Mihaela Zătreanu: Romani Language in Europe @eriac_org

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture Mihaela Zătreanu, an educator and advocate for Roma education, has over 15 years of experience. She pioneered Romania's first Romani language curriculum and authored textbooks for Roma children. As an educational inspector, she shaped policies to enhance Roma school participation. At the European level, she led efforts for equal rights and opportunities for Roma. Zătreanu also served as an educational expert for the Council of Europe, contributing to Roma children's education policy development. Additionally, she directed cultural programs promoting a positive image of Roma at the National Cultural Centre - Romano Kher.

Romani is one of the larger minority languages in the area represented by the Council of Europe and in the European Union countries. Romani is part of
the so-called Indic diaspora languages spoken by traveling communities of Indian origin outside of India. Romani and Romanes are the general names for the language of the Roma, Sinti, Kale and all other ethnic groups in Europe who speak or spoke an Indic/ Indo-Aryan language. There are upwards of 3.5 million speakers in Europe, and upwards of 500,000 in the rest of the world. The actual number may be much higher. The various dialects or varieties of Romani derive from a single ancestor idiom and the differences among them resembles to a considerable extent, the kind of differences found among dialects of major European languages such as Italian or German.

However, linguistic diversity does not represent an obstacle toward political unity. The Romani language is a powerful tool for unity, advocacy, empowerment, and cultural preservation within the Roma community, but also a key element for the educational inclusion of Roma children. Its recognition and promotion are integral to the political, social, and cultural advancement of the Roma people.

- Discover more on Barvalipe Masterclass: eriac.org/barvalipe-masterclass

updated 2 years ago

Mihaela Zătreanu: Romani Language in Europe

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-03-21 | Mihaela Zătreanu, an educator and advocate for Roma education, has over 15 years of experience. She pioneered Romania's first Romani language curriculum and authored textbooks for Roma children. As an educational inspector, she shaped policies to enhance Roma school participation. At the European level, she led efforts for equal rights and opportunities for Roma. Zătreanu also served as an educational expert for the Council of Europe, contributing to Roma children's education policy development. Additionally, she directed cultural programs promoting a positive image of Roma at the National Cultural Centre - Romano Kher.

Romani is one of the larger minority languages in the area represented by the Council of Europe and in the European Union countries. Romani is part of
the so-called Indic diaspora languages spoken by traveling communities of Indian origin outside of India. Romani and Romanes are the general names for the language of the Roma, Sinti, Kale and all other ethnic groups in Europe who speak or spoke an Indic/ Indo-Aryan language. There are upwards of 3.5 million speakers in Europe, and upwards of 500,000 in the rest of the world. The actual number may be much higher. The various dialects or varieties of Romani derive from a single ancestor idiom and the differences among them resembles to a considerable extent, the kind of differences found among dialects of major European languages such as Italian or German.

However, linguistic diversity does not represent an obstacle toward political unity. The Romani language is a powerful tool for unity, advocacy, empowerment, and cultural preservation within the Roma community, but also a key element for the educational inclusion of Roma children. Its recognition and promotion are integral to the political, social, and cultural advancement of the Roma people.

- Discover more on Barvalipe Masterclass: eriac.org/barvalipe-masterclass

“The Night of 2 August 1944”: Holocaust Survivors Remember Roma in Auschwitz-Birkenau

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2026-08-02 | On the occasion of August 2 - European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is pleased to host the release of the documentary The Night of 2 August 1944 on its YouTube channel.

The Night of 2 August 1944 is a documentary built around four filmed conversations with some of the last French Shoah survivors, aged between 96 and 101: Frania Eisenbach Haverland, Ginette Kolinka, Cécile Rajngewic Zoly and Esther Senot. The four interviewees were in Birkenau during the night of 2 August 1944 and recall what they witnessed during the liquidation of the so-called Zigeunerlager.

During these intimate interviews, the witnesses recount their experiences of deportation and survival before reflecting on a subject that has rarely been documented: their memories of Roma and Travellers they encountered in the Nazi camps. The meetings were made possible by the correspondence of 18-year-old Noodels Demestre, whose great-grandparents were deported because they were Roma. His letters opened the way to encounters that offered a unique opportunity to record these testimonies.

