Exhibition

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Exhibition

The exhibition “The Thread That Holds” by Romnja artist Luna De Rosa opens on July 22, 2026, at Halle 116, focusing on exclusion, discrimination, and anti-Roma stereotypes.

This is the first art exhibition in the newly created space, commemorating the Porajmos, the genocide of Sinti and Roma during the Nazi regime, which remains underrecognized.

The event includes a moderated discussion with the artist and musical accompaniment, and the exhibition runs from July 22 to October 4, 2026, with free admission during regular hours.

Internship

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Internship

The Budapest Józsefvárosi Municipality is launching an eight-month internship program for Roma youth to gain practical experience in public administration with mentorship support.

The program aims to facilitate the social integration of Roma youth into the labor market and is open to students in higher education or vocational training with ties to Józsefváros.

Interns will receive a gross monthly stipend of 215,000 HUF and will work under the guidance of experienced mentors in various municipal departments.

Greece and Settlements

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Greece and Settlements

Two articles in the Greek press on Roma settlements. The first one, descriubes the living conditions of the Roma community in Heraklion which are dire, with as rodents, harmful insects, and inadequate sanitation being reported by residents.

The president of the Roma Association “Elpida” will address these concerns at the upcoming municipal council meeting, advocating for a clean and safe environment for families.

The second one states that the European Court of Human Rights is reviewing a case involving the threatened eviction of Roma community members in Thessaloniki, Greece, without alternative housing provisions.

The case highlights broader issues of housing, forced evictions, and discrimination against Roma communities, emphasizing the need for adequate housing solutions.

The Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, argues that the eviction threat violates the right to respect for private and family life, and the case could set a precedent for protecting vulnerable communities from forced evictions.

Bulgarian Brawl

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Bulgarian Brawl

Yes another brawl between Roma families in Bulgaria. Really bad.

Seventeen individuals were detained following tensions between two Roma families in the “Iztoch” neighborhood of Dimitrovgrad.

The families had a longstanding feud that resulted in periodic conflicts, culminating in a physical altercation at a local hospital.

One person was injured and later released for home treatment, while police intervened to prevent further escalation of the violence in the area.

Massacre Survivor

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Massacre Survivor

Ribic survived a brutal attack by Serbian paramilitaries, who believed him dead and buried him with his family, but he escaped and was later saved by Serbian soldiers who refused to return him to his attackers.

The Ribic family had previously fled to Serbia to escape ethnic cleansing but returned to Bosnia, where they were ultimately killed in the Skocic massacre, a significant crime against the Roma during the Bosnian war.

The suffering of the Roma community during the war has been largely overlooked, with a recent study highlighting their persecution, and calls for justice remain unfulfilled, reflecting a historical pattern of neglect.

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)

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European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)

A Rom died during a police intervention in June 2021 after exhibiting aggressive behavior while under the influence of methamphetamine.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Czech authorities failed to adequately investigate the incident and recognized the presence of unconscious racism in the police’s actions.

The Czech state is ordered to pay compensation to the man’s sister, highlighting ongoing issues of discrimination against the Romani community in the Czech Republic.

Ethnic Cleansing

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Ethnic Cleansing

Kosovo’s Interior Minister declared Serbian Minister Snezana Paunovic persona non grata due to her controversial remarks advocating ethnic cleansing during the Kosovo War.

The EU criticized Paunovic’s statements, emphasizing that such rhetoric contradicts European values and the reconciliation process necessary for EU accession.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic distanced himself from Paunovic’s comments, while opposition parties called for her resignation, highlighting the ongoing tensions regarding ethnic relations in the region.

All this in 20926 …

Housing in Slovakia

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Housing in Slovakia

The Slovak government has launched a call for proposals aimed at improving housing for marginalized Roma communities, with a budget of 30 million euros from EU funds.

The initiative focuses on socio-economic inclusion, particularly for low-income households and disadvantaged groups, emphasizing the need for accessible housing and services.

New requirements include the necessity of a valid building permit at the time of application and specific benchmarks for technical equipment and accessibility in housing projects.

The latter point will prevent this being implemented in most Roma settlements…

Romanian High School Admissions

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Romanian High School Admissions

The Bucharest School Inspectorate published the official lists for high school admissions in 2026, revealing that over 900 candidates, including many Roma and students with special educational needs, were left without placements despite high admission averages.

Only 617 out of 1,346 Roma candidates were placed, and 186 out of 737 candidates with special educational needs also remained unplaced, highlighting a significant shortfall in available special placements.

Students who were not placed must act quickly to fill out their options for the general computerized placement, ensuring they list a sufficient number of schools to increase their chances of admission.

Commemoration

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Commemoration

A joint commemoration for the Roma genocide during the Holocaust is organised by the Józsefváros Municipality and the Roma Municipality, taking place on August 2-3, with events at Teleki László Square and the Roma Municipality theater.

The article details the historical context of the persecution of Roma during the Nazi regime, including the implementation of the Nuremberg laws and mass deportations.

