Category Archives: News Western Europe

Germany News Western Europe

Schwaben: Exhibition

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Schwaben: Exhibition

The traveling exhibition “Swabian Sinti and Roma in Past and Present,” organized by the Swabian District Heritage Preservation Office, has opened at the Church of Mary Queen of Peace (Johannesstr. 4). The exhibition is a collaboration between the Swabian District Heritage Preservation Office and the Regional Association of German Sinti and Roma Swabia. It is open daily from 12 pm to 7 pm until January 22. (AZ)

Germany News Western Europe

Berlin: Exhibition

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Berlin: Exhibition

The exhibition “Resistance and Dignity” by the feminist organization RomaniPhen e.V. and the FHXB Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg Museum focuses on the knowledge and experiences of Roma and Sinti. Since 1945 to the present day, Roma and Sinti have been fighting for a dignified life and remembrance.

Austria News Western Europe

Austria and Racism

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Austria and Racism

A special rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council criticized the lack of awareness of racism in Austria following a visit there. “There is a widespread reluctance to fully acknowledge the existence of racism,” Indian political scientist Ashwini K. P. told the APA news agency on Monday at the UN headquarters in Vienna. She clearly stated her opposition to the planned headscarf ban for girls, arguing that it would reinforce prejudices.

She had also received “disturbing reports and accounts” of discrimination against Roma and Sinti. She was also “deeply concerned” about the increase in anti-Semitic incidents.

Germany News Western Europe

Romani Rose

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Romani Rose

The city of Heidelberg has honored Romani Rose with its Citizen’s Medal for his outstanding commitment to the city and the rights of Sinti and Roma.

Mayor Eckart Würzner presented the award on Thursday evening, December 4, at the town hall. Romani Rose has been Chairman of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma since 1982. From 1991, he served as Managing Director of the Documentation and Cultural Center of German Sinti and Roma in the Old Town.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

The first article in the French press, in a renowned women’s magazine is titled “Report from Romania: Witchcraft as a tool for women’s emancipation”. While there may be such cases, this is by far not the only tool and is definitively pandering to stereotypes. In Verdun and in Metz, two conferences and meetings to better the views of the French on Roma, albeit with a focus on Romania. The rest of the news is standard. Near Paris, 300 Roma camp in a village of 400 inhabitants; and a death following a fire.

Germany News Western Europe

Concert

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Concert

Frankfurt marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with a concert by the Roma and Sinti Philharmonic. The event was dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust and carries a strong message: memory is not the past, but the responsibility to prevent hatred and war. Representatives of German institutions emphasized the importance of the culture of remembrance and its transmission to young generations. Music has become a bridge between peoples and a reminder that forgetting leads to repetition.

Germany News Western Europe

Documentary

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Documentary

The impressive film by Melanie Spitta and Katrin Seybold sheds light on the persecution of the German Sinti during National Socialism, as well as the challenges and resistance associated with coming to terms with this dark chapter.

News Western Europe Spain

Roma in Spain

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Roma in Spain

An overview of the current situation, progress, and challenges faced by Roma in Spain.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Not many news this week in France about Roma. Two very different articles on so-called insertions villages in Western France. One, with a positive twist in Saint Herblain, one with a hint of a strong opposition at local level in Orvault. Finally, a debate about Roma from Romania with an association that helps them but unfortunately also perpetuates some stereotypes.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Almost nothing this week on Roma in France. A single article over a site for the reintegration for Roma families.

Cyprus News Western Europe

Roma in Cyprus

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Roma in Cyprus

The council of Europe is raising concerns about Roma in Cyprus, where they are not recognised as a minority. Many of them originally came from Bulgaria after the split of the island.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece, Police, and Roma

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Greece, Police, and Roma

Since November 15, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has deployed police officers to 152 areas inhabited by Roma across the country. These “prevention and mediation teams,” as the government calls them, are composed of 473 police officers and 50 mediators tasked with serving as a bridge between law enforcement and the Roma community. They have begun patrolling in the provinces, Thessaloniki, and Attica, and are responsible for monitoring the camps 24/7, conducting preventative checks, and informing Roma citizens about administrative procedures or directing them to social services.

In brief, a special police for Roma settlements.

Germany News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania

Germany: Reportage

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Germany: Reportage

or 18 years, Jenny Rasche from the Harz Mountains has been dedicated to helping Roma children in Romania, where she now lives. Through her efforts, a slum on the outskirts of Sibiu has been completely transformed; Roma children without prospects have grown into young adults with a future. For her work, this dynamic woman was honored with the Kindernothilfe (Children in Need) Honorary Award on November 14, 2025. Reporter Antje Schneider also closely documented this work for years in the MDR series “Jenny and the Roma Children,” which can be viewed in the ARD Mediathek (ARD Media Library).

Germany News Western Europe

Exhibition in Germany

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Exhibition in Germany

Diepholz’ district museum is dedicating a special exhibition to Mariechen Franz, a sintiza who died shortly before her 17th birthday in 1944 in Ravensbrück. The exhibition will open next Saturday. The exhibition thematises the persecution of Sinti and Roma under the Nazi based on the example of Mariechen Franz.

Austria News Western Europe

Austrian Memorial

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Austrian Memorial

The musician and activist Harri Stojka is calling for the swift construction of a memorial for Roma and Sinti in Austria at Schmerlingplatz in Vienna. “There, at a historically significant location in the heart of Vienna, a visible symbol of remembrance and recognition should be erected.”

Austria News Western Europe

Lackenbach

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Lackenbach

On Saturday, the Roma and Sinti who were murdered during the National Socialist regime were commemorated in Lackenbach. Along with numerous state politicians, the Minister of Justice, Anna Sporrer (SPÖ), participated. Of the 4,000 Roma and Sinti who were interned in the Lackenbach camp since the summer of 1940, only 300 to 400 survived the liberation of the camp in the summer of 1945.

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Almost no news about Roma this week in France. An expulsion, five days before the winter expulsion truce in France. And a testimony of a Romni who was deported to the French camp of Rivesaltes and who says the French were worse than the German.

Germany News Western Europe

Germany and Memorial Sites

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Germany and Memorial Sites

The German Federal Cabinet has adopted a new concept for memorial sites commemorating the crimes of National Socialism and the injustices committed in the GDR. Since there are fewer and fewer living witnesses, younger generations are to be informed using digitization, for example, with holograms of eyewitnesses. The concept also focuses on preserving historical sites and promoting education and research through new exhibition formats.

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