Featuring:
Frania Eisenbach Haverland
Ginette Kolinka
Esther Senot
Cécile Zoli Rajngewic
Noodels Demestre
Lise Foisneau
Ritchy Thibault
Rémi Picard

Voice-over:
Noodels Demestre

Directed by:
Lise Foisneau
With the assistance of Noodels Demestre, Valentin Merlin, Ritchy Thibault and Ludovic Versace

Based on an idea by Noodels Demestre.

Cinematography:
Valentin Merlin
With the assistance of Louis Simon and Ludovic Versace

Sound:
Valentin Merlin
With the assistance of Louis Simon

Editing:
Ludovic Versace

With the support of:
EVZ Foundation
ERIAC
IDEAS

Rašid Nikolić Performance at ERIAC Spring Salon: Yesterday is Tomorrow

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2026-04-28 | On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of April 8, International Roma Day, Rašid Nikolić, Roma artist, paramísar (storyteller), puppeteer and activist, presented a marionette show for the opening of the group exhibition Yesterday is Tomorrow at ERIAC's Spring Salon. The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture is pleased to release the recording of this performance and invites audiences to get a glimpse of the world of paramiśa.

Fables, stories, fairy tales and legends are translated in the Romani language with a single term: ‘paramiśa’. For Rašid Nikolić, the Paramiśar (storyteller) is not only a social role within the romano them (the Romani world), but the highest form of expression of the resistance of the Roma people.

Between 9 April and 24 July 2026, Rašid Nikolić's marionettes are part of the group exhibition Yesterday is Tomorrow, on display at ERIAC Art Space in Berlin. The show explores how traditional craft practices re-emerge in contemporary art as sites of innovation, memory, and cultural resilience.

Curatorial concept: Emese Molnár
Video: Kornél Szilágyi

Yesterday is Tomorrow: Spring Salon at ERIAC
Aliz Farkas (HU), Roland Farkas (NL), Rašid Nikolić (IT), Roxy Toledo Munrose(UK)
9 April – 24 July, 2026

Nikola Ludlová: Roma Culture and Arts as Political Practice in Czechoslovakia

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2026-04-20 | The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is releasing the masterclass Roma Culture and Arts as Political Practice in Czechoslovakia, with Nikola Ludlová, produced in the framework of the project Reclaiming Our Past, Rebuilding Our Future: New Approaches to Fighting Antigypsyism (JEKHIPE).

This masterclass examines how Roma culture and the arts have functioned as a form of political practice, particularly in Czechoslovakia. It begins by highlighting the broader power of art across history as a tool for shaping ideas, evoking empathy, and influencing social and political change. Within this context, it focuses on the politics of representation, showing how Roma have long been depicted by non-Roma in ways that reinforced exclusion and stereotypes, and how cultural production became a crucial means of self-representation and resistance.

The lecture then traces the development of Roma cultural activism, from early individual figures like Elena Lacková to the collective efforts of the Union of Gypsies–Roma (1969–1973), which connected cultural work with political demands for recognition and rights. Despite later suppression, these initiatives laid the foundation for ongoing cultural expression and institutional development.

*The masterclass is available with English and Romani subtitles. Please note that, due to a limitation in YouTube’s subtitle interface, the Romani subtitles are currently listed as Romanian.*

JEKHIPE is a European Commission-funded initiative (CERV) led by ERGO Network, ERIAC, and CEPS, in collaboration with national partners: Slovo 21 (Czechia), Central Council for German Sinti and Roma (Germany), UCRI and Romni (Italy), Amare Romentza (Romania), FAGiC and Romane Siklovne (Spain), and Trajosko Drom (Sweden).

Together, these organizations address historical injustices, such as the lack of recognition for the Roma Holocaust and slavery, while promoting institutional representation in arts and education. By engaging policy-makers and grassroots communities, JEKHIPE seeks to contribute to the establishing of clear mechanisms for governmental accountability across Europe.