The program includes speeches, music performances, and a flower-laying ceremony to honor the victims of the Roma genocide.

Brawl in Greece

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Brawl in Greece

Serious incidents occurred in the early hours of Thursday (July 16) in the Prosfygika in a refugee area of Patras, where two groups of Roma clashed, resulting in two injuries and subsequent hospitalizations, along with two arrests.

A report indicated that around midnight, near the intersection of Smyrnis and Nikaias streets, an individual snatched a chain from a woman’s neck, prompting her to call for help, which escalated into significant disturbances. Strong police forces arrived at the scene, leading to the detention of three individuals and the formation of a case against two others.

Bad for all.

Racism in Austria

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Racism in Austria

32 Ukrainian Roma children were unjustly accused of theft, highlighting issues in the integration of these children in German language classes.

The incident reflects deep-rooted anti-Roma prejudices and the inadequate response of authorities to racism allegations.

Ukrainian Roma families often have many children, and in Wals Siezenheim, all school-age children were placed in a special class, raising concerns about educational equity.

Summer Camp

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Summer Camp

A five-day summer camp in Slovenia, organized by the Creative Youth Association in collaboration with the Sports Union of Murska Sobota allowed children to explore various professions through play, creativity, and movement.

Activities included visits to local institutions such as Radio Romic, the Murska Sobota Police Station, and the Health Center, where children learned about different careers and community roles.

The camp emphasized creativity, teamwork, and respect for various professions, culminating in an exhibition of the children’s work, showcasing their experiences and new friendships formed during the camp.

Etnosur Festival

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Etnosur Festival

The Etnosur festival will kick off the filming of “Voces Gitanas desde el Sur,” a documentary aimed at highlighting the social, educational, political, and cultural contributions of the Roma community in Granada and Jaén.

The project, led by the La Comunitaria association and part of the European ROVA initiative, seeks to combat stereotypes by sharing real stories from prominent figures within the Roma community.

The filming will begin on July 18 with a cultural event featuring flamenco music and international dance, culminating in a performance by the DHOAD Gypsies of Rajasthan, promoting cultural exchange between Eastern and Western Roma roots.

Slovak Funding Cuts

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Slovak Funding Cuts

Over 1,600 people may lose their jobs due to insufficient funding for the Slovak Local Civic and Preventive Services (MOaPS) project, which primarily employs Roma individuals.

The project, which has been successful in maintaining order and employment in communities since its inception in 2014, is facing potential termination as current contracts expire.

Critics, including opposition leaders, accuse the government of failing to prioritize funding for essential community services while allocating funds to questionable projects.

Romane Media

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Romane Media

Minority media in Serbia, particularly Roma media, face existential threats due to lack of systemic support and sustainable funding, relying heavily on project-based financing.

The editor of ROMINFO media warns that the current funding system is unsustainable, jeopardizing the survival of media that serve national minorities and their cultural identity.

Experts emphasize that the disappearance of minority media would lead to a loss of reliable information for citizens in their native languages and diminish media pluralism, impacting democratic development.

Lars Lindgren

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Lars Lindgren

Lars Lindgren focused on the cultural and linguistic rights of Roma in Sweden, emphasizing the importance of preserving their identity in modern society.

His 2011 report highlighted that legal recognition is insufficient if Roma still face discrimination and fear of revealing their heritage.

Lindgren advocated for better educational resources and awareness of Roma history and culture, asserting that Roma rights are intertwined with issues of culture, recognition, and human dignity.

Erasmus in Romania

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Erasmus in Romania

Pál Boglárka and Tornai Szilárd, local officials in Székelyudvarhely / Odorheiu Secuiesc in Romania, resigned from their positions due to controversies surrounding an Erasmus+ project that allegedly favored local politicians over Roma youth.The controversy arose after a report revealed that the Erasmus project, intended to support disadvantaged youth, did not adequately benefit Roma participants, leading to public scrutiny and resignations

The mayor praised their decision as a demonstration of political responsibility, emphasizing the importance of accountability in public life.

Women Health in Hungary

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Women Health in Hungary

Romnja in Hungary face systemic control in healthcare, often losing autonomy over their bodies, exemplified by a 2006 case of forced sterilization. They experience double discrimination and skepticism from medical staff, leading to a significant loss of trust in the healthcare system, which adversely affects their health and quality of life.

The article highlights the underrepresentation of Roma women’s experiences in feminist movements and medical discussions, emphasizing the need for a more equitable healthcare system that acknowledges their unique challenges.

Corsa degli Zingari

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Corsa degli Zingari

The ‘Corsa degli Zingari’ is an ancient tradition in Abruzzo, characterized by elements of faith, devotion, and competition, officially presented for the 2026 edition scheduled for September 6 in Pacentro.

The event, dedicated to the worship of the Madonna di Loreto, attracts many participants who run barefoot through challenging terrain, showcasing the blend of sacred and profane elements in the culture.

Local officials emphasize the event’s growing international recognition and its role in promoting tourism and cultural heritage in the region.

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