Category Archives: News Western Europe

Austria News Western Europe

Chris the Painter

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Chris the Painter

Chris the Painter, also known as Christian Dumitrasku, creates diverse artworks, including portraits and depictions of Roma musicians, from his studio in Vienna.

He emphasizes the importance of remembering the history of the Roma community, particularly the Holocaust, and engages with his social media followers for inspiration and feedback.

Despite facing discrimination online, Chris remains committed to his art and aims to educate others about Roma culture and history through his work and future exhibitions.

Austria News Western Europe

House of Ethnic Groups

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House of Ethnic Groups

The new House of Ethnic Groups in Oberwart, Austria,  will officially open on September 26, coinciding with the European Day of Languages, promoting cultural diversity.

The center unites various organizations representing Burgenland’s ethnic groups, including Croatian, Hungarian, and Roma communities, providing facilities for cultural activities and collaboration.

The opening event will feature a public open house, allowing visitors to explore the new facilities and learn about the work of the involved organizations.

Bosnia France News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Hamidovic Clan

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Hamidovic Clan

Seven members of the Hamidovic family are on trial in Paris for human trafficking, organized theft, corruption of minors, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy, accused of forcing children to steal in specific locations.

The clan, known for exploiting young girls, allegedly coerced children under 13 to steal up to 300 euros daily, using violence and threats to ensure compliance.

Previous operations against the clan have led to convictions, and the current trial focuses on the nephew of a previously convicted leader, indicating ongoing criminal activities.

They are Bosnian Roma. It is really bad.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

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Greece and Roma

On September 15, mayors from the municipalities of Thermi and Thermaikos met with Michael O’Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, to discuss the living conditions of Roma communities in the area.

The mayors expressed concerns about the dire conditions in the Roma settlement in Tsairia, including lack of electricity and water, and highlighted issues of crime and inadequate policing.

O’Flaherty emphasized the importance of social services in supporting the Roma and called for collaboration with local authorities to improve their living conditions and ensure children’s education.

O’Flaherty highlighted the ongoing human rights violations faced by Roma, including lack of access to healthcare and educational segregation, and called for Europe to wake up to these issues.

The exhibition, showcasing the lives and rights of Roma and Travellers, will be held in Thessaloniki until September 18, 2026, featuring works by photographers George Moutafis and Candice Imbert.

Ireland News Western Europe

Ireland, Travellers and Roma

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Ireland, Travellers and Roma

The Irish government has announced an expansion of the Traveller and Roma Local Employment Initiative Pilot Scheme, aimed at improving employment opportunities for these communities in Longford.

Seetec has been selected to deliver this initiative, providing tailored support to help Traveller and Roma individuals overcome barriers to employment.

The initiative is seen as a significant step towards enhancing access to job opportunities for marginalized groups in the region.

Italy News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania

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.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

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Greece and Roma

During a concert in Thessaloniki, singer Antonis Remos humorously referenced politician Afroditi Latinopoulou in relation to the Gipsy Kings’ performance, linking it to her public dispute with Roma singer Vasilis Paiteris over her use of the term “gypsies” (she used the Greek derogatory giftoi).

Remos suggested that Latinopoulou would be the ideal political figure to attend the concert, eliciting laughter from the audience.

In response, Latinopoulou posted a video on Instagram stating she chose not to attend the concert in protest of the band’s name, expressing she would have attended if it were called “Roma Kings.”

France News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Not many news this week in France on Roma. Only two relevant articles, apart from the le Monde reportage. One in Nantes where a restaurant owner tries to block Roma from putting their camping cars in front of his restaurant, and another also near Nantes, where Roma are squating in a wood and are cutting trees.

France News Western Europe

The Hamidović Clan

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The Hamidović Clan

A reportage from le Monde on the Hamidović clan, Roma from Bosnia, mostly located in France, who engage in widespread theft / pickpocket activities. Woemn are sent to steal, men spend the money. A really sad story, as this re-inforces the stereotypes on Roma in general.

But a true story too, and a story that may have been different had it not been a civil war in Bosnia who dispalced them all.

Germany News Western Europe

Sinti in Duisburg

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Sinti in Duisburg

Sinti families have been residing in Duisburg since the 1970s, living in container homes.

They are currently facing fears of being displaced from their homes.

