News Eastern Europe Serbia

Romani Politics

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Romani Politics

The Roma community continues to face poverty, discrimination, and unresolved issues, while political conflicts overshadow discussions about real change ahead of the upcoming elections for the Serbian National Council of the Roma National Minority.

The elections are scheduled for November 8, and instead of accountability for past actions, the focus is on electoral lists and political influence.

Questions are raised about the achievements of Dalibor Nakić, the current head of the Council, particularly regarding education, preservation of the Romani language and culture, and access to information in Romani.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Zagreb Memorial

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Zagreb Memorial

A mobile memorial for Roma victims of World War II will be created in Zagreb as part of a workshop organized by the Center “Theater of the Oppressed – POKAZ”.

Designed by artist Antonio Grgic, the memorial aims to preserve the memory of the genocide against Roma and Sinti, allowing the community to contribute personal items for remembrance.

The project is part of a broader initiative across several countries, culminating in a virtual museum documenting persecution sites and educational materials, funded by the EU until January 2027.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Again …

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Again …

Another article  about the extravagant mansions In Romania, adorned with dollar symbols and Asian temple-like roofs are prevalent, yet many remain half-empty and poorly maintained, with owners living in cramped conditions.

The accumulation of wealth for these ostentatious buildings began after the fall of communism in the 1990s, primarily from scrap metal collection and the return of confiscated family gold.

Despite the lavish architecture, a significant portion of the Roma population lives in poverty, and the high maintenance costs of these mansions lead many owners to abandon them or leave for better opportunities elsewhere.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Romania

Sport and Racism

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Sport and Racism

Despite UEFA’s zero tolerance policy against racism, anti-Hungarian and anti-Roma chants continue to be prevalent in Romanian football stadiums.

Recent matches, including the FCSB-Rapid derby, have seen a resurgence of these chants, prompting calls for stricter penalties from sports authorities.

Officials and community leaders emphasize the need for deeper solutions beyond sanctions, advocating for awareness campaigns and dialogue to address the root causes of racism in sports.

News Eastern Europe Romania

No Roma child left out

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No Roma child left out

The Partida Romilor PRO-EUROPA in Dolj is launching a campaign called “No Roma Child Left Out of School” to combat school dropout rates among Roma children.

The initiative involves collaboration with local educators, health mediators, and community volunteers to engage parents and promote the importance of education.

The campaign aims to provide equal opportunities for Roma children and address broader social issues such as identity documentation and discrimination.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma Night

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Roma Night

The event “Romska noć” (Romani Night) will take place on November 4, 2026, at Propaganda bar in Nikšić, celebrating the World Romani Language Day on November 5, focusing on the preservation of the Romani language and culture.

The program includes a panel discussion on the status of the Romani language in Montenegro, an exhibition of Romani legends, and a karaoke competition featuring Romani songs.

The event is organized by several cultural organizations and aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the Romani language and cultural identity, with free entry for all attendees.

Bulgaria Europe News Eastern Europe

“XVth World Roma Congress”

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“XVth World Roma Congress”

The 15th International Romani Congress is taking place in Sofia, Bulgaria, from October 29 to 31, with representatives from around 25 countries, including Turkey, the UK, and the US.

Toma Mladenov, president of the organizing association O’GI E ROMENGO, emphasized unity among the Romani community, which numbers approximately 14 million worldwide.

The congress focuses on advocating for the rights and development opportunities of the Romani community, particularly in education and healthcare access, while stressing the importance of their own voices being heard.

None of the traditional Romani politics movements such as the Internatiuonal Romani Union are participating.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Elena Gorlova

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Elena Gorlova

On the occasion of the October 28th national holiday, President Petr Pavel awarded the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk to social worker and human rights activist Elena Gorolová. The Order of T. G. Masaryk is the second-highest Czech state honor; Gorolová received it for her outstanding contributions to the development of democracy, humanity, and human rights. The award recognizes her long-standing struggle for the rights of women who were unlawfully sterilized in Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, as well as her pivotal role in securing compensation for them.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Misinformation

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Misinformation

A TikTok profile misrepresents a statement by Mr. Srdanović, a student election candidate, altering his words from ‘Never again a tyrant in our country’ to ‘Never again a Gypsy in our country.’ An Instagram post features a young Rom threatening students on election day, claiming he would put them in a sewer. The same post shows the young Rom in a sewer, supposedly apologizing at the students’ request, but it is unclear who is forcing him to apologize.

Srđan Šajn, leader of the Roma Party, has called for an investigation into the spread of fear-inducing content targeting the Roma community following the rise of the University List.

He highlighted misleading social media posts that misrepresent statements made by University List members, suggesting they threaten the Roma community.

Šajn urged citizens to avoid hasty conclusions and emphasized the need for responsible handling of threats against students and the Roma community, while condemning any incitement of national hatred.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovak Mayors

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Slovak Mayors

Slovakia has elected a record number of Roma mayors, with 58 mayors and mayoresses of Roma nationality confirmed in the recent elections, an increase from 55 in 2022.

