Category Archives: News Western Europe
Sinti in Germany
Romani Rose commented in detail about the conflict between the Heidelberg-based Central Council of German Sinti and Roma and the federal association founded two years ago. The dispute led to the planned state treaty and the financing of the conversion and new construction of the Documentation Centre for German Sinti and Roma being put on hold. Romani Rose calls on the federal government to face up to its responsibilities and support the Central Council’s commitment rather than blocking it.
- Romani Rose zum Streit zwischen den Sinti-Dachverbänden. In: SWR Aktuell. 31.10.2023. https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/baden-wuerttemberg/mannheim/romani-rose-zum-streit-zwischen-den-sinti-dachverbaenden-100.html
- Streit der Sinti und Roma-Verbände: Romani Rose kritisiert Politik. In: SWR Aktuell. 31.10.2023. https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/baden-wuerttemberg/mannheim/streit-zwischen-sinti-und-roma-dachverbaenden-100.html
Integration in Berlin
In 2011, the former so-called “Rat House of Neukölln” was bought by a Catholic housing company. Since then, Roma and non-Roma have been living there together at reasonable rents. The housing project is considered a successful model of integration.
- Gelungene Integration. In: Deutschlandfunk. 31.10.2023. https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/vom-rattenhaus-zum-vorzeigeprojekt-roma-integration-in-berlin-neukoelln-dlf-kultur-96b53122-100.html
French Chronicle …
Not much news in the French Press about Roma. People in Nantes, in Western France are mobilising to fight against the expulsion of a Roma camp without decent housing alternatives. Other than that, 70 caravans are squatting the parking of a high school in Savoie, and 6 Roma arrested near Paris for a series of burglaries.
- Des parents mobilisés contre l’expulsion des Roms à Nantes. In: France Live. 28.10.2023. https://www.francelive.fr/teaser/ouest-france/des-parents-mobilises-contre-lexpulsion-des-roms-a-nantes-8247125/
- À Nantes, ils soutiennent les familles Roms menacées d’expulsion. In: France Live. 27.1o.2023. https://www.francelive.fr/teaser/ouest-france/a-nantes-ils-soutiennent-les-familles-roms-menacees-dexpulsion-8245400/
- Près de 70 caravanes occupent illégalement le parking d’un collège à Cranves-Sales, en Haute-Savoie. In: FR3. 22.10.2023. https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/haute-savoie/annemasse/pres-de-70-caravanes-occupent-illegalement-le-parking-d-un-college-a-cranves-sales-en-haute-savoie-2860880.html
- Cambriolages dans le Val-d’Oise : six interpellés dans un camp sauvage de Roms d’Éragny. In: La gazette du val d’Oise. 23.10.2023. https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/eragny_95218/cambriolages-dans-le-val-d-oise-six-interpelles-dans-un-camp-sauvage-de-roms-d-eragny_60245928.html
Genova and the Integration of Roma
A study by the university of Padua, Italy, surveyed Roma in Genova. There are of course Sinti Piemontese, Bosnian Roma, and more recently arrivals from Romania.
According to research by the University of Padua, conducted as part of the European Hero project, whose leader is Liberitutti Cooperativa Sociale, “of the Roma and Sinti communities present in the city, those relocated following the dismantling of the camp in via Adamoli appear to be the more integrated and recognised, even at an institutional level”.
So if they are given good living conditions, they integrate. What a surprise …
- Integrazione di rom e sinti a Genova, una ricerca universitaria per conoscere le comunità e superare gli stereotipi. In: Il Secolo XIX. 28.10.2023. https://www.ilsecoloxix.it/genova/2023/10/28/news/integrazione_rom_sinti_genova_ricerca_universitaria-13815752/
Greece and Roma
The Onassis Foundation House presents in October and November a series of actions that highlight the issues of the Roma community in Greece.
A performance – Romáland, a VR experience – On the road to Colonos, a film – Sam Roma: We Are Gypsies and a discussion available online for some months “Roma without mediation” ask questions and talk directly about the problems but also the dynamics of the Roma, giving the speech and the space to the individuals of the community itself.
