Tag Archives: Activist

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Artur Cerari

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Artur Cerari

Artur Cerari, the leader of the Roma community in Soroca, Moldova, passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 65. He succeeded his father, Mircea Cerari, who was a prominent figure in the Roma community during the Soviet era.

Cerari was known for mediating internal disputes and representing the Roma community in official matters, focusing on issues like economic migration and educational integration.

Te avel I phuv lohi I o drom angla leste puterdo.

News Western Europe United Kingdom

UK and Roma

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UK and Roma

Alexandra Bahor, a Roma activist in Liverpool, advocates for Roma rights and challenges stereotypes about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities, emphasizing their diversity and unique needs.

She highlights the importance of meaningful partnerships between GRT communities and organizations, advocating for their involvement in decision-making processes.

Alexandra calls for recognition of anti-Gypsyism as a specific form of racism and encourages individuals to question stereotypes and listen to Roma voices to foster understanding and change.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma History and Inclusion

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Roma History and Inclusion

Panagiotis Charitos is a prominent social worker in Greece, dedicated to the education, social inclusion, and empowerment of Roma communities, with a strong academic background and extensive professional experience.

He has initiated various programs and projects aimed at improving educational access for Roma children, including the establishment of a Creative Activity Center and a Football Academy for Roma children.

Charitos has also been active in local politics, serving as a municipal councilor and advocating for Roma rights and social policies that promote equality and inclusion.

He is involved in the first Greek magazine dedicated to the history and culture of the Roma, titled “Unknown Culture of the Roma,” aims to document and preserve Roma heritage and promote positive examples from the community.

The magazine is a collective effort involving Roma scientists, educators, and community members, focusing on the rich traditions, values, and contributions of the Roma people.

It seeks to combat stereotypes and promote understanding between Roma communities and wider society, emphasizing the importance of equal opportunities and respect for Roma culture.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Milena Hübschmanova

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Milena Hübschmanova

An article in the Slovak press about Milena Hübschmannová, born on June 10, 1933. She significantly influenced the lives of several generations of Roma, instilling pride in their identity and leaving a lasting impact on Czech and global culture.

She began working with Roma communities in the 1950s, encouraging written expression and supporting Roma literature through editing, translating, and publishing efforts.

Hübschmannová was instrumental in establishing Romani studies at Charles University in Prague, elevating the Romani language and culture to an academic discipline and fostering close relationships with Roma personalities.

Czech Republic Germany News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Romani Pov

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Romani Pov

The Romani youth group PowerPeng! from Berlin meets the Romani media platform TUKE.TV from Brno. Through short films and a performance, they engage in dialogue and discuss how young Roma in Germany and the Czech Republic keep the memory of Sinti and Roma alive through their media work, how they shape resistance against the far right, and how they can maintain their place in the public consciousness.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Žarko Jovanović – musician and Roma activist

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Žarko Jovanović – musician and Roma activist

In the weekly Sveta Roma, they talk about Žarko Jovanović Jagdin – a Roma musician, composer and activist who left his mark on the history of the Roma.

May he rest in peace.

Austria Croatia Hungary News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Burgenland

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Burgenland

On the occasion of International Roma Day, the Roma National High School last week invited young people to a youth event in the Borta Open House (OHO). Young members of the Roma, Croatian and Hungarian ethnic groups participated. The main topic was networking and involving young people in political processes.

Bulgaria Europe News Eastern Europe

XV Congress

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XV Congress

A press release announcing that Sofia will host the XV World Roma Congress, which will be held in the period 29–31 October 2026. The event is organized by the Association “United Civic Initiatives – OGI E ROMENGO” with chairman and main organizer Toma Mladenov.

According to the organisers, Delegations from over 40 countries are expected to participate, as well as representatives of international institutions such as the UN, the Council of Europe and the European Union. The forum is expected to be one of the most significant international events related to the Roma community in recent years.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Activist

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Roma Activist

The lifeless body of a young man was pulled from the city lake in Zrenjanin, Serbia, on February 22nd. The Roma Party announced that it was nineteen-year-old Manuel Ametov, who disappeared eight days ago. A protest called “Justice for Manuel” was held last night because of this case. The crowd pointed out that the police were informed of the disappearance in a timely manner, but that there was no extensive search and alerting, which is available to the state.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Ladislav Goral

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Ladislav Goral

Ladislav Goral, an important figure in the Czech Roma movement, has passed away at the age of 86. Hew was born in Slovakia but move after the war to Czech lands. As an actor, activist, he made a huge impact on the Roma movement in Czechia.

