Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Summit of Roma Leaders

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Summit of Roma Leaders

Roma leaders from various countries gathered in Sofia for the Third Summit of Roma Leaders, focusing on unity, leadership, and a European future.

The event aimed to shift the narrative from merely identifying problems to proposing solutions for the Roma community, emphasizing collaboration with Bulgarian institutions.

A declaration was to be approved, advocating for dignity, rights, and active participation of the Roma community in society, highlighting the importance of education and mutual respect.

Among the forum’s guests were Dimitar Petrov, an MP from “Progressive Bulgaria”; Kirsti Pohjankukka, Ambassador of Finland to the Republic of Bulgaria; Alexander Daško, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government of the Slovak Republic for Roma Communities; Zoran Dimov, President of the International Romani Union (only of one of the three IRUs); István Aba-Horváth, a representative from Hungary; Renata Ronková, Commissioner for Integration and Migration (IRU Germany); Goran Goranov; Zsolt Nagy, an expert from Hungary; Elizabeta Janković from Serbia; and various academics.

Austria News Western Europe

Chris the Painter

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Chris the Painter

Chris the Painter, also known as Christian Dumitrasku, creates diverse artworks, including portraits and depictions of Roma musicians, from his studio in Vienna.

He emphasizes the importance of remembering the history of the Roma community, particularly the Holocaust, and engages with his social media followers for inspiration and feedback.

Despite facing discrimination online, Chris remains committed to his art and aims to educate others about Roma culture and history through his work and future exhibitions.

Austria News Western Europe

House of Ethnic Groups

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House of Ethnic Groups

The new House of Ethnic Groups in Oberwart, Austria,  will officially open on September 26, coinciding with the European Day of Languages, promoting cultural diversity.

The center unites various organizations representing Burgenland’s ethnic groups, including Croatian, Hungarian, and Roma communities, providing facilities for cultural activities and collaboration.

The opening event will feature a public open house, allowing visitors to explore the new facilities and learn about the work of the involved organizations.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Day of the Roma

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Day of the Roma

Myjava, Slovakia, will host the Day of Roma event in September 2026, celebrating Roma culture with two days of music, dance, and exhibitions.

The event will feature performances from the Jaghále Čhaja dance group and the Vladoboys band, along with inspiring documentaries about successful Roma individuals.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Forced Mariage

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Forced Mariage

The Romanian House of Representatives approved a bill to criminalize forced marriage, with specific penalties for cases involving minors and a media campaign to raise awareness.

The Roma community has expressed concerns that the law threatens their traditions and identity, while advocacy groups for Roma women support the initiative as a step towards protecting children from abuse.

The bill aims to shift societal perceptions of forced marriage from a private issue to a public concern, emphasizing that marriage should only occur with free consent.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Lawsuit

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Lawsuit

The Serbian Roma Party has filed a lawsuit against Dragan J. Vučićević, editor of Informer TV, for discrimination and hate speech after he referred to Roma as “cable thieves” in a broadcast.

The lawsuit argues that associating an entire ethnic group with criminal activity is discriminatory and calls for stronger legal protections against such actions.

The Roma Party is advocating for changes in discrimination laws to ensure that media figures face appropriate consequences for spreading discriminatory messages.

Bulgaria Europe News Eastern Europe

World Roma Congress

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World Roma Congress

Sofia will host a summit of Roma leaders from the Western Balkans and Europe in October, focusing on a new model of European Roma leadership. It lists itself at the 15th World Roma congress. Older organisations such as the International Romani Union (IRU) are, as far as we know not attending.

Zlatko Mladenov, the coordinator of the international meeting, emphasizes the need for Roma leaders to have a forward-looking vision for their community within Bulgarian society.

He criticizes the tendency to dwell on past issues and encourages leaders to propose solutions for the future instead.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Attempted Murder

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Attempted Murder

A 15-year-old boy in Velika Gorica, Croatia, is under investigation for attempted murder and other serious crimes after allegedly stabbing a 14-year-old classmate and a 59-year-old school janitor.

The juvenile has been placed in pre-trial detention due to concerns about witness tampering and the risk of reoffending.

In several newspapers, the boy is said to be a Rom.

The Roma National Minority Council condemned attempts to stigmatize the entire Roma community based on the actions of one individual, emphasizing that violence should be attributed to the perpetrator, not their ethnicity.

Bosnia France News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Hamidovic Clan

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Hamidovic Clan

Seven members of the Hamidovic family are on trial in Paris for human trafficking, organized theft, corruption of minors, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy, accused of forcing children to steal in specific locations.

The clan, known for exploiting young girls, allegedly coerced children under 13 to steal up to 300 euros daily, using violence and threats to ensure compliance.

Previous operations against the clan have led to convictions, and the current trial focuses on the nephew of a previously convicted leader, indicating ongoing criminal activities.

They are Bosnian Roma. It is really bad.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovak Evaluation

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Slovak Evaluation

The Slovak government has approved the second phase of a national project aimed at monitoring and evaluating inclusive policies for the Roma population, particularly marginalized communities.