- Στέγη ιδρύματος Ωνάση: Ο λόγος στους Ρομά. In: Skai. 27.10.2023. https://www.skai.gr/news/culture/idryma-onasi-o-logos-stous-roma#google_vignette
Germany and Racism
In Germany, the number of reported crimes and discrimination against Sinti and Roma is increasing. The German federal government’s antigypsy commissioner complains about everyday racism that cuts across all areas of society. An interview with Mehmet Daimagüler about causes and solutions.
- Antiziganismus-Beauftragter: “Täglicher Rassismus gegen Sinti und Roma”. In: Web.de. 23.10.2023. https://web.de/magazine/politik/antiziganismus-beauftragter-taeglicher-rassismus-sinti-roma-38781626
Germany and a Murder
In 1972, the small village of Niederthann in the Pfaffenhofen district became the scene of a crime: four shots were fired, a young, pregnant Romni lost her life, and another was seriously injured. The historian and author Hans Woller has reconstructed the criminal case and will read from his new book “Hunting Scenes from Niederthann” on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Ingolstadt city library. A lesson about racism.”
- Historiker Hans Woller liest aus „Jagdszenen aus Niederthann“. In: Donau Kurier. 22.10.2023. https://www.donaukurier.de/lokales/ingolstadt/historiker-hans-woller-liest-aus-jagdszenen-aus-niederthann-14619363
French Chronicle …
Not much this week in France on Roma. This is usual, if there are enough other news… In Toulouse, the 10thedition of Rencont’roms in the Balcanika festival. In Marseilles, schoolchildren not being able to do sports as the sports hall is being squatted by Roma; in the same city, 4 squats were evicted. Near Paris, a large open air garbage dump on the site of a former Roma camp is being cleaned up. Of course, it was all left by the Roma who lived there. Finally, two Romanian Roma who were stealing scrap metal were condemned in Niort.
- Rencont’roms nous : 10 ans déjà ! Médiathèque Empalot Toulouse, 14 novembre 2023, Toulouse. In: Unidivers. https://www.unidivers.fr/event/mediatheque-empalot-toulouse-2023-11-14t0600000100-2/
- Sans gymnase depuis un an et demi à Marseille, les élèves de Massenet privés de sports. In: Ici France Bleu. 18.10.2023. https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/sans-gymnase-depuis-un-an-et-demi-a-marseille-les-eleves-de-massenet-sont-prives-de-sports-3100051
- À la Madrague-Ville, quatre squats bientôt expulses. In: La Marseillaise. 19.10.2023. https://www.lamarseillaise.fr/societe/a-la-madrague-ville-quatre-squats-bientot-expulses-ML14686875
- Nettoyage, dépollution : la gigantesque décharge d’Ermenonville dans l’Oise inquiète. In: Le Parisien. 15.10.2023. https://www.leparisien.fr/oise-60/nettoyage-depollution-la-gigantesque-decharge-dermenonville-dans-loise-inquiete-15-10-2023-YVP3PJNDWJD5TGLTHZWNRKGOC4.php
- Ils volaient des métaux et du carburant dans deux déchetteries du Nord-Deux-Sèvres. In: La Nouvelle République. 20.10.2023. https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/deux-sevres/ils-volaient-des-metaux-et-du-carburant-dans-deux-dechetteries-du-nord-deux-sevres
Our People
An exhibition in the Ingolstadt City Museum from Sunday, October 22nd deals with the persecution of the Sinti and Roma from the Ingolstadt region before, during and after National Socialism. The so-called “second persecution” after 1945 is also discussed: the long road to recognition of the genocide, the fight for compensation and against the police “special registration”.
- Ausstellungsbeginn „Unsere Menschen“. In: Stadt Ingolstadt. 21.10.2023. https://www.ingolstadt.de/index.php?object=tx,2789.5&ModID=7&FID=2789.21962.1&NavID=2789.411
Daniel Libeskind
The architect Daniel Libeskind was awarded the European Sinti and Roma Civil Rights Prize.
