Tag Archives: History

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romania – Conference

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Romania – Conference

The National Agency for Roma, in partnership with the National Center for Roma Culture “Romano Kher”, organized a series of conferences in Dolj County focused on the historical slavery of Roma and the need for reconciliation through recognition and reparative policies.

The event lasted three days and aimed to shed light on this aspect of history.

Additionally, there will be a discussion about the life and work of Lucian Raicu, a Romanian critic and writer of Jewish descent, in the segment “A book…a minority.”

News Eastern Europe Poland

Memory Camp

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Memory Camp

The XXVII International Romani Memory Camp will take place in Tarnów from October 2-4, 2026, focusing on the history, culture, and contemporary issues of the Romani community, including the Holocaust remembrance.

The event will feature various presentations and discussions by scholars on topics such as the documentation of the Romani Holocaust, language policy, discrimination in education, and the role of local media in combating exclusion.

Participants will also embark on a tour of the Małopolska Trail of Romani Martyrdom, visiting significant locations related to Romani history in the region.

Bulgaria France News Eastern Europe News Western Europe

Bulgaria Exhibition

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Bulgaria Exhibition

The French Institute of Bulgaria is hosting the launch of the exhibition “Sillages” on October 8, 2026, which focuses on the history and presence of Romani communities in France, featuring discussions with experts Cécile Canut and Ognyan Isaev.

The exhibition, designed by the National Museum of Immigration History in Paris, aims to shed light on the often-overlooked contributions of these communities to French society and the stereotypes they face.

The event will include discussions in French and Bulgarian, with simultaneous interpretation, and will explore the narratives surrounding Romani communities and the impact of misinformation on their representation.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma Resistance Day

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Roma Resistance Day

The article discusses the debate surrounding the commemoration of the Roma Resistance Day on May 16, which some historians question as a historically verified event.

Proponents, including Roma politician Béla Radics, argue for the establishment of a memorial in Budapest to honor the Roma heroes who resisted Nazi forces during the Holocaust.

Critics, including historians, assert that there is no evidence of a rebellion on that date, suggesting that the commemoration may be based on myth rather than historical fact.

Latvia News Eastern Europe

Representation

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Representation

A scientific conference titled “Man at the Crossroads of Ideologies” was held in Talsi, Latvia, focusing on the interpretation of 20th-century cultural heritage.

Discussions highlighted the complexities of historical narratives, particularly regarding the representation of marginalized communities such as the Roma and Jews in Latvian museums.

The conference emphasized the importance of understanding historical context and encouraging critical questioning rather than providing simplistic answers.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Jana Horváthová

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Jana Horváthová

Jana Horváthová has resigned as director of the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno, citing exhaustion and a desire to focus on academic work after leading the museum since 2003.

Karolína Spilmannová will take over as acting director from September 1, ensuring continuity in leadership and operations at the museum.

The Ministry of Culture plans to redefine the museum’s Advisory Board and is seeking a strong permanent director to lead the institution’s future development.

What a pitty, and congratulation for the great work.

France News Western Europe

France and the Camps

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France and the Camps

During World War II, many Romani and other traveler groups faced severe discrimination in France, leading to their displacement and imprisonment in internment and extermination camps.

The article marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the last travelers from these internment camps in France.

Reporters Antonia Kerrigan and Valentine Erba interviewed a French survivor of the internment camps to share their experiences.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovak History

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Slovak History

Vera Lacková, a young filmmaker, is producing a documentary about the participation of Slovak Roma in the Slovak National Uprising against fascism, highlighting historical manipulation of their role during socialism.

The film addresses the overlooked Roma Holocaust and challenges stereotypes about Roma people, emphasizing their contributions to the fight for freedom.

Lacková shares personal family history related to the impact of fascism and discusses contemporary latent racism faced by the Roma community.

Austria News Western Europe

Burgenland Roma

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Burgenland Roma

A docuemntary about Roma from Burgenland, featuring texts by Michael Köhlmeier, spans from the 1930s to the present, addressing themes of adaptation pressure, persecution, and exclusion, while also celebrating the cultural diversity and vibrancy of the Burgenland Roma community.

