News Eastern Europe Romania

Traditions

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Traditions

Andreea Tudor, a young Romani woman, shared her strict childhood rules and traditions on TikTok, highlighting the responsibilities placed on her from a young age.

She explained that after the age of 12, she was no longer seen as a child and had to take on household duties, while also facing restrictions on her clothing choices and friendships.

Her video sparked significant online reactions, with many viewers learning about Romani customs for the first time and appreciating her openness about her experiences.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Kali Sara

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Kali Sara

The Roma Alliance in the Republic of Croatia “KALI SARA” has issued a public call to citizens, institutions, researchers and organizations from all over Europe to propose new personalities for the updated edition of the publication “Traces of Roma Culture – Meritorious Among Us”, which is one of the most important publications dedicated to the preservation of Roma history, culture and identity.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Is it Normal?

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Is it Normal?

Zoran Stevanović, before becoming the president of the Slovenian parliament, made various controversial statements online as a local politician.

In a specific post, he said: Bratje Romi, ena 5G antena vsebuje 10 kg bakra in celo pol kg platine. Pa ponoči jih noben ne čuva. Samo da veste. Brothers Roma, one 5G antenna contains 10 kg of copper and even half a kg of platinum. And no one guards them at night. Just so you know.

His comments reflect a longstanding attitude rather than a new development after his election to the national assembly.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Attack

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Attack

Several articles in the Slovenian press about a violent incident where a 28 years old man was injured and needed to he hospitalised. The attackers were apparently Roma, but the police confirmed that the attack was not random and involved individuals who knew each other.

Bad reporting, and bad news…

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Te Prindžaras Amen

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Te Prindžaras Amen

The 22nd edition of the festival “Te prindžaras amen – Let’s Get to Know Each Other” will focus on traditional dance forms of various Roma groups in Slovakia, taking place on July 12 at the Slovak Village Museum in Martin.

Visitors will learn about Roma dance folklore from educators and will have the opportunity to see performances from established Roma dance ensembles and musicians.

The event will also feature a photography exhibition by respected Roma journalist Roman Čonka, showcasing the lives of notable Roma musicians and artists, along with workshops for children.

Greece News Western Europe

Brawl in Hospital

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Brawl in Hospital

Several articles in the Greek press about a brawl in a hospital where family members of a Rom protested when his cat scan was delayed due to other emergencies. This resulted in increased police patrols, but to no arrests.

Bad.

Netherlands News Western Europe

Roma Identity and Archive Infrastructure

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Roma Identity and Archive Infrastructure

The Roma Identity & Archive Infrastructure was introduced in The Hague as a solution for Roma individuals lacking sufficient documentation to prove their identity and heritage.

The initiative aims to create a reliable population register for Roma, enabling official documentation issuance and assisting government agencies in identifying individuals of Roma descent.

The project seeks to expand globally, providing support to Roma communities and foreign authorities in identity verification and documentation processes.

In our view, this is dangerous, and will not bring much. Having legal documents is the duty of the states, and has nothing to do with Roma. As for the Romani identity, well, how and who will decide?

Hungary News Eastern Europe

5th International Roma Music Day

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5th International Roma Music Day

The 5th International Day of Gypsy Music will take place on August 8, connecting 11 venues across 7 countries, with Budapest as the main hub.

The festival aims to celebrate the diversity of Roma music, featuring nearly 30 artists and free concerts, despite financial challenges in Hungary’s cultural scene.

The event honors the late Esma Redžepova, a prominent figure in Romani music, and includes a tradition of simultaneous performances of the international Romani anthem, “Gelem, Gelem.”

Would be nice if they did not use the “Gypsy” or even worse, the “Z”-word …

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Racism in Serbia

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Racism in Serbia

A video from Šabac shows a woman physically assaulting a Roma boy while using racist insults, sparking outrage on social media in Serbia.

The attacker, K. S., admitted to the incident but downplayed it, claiming she only slapped the boy twice after he was allegedly rude.

The victim’s mother reported the incident to authorities, highlighting previous aggression from the same woman, and called for institutional action to prevent such incidents in the future.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education In Moldova

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Education In Moldova

A consultative meeting organized by the Ministry of Education in Soroca focused on improving access to education for Roma children and preventing school dropout.

The meeting included local authorities, educational institutions, community mediators, civil society organizations, and parents, discussing affirmative measures to support Roma students. The importance of early education and collaboration between authorities, schools, and the Roma community was emphasized to create a more inclusive educational environment.

Proposed measures include reserving 10% of places in first and tenth grades for Roma children, admission facilities for vocational and higher education, merit scholarships, and increased social scholarships for vulnerable families.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Viața de Țigani

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Viața de Țigani

Pepe’s new single “Viața de Țigani” is accompanied by a documentary film that showcases nearly a century of family history in under four minutes, featuring archival footage and personal moments.