The situation has led to increasing desperation among the Sinti community.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece: Motion

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Greece: Motion

Four members of the New Left party in Greece raised concerns in Parliament about alleged racist targeting of Roma by the Greek police during the “ENTOΣ” operation, particularly regarding the attempted eviction of a Roma community in Thessaloniki.

The European Commissioner for Human Rights has intervened, highlighting police practices that involve heavily armed forces in areas associated with Roma, raising issues of ethnic targeting and police violence.

The MPs are demanding detailed reports from the government on the number of police checks, arrests, and legal proceedings involving the Roma community, questioning the justification for the extensive police actions given the relatively small number of arrests compared to the population.

Italy News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania

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.

Austria News Western Europe

Travellers and Religion

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Travellers and Religion

Over 200 caravans are gathered in Ried im Innkreis, Austria, for a summer holiday organized by the free Christian church association Jeschua, attracting travelers from various German states.

The two-week event, themed “Traveling with God,” includes daily worship services in a large tent church, fostering a sense of community among participants, many of whom have roots in Austria or Germany.

Pastor Karl Schmidt highlights the challenges of discrimination faced by the Sinti and Roma communities, while emphasizing the importance of understanding individual groups rather than generalizing based on negative stereotypes.

Germany News Western Europe

Romanity

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Romanity

Renate Bürner interviews Radoslav Ganev, a founder of the Romanity association, discussing the organization’s concerns and projects.

The conversation focuses on raising awareness about the prejudices and images surrounding the 600-year history of Sinti and Roma in Germany and other countries, which continue to lead to discrimination and violence.

The discussion also addresses the need for a proper remembrance culture of the genocide and the societal and cultural contributions of the Sinti and Roma.

Germany News Western Europe

Reactions to the AfD win in Germany

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Reactions to the AfD win in Germany

Politicians from Baden-Württemberg view the AfD’s electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt as a significant shift, with concerns about its implications for democracy and governance in Germany.

The Central Council of German Sinti and Roma expresses fears of a resurgence of nationalism and a threat to democracy, linking the AfD’s rise to historical minimization of the Nazi era.

Austria News Western Europe

Coexistence

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Coexistence

Austrian Minister for integration Claudia Bauer presented a new survey on coexistence in Austria, which has been criticized for questionable methods and results.

The online survey was conducted by pollster Peter Hajek and social scientist Rudolf Bretschneider for the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF).

What is controversial? Well, that only 11% of respondents declared having a migration background, whereas in Austria, this is closer to 29%. But the article presents one of the best critique about the question “who can be my neighbour”. The journalist notes that actually what is missing are “racists”, “nazis” and other “extrem-right” …

Well spotted.

Germany News Western Europe

AfD and Minorities

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AfD and Minorities

The director of ERIAC, Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, warns that the recent election victory of the far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt signifies the normalization of racism in Germany, particularly against Roma.

She highlights the historical targeting of Roma, referencing the Nazi era, and notes that the AfD’s use of derogatory terms like ‘Zigeuner’ reflects a growing anti-Roma sentiment.

Mirga-Kruszelnicka expresses concern over the AfD’s nativist agenda and the potential for increased discrimination and deportation of Roma, despite many having deep roots in Germany.

Italy News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania

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.

Greece News Western Europe

Thessaly and Roma

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Thessaly and Roma

The Meeting of the Roma Federation of Thessaly with the Deputy Regional Governor Andriana Komitsa focused on initiatives by the Thessaly Region to support vulnerable social groups, particularly the Roma community, addressing issues like education, health, and employment.

Emphasis was placed on targeted interventions tailored to local Roma community needs, combating social exclusion, and improving access to services.

The discussion included the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration between the Thessaly Region and the Roma Federation to enhance the living conditions of Roma families.

Denmark Europe News Western Europe

Omacom and Omarchy

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Omacom and Omarchy

Danish entrepreneur David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH), creator of Ruby on Rails, founder of Omarchy and CTO of 37Signals, faced backlash for comparing Roma to ‘wolves’ and advocating for their deportation in a blog post, which has sparked controversy around his company 1Password’s support for the Omacom Foundation.

1Password and 37signals are investing $300,000 each into the Omacom Foundation which supports Omarchy, but this decision has led to criticism from clients and employees, with some users threatening to leave the service.

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