The project will enhance existing monitoring systems with new analytical tools, big data analysis, and public opinion surveys, with a budget of nearly 5.7 million euros funded by the European Social Fund.

Key objectives include providing relevant data for policy evaluation and ensuring continuous monitoring of the implementation of the Roma Inclusion Strategy 2030.

Well, rather than evaluate, they should do something about it…

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Local Elections

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Local Elections

Local elections in Dolenjska and neighboring regions in Slovenia are set for November 15, where voters from the Roma community will elect their representative to the municipal council.

Municipal electoral commissions have started announcing information regarding the candidacy for the Roma community representative, which can be determined by signatures from community members or appointed by a local Roma organization.

The upcoming elections will clarify who will take on the role of the Roma community representative in the municipal council for the term 2022-2026.

Lithuania News Eastern Europe

“Gypsy” Fest

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“Gypsy” Fest

The GYPSY FEST in Vilnius, Lithuania, aims to challenge stereotypes about the Romani culture through thought-provoking messages displayed on large posters around the city.

The festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will feature a theatrical procession and a free concert showcasing Romani music and culture on September 19.

Organizers emphasize the importance of dialogue and understanding, inviting attendees to reflect on their own biases and engage with the Romani community.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

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Greece and Roma

On September 15, mayors from the municipalities of Thermi and Thermaikos met with Michael O’Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, to discuss the living conditions of Roma communities in the area.

The mayors expressed concerns about the dire conditions in the Roma settlement in Tsairia, including lack of electricity and water, and highlighted issues of crime and inadequate policing.

O’Flaherty emphasized the importance of social services in supporting the Roma and called for collaboration with local authorities to improve their living conditions and ensure children’s education.

O’Flaherty highlighted the ongoing human rights violations faced by Roma, including lack of access to healthcare and educational segregation, and called for Europe to wake up to these issues.

The exhibition, showcasing the lives and rights of Roma and Travellers, will be held in Thessaloniki until September 18, 2026, featuring works by photographers George Moutafis and Candice Imbert.

Latvia News Eastern Europe

Minorities and Politics

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Minorities and Politics

Dace Lindberga, the leader of the Rising Sun for Latvia (Latvian: Austošā Saule Latvijai ) is an ethnic nationalist and national conservative Latvian political party stated ahead of the upcoming parliemaentary elections that “We have only two ethnic minorities — Roma and Livonians — and we owe nothing to the Russians”.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Bari Balvaj

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Bari Balvaj

The Bari Balvaj! festival aims to promote Roma art to a wider audience and is hosted at the East Slovak Gallery, a significant cultural venue in the region.

The festival will feature various performances, including traditional Romani music and dance workshops, highlighting the importance of cultural diversity in the Košice region.

The event is open to everyone, encouraging participation and appreciation of Romani culture without prejudice, while also targeting Romani audiences.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Scholarships

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Scholarships

High school students from the Roma minority who received scholarships from the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth will not need to reapply for the scholarship if their schools submit the required documentation by October 21, 2026.

The scholarship program is part of the National Plan for the Inclusion of Roma from 2021 to 2027, aimed at keeping students in education and reducing dropout risks due to financial burdens.

New applicants, including first-year high school students and those who have not previously received the scholarship, must apply through a public call for the 2026/2027 school year.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Deadly Brawl

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Deadly Brawl

A violent clash between two families in Sungurlare (Burgas, Bulgaria) resulted in one death and four injuries, with the incident occurring on Ivan Vazov Street.

Eight individuals with criminal records have been detained. The altercation occurred around 9 PM at a house on Ivan Vazov Street, stemming from long-standing disputes related to horses.

The injured include a 65-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy, both in stable condition, while a 45-year-old man died en route to the hospital.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Pilgrimage in Hungary

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Pilgrimage in Hungary

Hungarian Roma, also known as Cigany, participated in an annual religious pilgrimage to a Virgin Mary shrine spring in Csatka, Hungary, on September 12, 2026.

The event highlights the cultural and religious practices of the Roma community in Hungary.

The pilgrimage is a significant occasion for the community, emphasizing their traditions and beliefs.

Ireland News Western Europe

Ireland, Travellers and Roma

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Ireland, Travellers and Roma

The Irish government has announced an expansion of the Traveller and Roma Local Employment Initiative Pilot Scheme, aimed at improving employment opportunities for these communities in Longford.

Seetec has been selected to deliver this initiative, providing tailored support to help Traveller and Roma individuals overcome barriers to employment.

The initiative is seen as a significant step towards enhancing access to job opportunities for marginalized groups in the region.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova – Mediation

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Moldova – Mediation

Robert Cerari, a Roma leader (in Romanian they use the term Roma Baron), visited Vulcăneşti, Moldova,  to mediate peace between two feuding clans amidst ongoing violence.

During a rainy meeting, Cerari urged the Romani community to resolve their issues peacefully and respect the law, while clan leader Ilie Bogdan accused a rival of criminal behavior.

The article recounts a recent violent incident involving a shooting and subsequent vendetta, highlighting the tensions and need for dialogue within the community.

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