The film highlights five generations of Pepe’s family, culminating in the introduction of his two-month-old daughter, Jessica, marking her public debut.

The narrative emphasizes the importance of family bonds and traditions, with Pepe reflecting on his upbringing and the legacy of music passed down through generations.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Monika Lakatos

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Monika Lakatos

The Lakatos Mónika Folk7Festival and Workshop will take place from July 31 to August 3, leading up to the Balaton GipsyFest, which will follow for three days.

The workshop aims to attract those who love Romani music and culture, providing an opportunity to engage with the culture and understand its nuances.

The event encourages interaction between Romani and non-Romani individuals, fostering a deeper understanding of Romani culture and language through music and dance.

Austria News Western Europe

Forced Labour

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Forced Labour

Historical evidence shows that Roma from Burgenland were forced to work on the Reichsautobahn during the Nazi era, with new research pinpointing specific locations of these labor camps.

Writer Ludwig Laher has been investigating Nazi forced labor and the persecution of Roma and Sinti, utilizing new archival sources to shed light on these historical events.

Events organized by Roma-VHS Burgenland aim to raise awareness about the history of forced labor and keep the memory of the victims alive, highlighting the ongoing relevance of this topic today.

Austria News Western Europe

Austrian Minorities

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Austrian Minorities

The Austrian National Council has made a significant step in recognizing the importance of ethnic groups in Burgenland by constitutionalizing all six recognized indigenous groups, including Croats, Hungarians, and Roma.

Philip Juranich, a Green Party representative and member of the Burgenland Croatian community, emphasizes that this recognition enhances visibility, respect, and appreciation for these groups.

A new annual report on ethnic groups will be introduced to assess their overall situation, particularly in language and culture, and to ensure greater involvement of ethnic councils in the parliamentary process.

Kosovo News Eastern Europe

Erdhlezeti Festival

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Erdhlezeti Festival

The “Erdhlezeti” festival returned after a three-year hiatus, celebrating community, music, and human connections with local and international acts, including the Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orchestra and Demir Kan Brass Orchestra.

The festival emphasizes the importance of authentic music and cultural gatherings, aiming to unite people through shared experiences in public spaces.

The event attracted a diverse audience, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with joy and energy, showcasing the rich musical heritage of the Roma and Balkan cultures.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Evictions

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Greece and Evictions

The Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner has raised concerns about the eviction risk faced by a Roma community in Greece, highlighting potential human rights violations.

Michael O’Flaherty emphasized that informal Roma settlements can be considered homes under the European Convention on Human Rights, and evictions without alternative housing could infringe on their rights.

The case involves five Roma citizens alleging violations of their rights due to an administrative protocol aimed at evicting them from their long-term settlement, risking their access to essential services and security.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Vojvodina Music

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Vojvodina Music

The event “Days of Roma Music” was organized by the Roma Cultural Center in Pančevo to promote and preserve the rich musical heritage of the Roma minority.

The event featured performances by talented children from Vojvodina, highlighting the importance of passing on traditional Roma music to younger generations.

Officials emphasized the significance of such events in fostering cultural diversity and mutual respect, with hopes that it will become a key cultural event in Vojvodina.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Education in Slovenia

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Education in Slovenia

Eleven Roma students from the Kher šu beši Day Center visited the mayor of Trebnje, Mateja Povhe, after regularly attending school and center activities. The mayor emphasized the importance of education for achieving their dreams and encouraged the children to continue attending school for better opportunities.

The municipality of Trebnje is actively promoting the inclusion of Roma children in education, recognizing it as essential for their personal development and successful integration into society.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Auschwitz Commemoration

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Auschwitz Commemoration

The 82nd anniversary of the liquidation of the so-called Gypsy camp at Auschwitz will be commemorated on August 2, 2024, with events organized by the Center for History and Culture of the Roma in Oświęcim. During World War II, approximately 500,000 Roma and Sinti were murdered by the Nazis, with many being exterminated at Auschwitz.

August 2 is recognized in Poland as the Day of Remembrance for the Roma Genocide and is observed in the EU as the European Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust of Roma and Sinti.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Sterilisation

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Sterilisation

Ivan Ostrochovský’s film “Only Beautiful Things to Look At” explores the historical sterilization of Romnja in 1980s Czechoslovakia through the lens of a white doctor and a Romani nurse.

The protagonist, Dr. Ingrid, initially views sterilization as optional but gradually recognizes the coercive nature of the medical practices involved, influenced by her friendship with nurse Agáta.

The film, which premiered at the Karlovy Vary festival, combines a dark visual style with a haunting score, highlighting the emotional journey of its characters amidst a backdrop of systemic eugenics

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