An article on the word „țigan” [“Gypsy”], its origins stemming from the Athingani, a heretical Manicheism sect and on why it is pejorative and should be supplanted by the word Rom.
Józef Merstein Jochymczyk, a Sinto musician from Poland, shares his life story, including his early experiences with music and family roots. The family moved through Switzerland, Germany, and wartime Krakow ending up in Chrzanov, where he was born.
He highlights the cultural differences and common roots between Sinti and Roma and reflects on the historical persecution faced by his community. He continues to perform and compose music in the language he learned before Polish, emphasizing the importance of his cultural identity.
Laura Jurado’s new work, ‘Mallorca romaní. Una historia de la comunidad gitana’, explores five centuries of Romani presence in Palma and Mallorca, detailing their history and current social debates. The book discusses the historical oppression faced by the Romani people, including restrictions on their clothing, language, and livelihoods, as well as significant events like the Gran Redada in 1749, which targeted all Romani individuals in Spain.
The establishment of Son Banya, a settlement for Romani people in the 1960s, is highlighted as a failed urban planning initiative that has become a stigma for the Romani community, exacerbated by issues like drug problems and illegal constructions.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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