Category Archives: News Western Europe

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

In Besançon, in Eastern France, the Roma community commemorated the 13th of June marking the expulsion of Roma from Kosovo in 1999. In Toulouse, in the Southwest of France, a camp that has been standing for 19 years will soon be closed. 130 Romanian Roma families will lose their houses.

Finally, an article about racism in France that seems to be less prevalent than expected. Racism seems to go together with the fear of migrants.

Research Position

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Research Position

The Department of History at Heidelberg University (Center for European History and Cultural Studies) is offering a research fellowship (“Romani Rose Fellowship”) at the Research Center on Antiziganism with an annual grant of EUR 20,000.00. The fellowship begins on January 1, 2026 (doctoral fellowship) or, depending on the researcher, between January 1 and May 1, 2026 (postdoctoral fellowship).

Germany and Antigypsyism

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Germany and Antigypsyism

Michael Brand, a CDU politician, will become Commissioner Against Antigypsyism. Until very recently, it was feared that the new German government would abolish the office of Commissioner Against Antigypsyism. It seems that the deal is now done, and Brand will replace Mehmet Daimagueler.

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

The usual French things. First, an “explanation” of the French confusion between Roma, Tsiganes, Manouches, and Gitans. Well, the explanation is worthless. In Strasbourg, they are trying to integrate Roma, lodging them in better housing and making sure the children are educated. Finally, one large Roma camp in Toulouse, in the South of France will be closed. Of course, without any planned relocation.

Roma and Reisende Students in Sweden

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Roma and Reisende Students in Sweden

A new project is furthering the interactions between Vlach Roma and local Reisende students in Sweden. Reisende are the descendants of Roma deported from nowadays UK but also of Sinti, and are closely related also to the Finnish and Baltic Roma.

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

In Nantes, in Western France, a new “insertion village” for Roma who previously lived in some of the camps around the city is being created. Its neighbours are not happy. In Toulose, a  camp that has existed for 15 years will be closed soon.

More on Appleby Horse Fair

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More on Appleby Horse Fair

Several articles about the traditional yearly horse fair in Appleby, UK where Roma and Travellers meet. Lots of pictures.

Appleby Horse fair

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Appleby Horse fair

The largest horse fair and gathering of travellers and Roma in the UK is almost there. A guide to it. But alos a tabloid article about communities barricading, the usual stereotypical rants.

Bad.

France, Roma, and Bulgaria

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France, Roma, and Bulgaria

The French Institute of Bulgaria is opening its doors to Roma culture from June 2 to 5, 2025. Through screenings and evenings of discussions, this series will highlight their history, creativity, and the diversity of their artistic expressions across Europe.

Unfortunately, being French, they bring a baggage of stereotypes starting with the names of “Roms, Tsiganes, Manouches, Bohémiens, Romanichels, Sintis, Gitans…” And then go on with saying that Roma reside in Europe since the XVth century.  This in Bulgaria, one of the cradles of Roma culture as part of the Byzantine Empire where Roma have been for more than a thousand year.

One can only wish that journalists manage to learn something at some point …

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Unfortunately, the usual in France: Closure of 3 Roma camps in the north near Lille, with the question for Roma about where to go next; a new Roma squat in Villeurbanne near Lyon; and in Toulouse, another camp will be soon dismantled.

Germany and Antigypsysm

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Germany and Antigypsysm

The German government is effectively abolishing the position of Commissioner for Combating Antigypsyism. The position will not be filled, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Family Affairs told taz. Mehmet Daimagüler, who held the position until a few weeks ago, told taz: “Abolishing the office would be a slap in the face for the Sinti and Roma in Germany.”

Saintes-Marie de la Mer: 

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Saintes-Marie de la Mer: 

A brawl between two families during the pilgrimage of the Saintes-Marie de la Mer resulted in shots being fired, with two people seriously wounded and some others hit by baseball bats.

Bad.

French Chronicle …

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French Chronicle …

Not much this week about Roma in France. Another article about Roma in Nantes protesting their expulsion as they are working, and another one about a fire in a Roma camp in Lille, in Northern France.

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