Activist Archives - rroma.org

Marija Aleksandrović

April 16, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Marija Aleksandrović, a famous Romani activist passed away unexpectedly on April 8^th.

Through her pioneering work on the standardization of the Romani language and the introduction of teaching in the Romani language and culture, she enabled young Roma men and women to proudly accept and cherish their language, making it not only academic but also socially important, alive.

May she rest in peace.

Romski aktivisti opraštaju se od Marije Aleksandrović: “Bila je svetionik borbe i ljubavi prema svom narodu”. In: Telegraph. 10.04.2025. https://www.telegraf.rs/vesti/srbija/4088437-romski-aktivisti-oprastaju-se-od-marije-aleksandrovic-bila-je-svetionik-borbe-i-ljubavi-prema-svom-narodu

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Charter 77 Award

April 11, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

The František Kriegl Award of the Czech Charter 77 Foundation for Civic Courage was awarded this year to Romani activist and social worker Elena Gorolová. The jury honoured her for her personal and professional contribution to the fight for compensation for victims of illegal and secret sterilizations. It particularly highlighted her long-term efforts and the courage with which she raised the topic, as well as her subsequent fight for compensation for victims of illegal actions by state healthcare facilities.

„Řekli mi: Podepište to, nebo zemřete.“ Gorolová dostala za boj proti nedobrovolným sterilizacím Cenu Františka Kriegla. In: Denik. N. 10.04.2025. https://denikn.cz/minuta/1704281/
Nadace Charty 77 ocenila Gorolovou, bojovnici za odškodnění žen za sterilizaci. In: O 24. 10.04.2025. https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/domaci/nadace-charty-77-ocenila-gorolovou-bojovnici-za-odskodneni-zen-za-sterilizaci-359957

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovakia: Interview

March 9, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

An interview with Lana Gazov, an activist who created founded the Kamiben profile, which connects Roma and non-Roma about the belief in Slovakia, that social benefits are tilted towards Roma and about her life as a Romni in Slovakia and abroad.

„Odsúdia nás skôr, než nás naživo uvidia.“ Lana búra predsudky o živote Rómov na Slovensku. In: StartItUp. 08.03.2025. https://www.startitup.sk/odsudia-nas-skor-nez-nas-nazivo-uvidia-lana-bura-predsudky-o-zivote-romov-na-slovensku/

News Eastern Europe Poland

Poland: Edward Dębicki

March 8, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

Fr. Stanisław Opocki, the National Roma Chaplain, prayed on March 6 for the Gypsy artist, Honorary Citizen of Gorzów Wielkopolski Edward Dębicki on his 90th birthday. The Jubilarian and his wife Ewa also participated in the Holy Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Edward Dębicki, a Roma activist is well known in Poland and beyond.

Krajowy Duszpasterz Romów modlił się w intencji Edwarda Dębickiego w 90. Urodziny. In: eKai. 07.03.2025. https://www.ekai.pl/krajowy-duszpasterz-romow-modlil-sie-w-intencji-edwarda-debickiego-w-90-urodziny/

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Reportage on Tomáš Csics

March 6, 2025 Published by: Roma Foundation

He is a Rom, an engineer, and an activist and influencer followed by thousands of people. At school, he was always reminded that he was just a gypsy. “Don’t go to college, Roma will only be hired for lower jobs anyway.” These are the words that begin one of the videos posted on. On social media, he proves with his story that Roma do not have to end up in factories for the lower grades, but can have big dreams and ambitions, just like he had. He achieved success despite growing up in poverty and encountering those who didn’t wish him well along the way.

Na škole mu vždy pripomínali, že je iba cigáň. Rómskeho inžiniera Tomáša teraz sledujú desaťtisíce ľudí. In: Dobré Noviny. 05.03.2025. https://www.dobrenoviny.sk/c/221341/na-skole-mu-vzdy-pripominali-ze-je-iba-cigan-romskeho-inziniera-tomasa-teraz-sleduju-desattisice-ludi