#JEKHIPE #ReclaimingOurPast #RebuildingOurFuture #CERV #FightingAntigypsyism #RomaRights #historicaljustice

Silas Kropf: Antigypsyism in Germany - History, Resistance, and Rights

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2026-03-31 | The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is releasing the masterclass Antigypsyism in Germany: Historical Continuities, Civil Rights Movement, Scholarship, and Artistic Resistance, with Silas Kropf produced in the framework of the project Reclaiming Our Past, Rebuilding Our Future: New Approaches to Fighting Antigypsyism (JEKHIPE). This masterclass builds on his professional and academic expertise and is informed by the findings of Maria Bogdan’s fellowship paper, developed for the JEKHIPE project.

This masterclass explores antigypsyism as a persistent and multifaceted form of racism, tracing its roots from the early marginalization of Sinti and Roma to the Nazi genocide, which drew on long-standing practices of exclusion and racialization. It also examines the postwar experiences of survivors, who continued to face discrimination and denial of recognition, and highlights the emergence of a civil rights movement led by figures such as Vinzenz, Oskar, and Romani Rose, whose activism was crucial in securing the official recognition of the genocide in 1982.

Bringing the discussion into the present, the masterclass presents antigypsyism as a structural issue that persists across media, digital spaces, and institutions such as education, housing, and policing. It also foregrounds Roma artistic practices—memoir, music, theater, and memorial art—as powerful forms of cultural memory and resistance. By connecting history, activism, scholarship, and art, this masterclass offers a deeper understanding of both the enduring nature of antigypsyism and the ongoing efforts to challenge it.

*The masterclass is available with English and Romani subtitles. Please note that, due to a limitation in YouTube’s subtitle interface, the Romani subtitles are currently listed as Romanian.*

JEKHIPE is a European Commission-funded initiative (CERV) led by ERGO Network, ERIAC, and CEPS, in collaboration with national partners: Slovo 21 (Czechia), Central Council for German Sinti and Roma (Germany), UCRI and Romni (Italy), Amare Romentza (Romania), FAGiC and Romane Siklovne (Spain), and Trajosko Drom (Sweden).

Together, these organizations address historical injustices, such as the lack of recognition for the Roma Holocaust and slavery, while promoting institutional representation in arts and education. By engaging policy-makers and grassroots communities, JEKHIPE seeks to contribute to the establishing of clear mechanisms for governmental accountability across Europe.

#JEKHIPE #ReclaimingOurPast #RebuildingOurFuture #CERV #FightingAntigypsyism #RomaRights #historicaljustice

Samanta Selimovic: Antigypsyism in Sweden and Romani Interventions

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2026-03-24 | The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is releasing the masterclass "Antigypsyism in Sweden and Romani Interventions", with Samanta Selimovic, based on a research paper authored by Samanta Selimovic and Jan Selling, produced in the framework of the project Reclaiming Our Past, Rebuilding Our Future: New Approaches to Fighting Antigypsyism (JEKHIPE).

This masterclass, led by Samanta Selimovic, provides a critical examination of the five-century history of the Roma in Sweden, moving from the violent 1637 expulsion decrees to the 2013 illegal police registration. By blending academic research with lived experience as a Roma and Muslim woman, Selimovic exposes "antigypsyism" not merely as a prejudice, but as a systemic structure embedded within the Swedish welfare state. The session highlights how historical "humanitarian" policies often masked forced sterilization and cultural erasure, ultimately arguing that genuine inclusion fails when it is designed for Roma rather than with them.

Shifting from systemic exclusion to "artivism," the session explores how pioneers like the Taikon sisters and contemporary figures like Soraya Post and Lindy Larsson reclaim Roma identity through politics and performance. After noting the influence of the post-Yugoslavia diaspora and women’s leadership, the session concludes by analyzing the "state-dependency dilemma": the tension between requiring public funding and maintaining activist independence against rising populism. Ultimately, the masterclass calls for structural reform and collective memory to ensure Sweden’s 2032 equality goals are met through active participation rather than passive assimilation.

*The masterclass is available with English and Romani subtitles. Please note that, due to a limitation in YouTube’s subtitle interface, the Romani subtitles are currently listed as Romanian.*

Stay informed: Explore the latest episodes of the JEKHIPE Masterclass series.