The Roma community played a significant role in the creation of the documentary, with historical settings resembling a Roma camp from the 1930s being constructed for filming in Oslip.

Musical contributions to the film include works from Ferry Janoska and Tony Wegas.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Roma, History, and Croatia

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Roma, History, and Croatia

Several articles in the Croatian press about Roma history and the fact that “cigany” is a pejorative term. Some of the historical facts are to be debated … There have been quite a few ammends to Wikipedia that warrant some review.

Europe France News Western Europe

Roma in Europe

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Roma in Europe

The European Union’s new strategy for combating discrimination against Roma, adopted on January 21, 2026, aims to address historical and institutional discrimination with more radical measures.

Roma, the largest ethnic minority in Europe, face significant socio-economic challenges, including high poverty rates and discrimination in access to education and healthcare.

The new strategy emphasizes education, equal rights, and political participation for Roma, while acknowledging the need to address broader societal issues that contribute to anti-Roma discrimination.

Greece News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Romania

Slavery

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Slavery

The article discusses the historical and contemporary devaluation of Roma lives, highlighting a 1852 advertisement for the sale of Roma slaves in Romania.

It explores the etymology of terms used for Romani people, noting the negative connotations associated with the word “Gypsy” and its implications of being marginalized and dehumanized.

The author reflects on societal attitudes towards Romani people, exemplified by the recent police killing of a young Romani man, emphasizing ongoing discrimination and violence against this community.

Austria News Western Europe

Roma in Burgenland

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Roma in Burgenland

The documentary “Roma in Burgenland – Stories We Tell Ourselves” by director Robert Dornhelm explores the history, culture, and current challenges faced by the Burgenland Roma, a group rooted in Austria for centuries but still facing prejudice and discrimination.

It spans from the 1930s to the present, highlighting the Roma’s vibrant culture through music, traditions, and personal stories, while also addressing their historical victimization.

The film features contributions from the Roma community and includes reflections on the legacy of figures like Charlie Chaplin, emphasizing themes of identity, memory, and dignity.

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.

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.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Exhibition in Romania

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Exhibition in Romania

A new exhibition in Bucharest titled “The History of the Roma Belongs Here” combines video interviews, portrait photography, and scholarly literature to provide an overview of Roma history and culture in Romania, aiming to challenge public perceptions of the minority.

Curators Delia Popa and Luiza Medeleanu emphasize the importance of showcasing diverse Roma voices and addressing the misconceptions and prejudices surrounding the community.

The exhibition, funded by the EU’s NARDIV project, runs until July 5 at the Goethe Institute and encourages visitors to engage with the narratives and history of the Roma.

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.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma History

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Roma History

Two articles in the Greek press about the origins and history of Roma. These articles were propted by a feud on live TV Greek singer Vasilis Paiteris continues his public feud with MEP Afroditi Latinopoulou, questioning her stance in times of war and admitting he mistakenly voted for her party due to a friend’s candidacy. Paiteris labels Latinopoulou a “big racist” for her views on the Roma community, asserting that he will only apologize if she retracts her derogatory comments about them. During this, they both used the term “gyftos” that is considered to be pejorative.

The two articles are quite astonishingly accurate, with some debatable points. They also dwell on the origins of the various names given to Roma.

Uncategorized

Switzerland and Jenische and Sinti

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Switzerland and Jenische and Sinti

The Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs plans to establish an independent commission to investigate injustices against the Yenish and Sinti communities.

This decision follows calls from scholars and representatives of the affected communities for a thorough investigation into historical injustices.

Critics have expressed concerns over limited access to archival files and the need for a comprehensive inquiry into the persecution faced by these minorities.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma History

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Roma History

Višnja Višnjić Milić won an award for her ethical reporting on Roma history and Holocaust remembrance, focusing on the suffering of Roma during World War II.

Her program “Građanin” highlighted the experiences of Roma in two concentration camps, showcasing journalistic integrity and high ethical standards. Milić emphasized the importance of creating understanding and dialogue about marginalized communities, viewing the award as motivation to continue her work against discrimination.

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