An exhibition presenting the roots and traditions of Roma culture through the works of Hungarian painter and poet János Balázs (1905-1977) has opened in Brussels.
Another article on the villas of the Roma Mafia Clan of Casamonica.
Knowing that all the members of the clan are in jail, and have been so for several years, and knowing that these villas and their pictures have been shown numerous times since, one cannot but wonder what the purpose of such articles is.
The story of a young Romni from Ingolstadt, as told by her daughter.
Many articles this week in France on Roma, but in fact, only three stories: In Montpellier, future neighbours of a “transition” camp blocked the worksite, and the prefect who created this issue by closing many other camps talks about “solidarity”. In the Southeast, after Roma left a camp and left tons of garbage, an appeal to clean up. Finally, in Bordeaux, a controverse as to whether there is an increase or a decrease of slums.
Thessaloniki Appellate Court judgement of 31 January 2022 reversed the decision of the lower court not to evict Roma families from the “Tsairia” area of Thermaikos Municipality near Thessaloniki. In February 2020, following the initial trial for eviction by the Mayor of Thermaikos, Roma won a reprieve.
Let’s now see what happens.
This should be mandatory in all countries.
Saarbrücken granted a credit for building a memorial to the murdered Roma and Sinti.
The European Court of Human Rights accepted the application of the Roma who are facing eviction following the reversal of an earlier judgement on appeal. In fact the court asked Greece to halt the eviction and asked whether alternative lodging solutions are available.
Let’s hope.
An editorial of the Guardian on discrimination of Travellers in the UK.
Roma and Travellers are accusing the UK government of duplicity, on one side condemning Jimmy Carr’s statements and on the other, implementing a new law that makes trespassing a criminal offence and that threatens the Traveller’s way of life.
A review of a Channel 4 documentary “60 Days with the Gypsies”. Well, the documentary reinforces some stereotypes, but the reporter did somehow change his mind and came to be with his origins …
The Roma victims of the February 5th, 1995 attack were commemorated in Oberwart on Sunday afternoon. Four Roma from Oberwart were killed by a pipe bomb disguised as a standing sign. The attack was racially motivated.
Last, a book for children featuring a young Romni – Luludja (sic. Normally, in Romanes, the first name would be Luludji [flower] not in plural) – but also strengthening the stereotypes. Clearly she comes from Romania (all Roma are from there for the French) in search for a better live, lands in camps etc.
Sometimes, these books are counterproductive.
Not much this week, which in itself is good. The music festival “Welcome en Tsiganie” celebrates its 15th upcoming edition, although frankly, it also perpetuates some clichés about Roma. Other than that, a peasant angry at Roma for littering his field near Paris; in the South, a violent fight between 4 Kosovo Roma; also in the South, a mayor tries to hinder Roma from setting up new camps by mobilising hunters (yes!); in Grenoble, another squat; and finally, in the north, 3 Roma arrested for suspected stealing of metal from cemeteries have been freed.
Following the disgusting statement of Jimmy Carr on the Holocaust, news laws could in the future curb these kind of statements an make Netflix liable.
The theater association “Romano Svato” was founded ten years ago by Simonida and Sandra Selimović. Since then, the sisters have become icons of the theatre world.
Needless to say, the press coverage is negative…
A court in Germany concluded that racial profiling is not correct and forbidden in the case of the control of a young man from Guinea. Racial profiling also affects Roma.
Good.
Roma have one of the lowest children covid vaccination rate in the UK, at 12%.
Bad.
Pretty usual week in France on Roma. Still several articles about the new “transition village”, i.e. new Roma camp now that the others have been forcefully closed in Montpellier. Near Paris, a fire raged in a camp. In Grenoble, the mayor wants to prevent a new Roma camp after the large fire that spread to industrial buildings. In the North, a commune thinks it has done enough, and the police catches a gang of metal thieves operating in cemmetaries.
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