May he rest in peace. Te avel i phuv lokhi.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Roma and Media

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Roma and Media

Roma have long been portrayed in limited and stereotypical roles in Czech media and film – as victims, perpetrators or caricatures. Alica Sigmund Heráková, founder of the Tuke.TV platform and the TUKINO film festival, talks about why authentic Roma stories, Roma authors and diverse characters are missing in audiovisual media in the new episode of the SODAcast podcast.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Jana Horváthová

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Jana Horváthová

An Interview with the director of the Czech Museum of Roma Culture Jana Horváthová. She was asked what issues from her own family did she have to deal with?

“Throughout my childhood and youth, I considered my Roma origin to be a kind of mark of Cain,” she says.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Joanna Talewicz

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Joanna Talewicz

Dr. Joanna Talewicz, president of the “W Stronę Dialogu” [towards Dialogue] Foundation, has been fighting for years to stop the Roma community from being perceived through the prism of folklore and romantic yet harmful notions. In a conversation with Andrzej Grupa, she discusses why the label of “expert on Roma issues” began to bother her, how the foundation’s new campaign, “Rozprowadzemy stereotypy o Rom(k)ach,” exposes prejudice, and how building community and alliances is the safest “insurance policy” for uncertain times in Poland.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Interview

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Interview

Education, community projects, consulting, activism, writing and support for Romani culture and identity. All of this belongs to the world of Janka Plešková, a native of Slovakia, a student at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University.

“As far as I can remember, I have always lived in two worlds, Romani and non-Romani. And I searched for myself for a very long time, I did not know where I belonged.”

Europe News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

A discussion with Mensur Haliti, Vice President of the Roma Foundation for Europe, about Slovenia’s response to the killing in Novo mesto and about Šutar’s law, which has sparked heated debates about Roma, security and democracy across Europe. Haliti, one of the key voices for the political empowerment of Roma in Europe, warns that the security law opens up dangerous patterns and goes beyond just the Roma issue.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Novo Mesto: Interview

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Novo Mesto: Interview

An interview with Kevin Tudija, a young Roma from Bela Krajina. the 22-year-old is a gastronomic technician by profession. As he couldn’t get a job in Bela Krajina, he accepted an offer to work in Primorska. He worked there for two seasons, and now he’s returning to Metlika, where he will work with Roma children in a multi-purpose centre. He wants to set an example for them that with work and perseverance, they can finish school, continue their education in high school, and find a job.

He speaks about what it means to be a Rom, especially after the killing in Novo Mesto.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Are you Rom?

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Are you Rom?

An interview with Nikolas Ferenc, a 26-year-old Roma actor, voice actor and musician. On the social network Instagram, he creates videos about Roma culture, stereotypes and prejudices that Roma men and women encounter.

When early in his career he was asked whether he was Rom, he then did not say yes.

Austria News Western Europe

Austrian Memorial

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Austrian Memorial

The musician and activist Harri Stojka is calling for the swift construction of a memorial for Roma and Sinti in Austria at Schmerlingplatz in Vienna. “There, at a historically significant location in the heart of Vienna, a visible symbol of remembrance and recognition should be erected.”

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Lúč z tmy – Ray of Darkness 2025

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Lúč z tmy – Ray of Darkness 2025

For the eighth time, the organizers have solemnly presented the Ray of Darkness awards for exceptional activities and contributions in the field of social change and inclusion of Roma men and women in Slovakia. This year, the awards were again given to personalities who, through their work, contribute to a fairer and more open society, break down prejudices, support equal opportunities and give a voice to those who are often invisible.

The first laureate was Florián Giňa – mayor of the municipality of Jarovnice, a native who has lived his entire life in the local area, which many call a settlement.

The second awardee was Michal Zálešák – a lawyer specializing in the field of human rights and minority rights. Since 2012, he has been working as a legal consultant at the European Roma Rights Center.

The third awardee was Marián Balog – an actor, playwright and director, one of the most prominent figures of Roma culture in Slovakia.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Award

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Award

This year’s Prize of the Museum of Romani Culture went to activist Josef Miker from Teplice. He will receive the award for his lifelong fight against hatred and racism. He was one of those who significantly contributed to the demolition of the pig farm in Lety near Písek on the site of a former concentration camp. In the community where he lives, he helps Romani youth, poor people and the homeless.

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