- Architekt Daniel Libeskind mit dem Europäischen Bürgerrechtspreis der Sinti und Roma ausgezeichnet. In: Presseportal. 18.10.2023. https://www.presseportal.de/pm/128332/5629279
- Libeskind: Hass darf die Demokratie nicht untergraben. In; RTL. 18.10.2023. https://www.rtl.de/cms/libeskind-hass-darf-die-demokratie-nicht-untergraben-fb9a237a-f270-5624-8b3d-9320231fd6ed.html
- Bürgerrechtspreis der Sinti und Roma für Architekt Libeskind. In: WDR. 18.10.2023. https://www1.wdr.de/kultur/kulturnachrichten/preis-buergerrechte-sinti-roma-100.html
- Hass darf die Demokratie nicht untergraben. In: Berliner Zeitung. 18.10.2023. https://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/article239832793/Libeskind-Hass-darf-die-Demokratie-nicht-untergraben.html
Berlin, the S-Bahn, and the Memorial for Roma Victims
There is still opposition to the current plans for the new S-Bahn in Berlin which passes very near to the memorial for the Roma victims of the Nazis as well as to other prominent landmarks.
- Promi-Aufstand gegen Bahnbaustelle in Berlin. In: Berliner Zeitung. 15.10.2023. https://www.bz-berlin.de/berlin/mitte/promi-aufstand-gegen-bahnbaustelle
French Chronicle …
More news this week about Roma in the French press. First a conference that will take place next week about the Genocide of the Roma during the Holocaust, and its French specificities. This is quite uncommon. In Rezé, in Western France, an open reunion between the mayor, politicians and residents about a project for Roma resulted in insults and threats against politicians. Then, more of the usual news. Near Paris, a camp that was disbanded has turned in a huge open air garbage dump; in another commune around Paris, residents are complaining of the stench created by a Roma camp; in another one, Roma were forced to leave their camp all the while being threatened and insulted by local residents; in Grenoble, a camp was closed; and finally in Strasbourg, an article about row between two Romanian Roma families which ended tragically in an accident.
- Génocide et persécutions des Roms et Sinti, le cas français en perspective. In: DNA> https://www.dna.fr/pour-sortir/loisirs/Rencontre-conference/Conferences/Alsace/Bas-rhin/Strasbourg/2023/10/17/Genocide-et-persecutions-des-roms-et-sinti-le-cas-francais-en-perspective
- La réunion publique pour l’accueil de familles roms s’envenime, des élus de Rezé “menacés de mort”. In: France Bleu. 10.10.2023. https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/politique/la-reunion-publique-pour-l-accueil-de-familles-roms-s-envenime-des-elus-de-reze-menaces-de-mort-9037490
- Les Roms partis, ce bidonville s’est transformé en décharge géante dans l’Oise. In: Actu Oise. 11.10.2023. https://actu.fr/hauts-de-france/ermenonville_60213/le-roms-partis-ce-bidonville-s-est-transforme-en-decharge-geante-dans-l-oise_60193435.html
- « On ne peut plus ouvrir nos fenêtres » : à Gentilly, les WC du camp de Roms empestent dans tout le voisinage. In: Le Parisien. 11.10.2023. https://www.leparisien.fr/val-de-marne-94/on-ne-peut-plus-ouvrir-nos-fenetres-a-gentilly-les-wc-du-camp-de-roms-empestent-dans-tout-le-voisinage-11-10-2023-GEEM62LJL5HF3ERPHWWX7X2PEU.php
- À Vémars, les familles Roms ont quitté le terrain près de l’A 1 sous les cris de haine des habitants. In: Le Parisien. 10.10.2023. https://www.leparisien.fr/val-d-oise-95/a-vemars-les-familles-roms-ont-quitte-le-terrain-pres-de-la-1-sous-les-cris-de-haine-des-habitants-10-10-2023-BELY5VBLRND4LDUAMDQNLQDIDQ.php
- Grenoble : le bidonville installé sur le parking du Clos d’Or évacué. In: Place Grenet. 12.10.2023. https://www.placegrenet.fr/2023/10/12/grenoble-le-bidonville-installe-sur-le-parking-du-clos-dor-evacue/615586
- Course-poursuite mortelle au Port-du-Rhin : la justice rom en coulisses. In: DNA: 12.10.2023. https://www.dna.fr/faits-divers-justice/2023/10/12/course-poursuite-mortelle-au-port-du-rhin-la-justice-rom-en-coulisses
German Railways and Roma
The head of the German Railways visited the Sinti and Roma Documentation centre. He stated there is no place in the railways for antitziganism.
