for Geography and Cultures of the World, in cooperation with the Museum of Nature and Environment, will host a lecture at 7 p.m. entitled “Sinti and Roma in Lübeck – From 1933 to the Present Day.” The speakers are the authors of the book of the same name, Elisabeth Eßer and Gerhard Eikenbusch, who will present the results of their joint research on the lives of Lübeck’s Sinti and Roma from the Nazi era to the present day.

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Only one notable article about Roma in France in the French speaking press this week. A camp near Angers in Western France is awaiting its closure.

A Book on Genocide

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A Book on Genocide

Denied Memories. Roma and Sinti during the Second World War is the title of the meeting promoted by the Lav Romanò association, scheduled for Wednesday, February 11th at 6:00 PM at the Ubik bookshop in Cosenza.

A commemorative event dedicated to a chapter of history that has long remained marginalized in official history. The Nazi genocide of Roma and Sinti, deported to extermination camps, and the internment they suffered in Italy at the hands of the fascist state, remain rarely reported events.

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Some more news in France this week about Roma. First a fight between Romas and Algerians in Lyon left three people wounded. Then several articles about Roma camps, one about life there, one on how a vacant plot became a Roma camp, and one eviction. And finally, two articles about an upcoming “Cabaret Tzigane” in Nantes, where it is not really clear whether Roma are actually involved …

Italy and Crime

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Italy and Crime

Articles on Roma criminality are a staple of the Italian press. Here a gang of Sinti who robbed appartment were unmasked and arrested by the police. In fact, there are more articles about Roma and migrants criminality than about the mafia …

One wonders.

Antigyspyism

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Antigyspyism

Against anti-Gypsyism – for social inclusion: For the SPD in the Bavarian State Parliament, combating anti-Gypsyism is a permanent political obligation. The Social Democrats want to strengthen the rights of Sinti and Roma and guarantee their social inclusion – something that is not yet fully ensured. Markus Rinderspacher, the SPD’s European affairs expert, is calling on the state government to take even stronger action against anti-Gypsyism. “Anti-Gypsyism has no place in Bavaria. We must learn from the past, preserve our memories, and strengthen the inclusion of Sinti and Roma today and in the future.”

Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth

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Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth

The Documentation and Cultural Centre and the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma mourn the loss of Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 88. “Sinti and Roma owe Rita Süssmuth a great debt of gratitude. She not only supported the work of the Central Council for many years, but also campaigned at the political level for the realization of the Documentation and Cultural Centre in Heidelberg,” emphasized Romani Rose, Chairman of the Central Council and Managing Director of the Documentation and Cultural Centre.

French version of Lazar

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French version of Lazar

Several articles on Janos Lazar and on his by now infamous statement that Roma should clean shitty train toilets in the French press.

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Not much in France this week, appart from quite a few articles on Janos Lazar, see our other post there).

A camp near Paris will not be closed, to the dismal of the residents around it. And in Nantes, 3 Roma are condemned for burglaries.

Hamburg and Memorial

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Hamburg and Memorial

For 15 years, the Hamburg Senate has been planning to build a documentation center in Lohsepark in HafenCity to depict the deportation of Jews, Sinti, and Roma during the Nazi era. Because the project is stalled, an open letter has now been published.

It is addressed to First Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) and private sponsor Harm Müller-Spreer. The realization of the documentation center at the former Hanoverian Railway Station is in jeopardy, and the Senate’s credibility is therefore at stake. This is the message from representatives of the Auschwitz Committee in Hamburg.

Fascists and Nazis

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Fascists and Nazis

Twenty-four hours before the Holocaust Remembrance Day celebrations on January 27, 2026, dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and all those persecuted and deported by the Nazi and Fascist regimes, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri lashed out: “I read, and I hope it’s not true, that there’s a fiction that’s supposed to air tomorrow about the roundup of the Jews of Rome, where the fascists aren’t even seen. They’re not there; only the Nazis are.” And then he added: “But as witnesses know, the fascists actively collaborated in Hitler’s criminal decision to completely exterminate all Jews.”

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

This week, some more news about Roma in France. A reportage about Roma who gather old metal and many other items that French discard near Paris; in Antibes, in the South of France, 4 families are without lodging after the closure of their camp; in Angers, in Western France, a camp with more than hunderd people will be closed.

Racism in Schools

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Racism in Schools

Another article about racism against Roma in German schools. This time, the story of Melissa who felt excluded as the only Roma child in her class. Changing schools to a special school in Frankfurt enabled her to graduate.

Discrimination in Schools

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Discrimination in Schools

The Reporting Center for Antigypsyism (MIA) in Hesse has registered significantly more cases of discrimination against Sinti and Roma than in the previous year. Students are particularly affected – on the school grounds, but also during lessons.

Bad.

Talks on the Genocide of the Roma

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Talks on the Genocide of the Roma

Essex University will be hosting an event to explore the Romani experience in the Holocaust to mark International Holocaust Memorial Day. The free event will take place on 29th January from 6-7pm at the Colchester campus of Essex University and will also be available for people to attend online.

Santo Spinelli in NYC

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Santo Spinelli in NYC

On the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Concert for the Day of Remembrance / Samudaripen, promoted and organized by the Union of Romani Communities in Italy (UCRI), will be held on February 2 at 8:00 p.m. at Carnegie Hall in New York. The event, organized with the patronage and support of the Italian Cultural Institute in New York, UNAR at Palazzo Chigi, and the major European Roma and Sinti organizations—ERGO Network, ERIAC, and IRU—is intended to contribute to the recognition of Samudaripen, the genocide of the Roma people during World War II, alongside the Holocaust, through the universal language of music. The concert features two internationally renowned artists, Gennaro Spinelli, violin soloist, and Santino Spinelli, accordion soloist, accompanied by members of the European Peace Orchestra. This ethno-symphonic project combines revisited classical repertoire and traditional Romani music, along with several original compositions, offering a musical journey of strong symbolic and cultural value.

Roma, Travellers, and Universities

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Roma, Travellers, and Universities

According to recently published numbers, the number of “Gypsy or Travellers” enrolled in univeristies in the UK increased from 105 in 2019/2020 to 2’535 in 2023/2024. Apparently, the increase is mostly due to Roma students.

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