In the recent elections, 32 Roma mayors retained their positions, while 13 new Roma mayors replaced non-Roma predecessors in various municipalities.

The highest number of Roma mayors is in the Košice region, with significant representation from the Hlas-SD and Smer-SD parties, and an estimated 600 Roma council members expected to serve in local councils.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma National Council

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Roma National Council

The Roma Academic Circle has addressed the Electoral Commission and other authorities regarding equality among candidates and allegations of vote buying in the elections for the National Council of the Romani National Minority.

They question whether all candidates had equal opportunities to organize and run for election, emphasizing the need for political pluralism and fair conditions.

The group urges institutions to investigate these concerns to ensure trust among the Romani community in the electoral process and their representatives.

News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Slovakia United Kingdom

Murder

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Murder

A newborn girl named Maria was buried in Sheffield after dying violently just hours after birth, with her funeral attended by grieving family members.

The mother, Andrea, is accused of involvement in the murder but claims she was unaware of her pregnancy and was not allowed to attend the funeral due to safety concerns.

The case has shocked the public due to the brutality of the attack, with Maria suffering 33 stab wounds, and several adults, including her mother, are facing charges.

Bad.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Romani Politics

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Romani Politics

The Union of Roma in Serbia demands that the electoral list “United Roma for a United Serbia – Dejan Vlajković” withdraw from the elections for the National Council of the Roma National Minority, citing a lack of political and moral legitimacy.

They emphasize that the National Council should not serve personal or party interests but should be an independent institution dedicated to protecting the identity, language, culture, education, and information of the Roma community.

The Union raises concerns about political dependence among council members and allegations of manipulation of vulnerable Roma populations, including vote-buying and political pressure, urging authorities to investigate these claims.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Stolipinovo

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Stolipinovo

A German journalist visited the Plovdiv neighborhood of Stolipinovo to challenge the stereotype of it being the ‘most dangerous destination in the world.’

She highlighted both the visible issues in the area, such as waste and poor infrastructure, and the everyday life of its residents, including shops and social interactions.

The report emphasizes the need to recognize systemic issues and discrimination affecting the community, rather than attributing problems solely to the residents themselves.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria Presidential Vote

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Bulgaria Presidential Vote

In the first round of presidential elections, Radostin Vasilev performed well in Roma neighborhoods, receiving more votes than his competitors Iliana Yotova and Andrey Gyurov in several sections. Vislev is heading a populist nationalist party, so effectively Roma voted against themselves …

Voter turnout in these areas was notably low, ranging from 2-9%, with many sections reporting only a handful of votes cast.

The reasons for the low turnout include the absence of vote-buying, and Vasilev’s unexpected success raises questions about his appeal among the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Amala

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Amala

The Amala ensemble, founded in 1996 by composer Imer Traja Brizani, celebrates its 30th anniversary alongside Brizani’s personal milestones of 46 years in the arts in Slovenia and 53 years of professional activity since 1973.

A concert on November 5, 2026, at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana will honor the International Romani Language Day and feature the release of a commemorative vinyl album, ‘Amala 30 Years’.

The concert will showcase Brizani’s original compositions and arrangements of Romani songs, blending Romani musical heritage with jazz and classical influences, and will include special guests and a focus on the Arli dialect of the Romani language.

Belgium News Western Europe

Balkan Festival

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Balkan Festival

Balkan Trafik! festival celebrates 20 years of Balkan music and culture in Brussels from November 19-21, 2026, featuring diverse performances and cultural exchanges.

The festival will include various musical genres, workshops, discussions on cultural identity, and a fashion show highlighting Balkan traditions and contemporary designs.

A free afternoon event on November 21 will focus on cultural transmission, debates, and community engagement, promoting interaction between artists and the public.

News Western Europe United Kingdom

New Book

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New Book

The book “Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers in Higher Education: Contemporary Critical Perspectives” has been published, edited by Julia Morgan, Hazel Marsh, and Colin Clark.

It features contributions from various stakeholders, including personal accounts from members of the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities, addressing barriers to education.

The editors argue that low participation in higher education is not solely due to community attitudes but is influenced by racism, historical exclusion, and systemic inequalities in educational institutions.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Funds

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Funds

Hungary has secured approximately 92 billion HUF (250.4 million euros) in funding from EEA and Norway grants for the period 2021-2028, aimed at various projects including environmental initiatives, healthcare, local development, culture, and Roma integration.

The agreement was signed by representatives from Hungary, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, marking a significant improvement over the previous funding period where Hungary did not receive its allocated funds due to disputes over civil fund management.

Hungarian Finance Minister András Kármán assured that the spending processes would be public and transparent, with Hungary contributing an additional 12 billion HUF (over 32.6 million euros) from its own budget for co-financing.

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