- Bahn duldet im Unternehmen keinen Antiziganismus. In: RNZ. 13.10.2023. https://www.rnz.de/politik/suedwest_artikel,-Besuch-bei-Sinti-und-Roma-in-Heidelberg-Bahn-duldet-im-Unternehmen-keinen-Antiziganismus-_arid,1207472.html
Austria and Travellers
The usual story that Travellers leave a mess in their camping sites. Here, near Linz.
- Sinti & Roma vermüllen Durchreiseplatz schon wieder. In: MSN. 11.10.2023. https://www.msn.com/de-at/nachrichten/other/sinti-roma-vermüllen-durchreiseplatz-schon-wieder/ar-AA1i1Z0j
Italy: Relocation
A camp of Sinti is being relocated in Val Polcevera, near Genova. Several political parties and members of the local council haves asked the mayor to reconsider the decision, as a relocation doesn’t solve any problems.
- Spostamento del campo Sinti di Bolzaneto, Pd all’attacco: “Avviare percorso coi i cittadini, spostare non risolve i problemi”. In: Genova 24. 11.10.2023. https://www.genova24.it/2023/10/spostamento-del-campo-sinti-di-bolzaneto-pd-allattacco-avviare-percorso-coi-i-cittadini-spostare-non-risolve-i-problemi-359788/
Hannover and Roma
Another article with details on how the city of Hannover systematically discriminated against Roma.
- Hannover vertrieb Roma.In: ND. 09.10.2023. https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1176874.studie-zu-antiziganismus-hannover-vertrieb-roma.html
French Chronicle …
Not much this week either in France about Roma. Near Paris, Roma in a small camp are facing insults and threats; in Toulouse, another edition of Rencont’roms is planned for mid-November; and finally, an article on pickpockets in Nice, some of which are Romnja.
- Insultes, intimidations, menaces : les Roms de nouveau pris à partie par des habitants près de Villeron. In: Le Parisien. 03.10.2023. https://www.leparisien.fr/val-d-oise-95/insultes-intimidations-menaces-les-roms-de-nouveau-pris-a-partie-par-des-habitants-pres-de-villeron-03-10-2023-2XPPGFRVIVHGXCZGI3XJC6Q5KI.php
- Rencont’roms nous : 10 ans déjà ! Médiathèque Empalot Toulouse, 14 novembre 2023, Toulouse. In: Uni Divers. https://www.unidivers.fr/event/mediatheque-empalot-toulouse-2023-11-14t0600000100/
- “Ce sont de pauvres gamines, mais elles font des ravages”: comment “travaillent” les petites mains des réseaux de pickpockets. In: Nice-Matin. 05.10.2023. https://www.nicematin.com/transports/-ce-sont-de-pauvres-gamines-mais-elles-font-des-ravages-comment-travaillent-les-petites-mains-des-reseaux-de-pickpockets-877054
Germany: Hannover Discrimination
Criminal charges were filed against the city of Hannover for discrimination against Sinti and Roma.
- Stadt Hannover bekommt Strafanzeige wegen Diskriminierung von Sinti und Roma. In: HAZ. 07.10.2023. https://www.haz.de/lokales/hannover/strafanzeige-gegen-stadt-hannover-wegen-diskriminierung-von-sinti-und-roma-3TQAUVEBDNCSLK6KZSSWK6TN74.html
Germany and the Sinti Romanes
The Romanes of the Sinti is closely interwoven with the Koblenz subculture. As kickboxing world champion, Marlon Reinhardt often lets his fists do the talking. But the 32-year-old is also intensively involved in the Sinti community.
- „Latscho Diewes“ mit Marlon Reinhardt: Wie die Sprache der Sinti Koblenz prägt. In: Rhein Zeitung. 06.10.2023. https://www.rhein-zeitung.de/region/rheinland-pfalz/podcast_artikel,-latscho-diewes-mit-marlon-reinhardt-wie-die-sprache-der-sinti-koblenz-praegt-_arid,2582696.html
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