*Fernando Ruiz Molina: Anti-Gypsyism, Resistance & Cultural Memory: A Critical Perspective from Spain* | youtu.be/_mcci7CQ2_o?si=DAVSem00x02UpRac

*Antigypsyism in Italy through the History of the Roma Civil Rights Movement with Federica Scrimieri* | youtube.com/watch?v=iFBGdd7cPEg

*The Construction and Deconstruction of a Roma Hero in the Romanian History with Adrian-Nicolae Furtună* | youtu.be/5Z2CVbK7YX0?si=IDwfmD4Z5NqDtHG8

JEKHIPE is a European Commission-funded initiative (CERV) led by ERGO Network, ERIAC, and CEPS, in collaboration with national partners: Slovo 21 (Czechia), Central Council for German Sinti and Roma (Germany), UCRI and Romni (Italy), Amare Romentza (Romania), FAGiC and Romane Siklovne (Spain), and Trajosko Drom (Sweden).

Together, these organizations address historical injustices, such as the lack of recognition for the Roma Holocaust and slavery, while promoting institutional representation in arts and education. By engaging policy-makers and grassroots communities, JEKHIPE seeks to contribute to the establishing of clear mechanisms for governmental accountability across Europe.

#JEKHIPE #ReclaimingOurPast #RebuildingOurFuture #CERV #FightingAntigypsyism #RomaRights #historicaljustice

Fernando Ruiz Molina: Anti-Gypsyism, Resistance & Cultural Memory: A Critical Perspective from Spain

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2026-03-18 | The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is releasing the masterclass "Anti-Gypsyism, Resistance, and Cultural Memory: A Critical Perspective from Spain" with Fernando Ruiz Molina, produced in the framework of the project Reclaiming Our Past, Rebuilding Our Future: New Approaches to Fighting Antigypsyism (JEKHIPE).

For centuries, the Romani people in Spain have navigated a landscape of institutionalized exclusion. This masterclass uncovers the hidden threads of this history: the laws that criminalized an identity, the repression of the Franco era, and the quiet persistence of inequality today.

However, the story of the Roma is not just one of victimhood, it is one of fierce political and cultural resistance. Fernando Ruiz Molina explores the transformative power of the post-1978 associative movement and the revolutionary leadership of Roma women.

*The masterclass is available with English and Romani subtitles. Please note that, due to a limitation in YouTube’s subtitle interface, the Romani subtitles are currently listed as Romanian.*

Stay informed: Explore the latest episodes of the JEKHIPE Masterclass series.

*Antigypsyism in Italy through the History of the Roma Civil Rights Movement with Federica Scrimieri* | youtube.com/watch?v=iFBGdd7cPEg

*The Construction and Deconstruction of a Roma Hero in the Romanian History with Adrian-Nicolae Furtună* | youtu.be/5Z2CVbK7YX0?si=IDwfmD4Z5NqDtHG8

JEKHIPE is a European Commission-funded initiative (CERV) led by ERGO Network, ERIAC, and CEPS, in collaboration with national partners: Slovo 21 (Czechia), Central Council for German Sinti and Roma (Germany), UCRI and Romni (Italy), Amare Romentza (Romania), FAGiC and Romane Siklovne (Spain), and Trajosko Drom (Sweden).

Together, these organizations address historical injustices, such as the lack of recognition for the Roma Holocaust and slavery, while promoting institutional representation in arts and education. By engaging policy-makers and grassroots communities, JEKHIPE seeks to contribute to the establishing of clear mechanisms for governmental accountability across Europe.

#JEKHIPE #ReclaimingOurPast #RebuildingOurFuture #CERV #FightingAntigypsyism #RomaRights #historicaljustice

Federica Scrimieri: Antigypsyism in Italy through the History of the Roma Civil Rights Movement

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2026-03-12 | The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is releasing the masterclass "Antigypsyism in Italy through the History of the Roma Civil Rights Movement" with anthropologist Federica Scrimieri, produced in the framework of the project Reclaiming Our Past, Rebuilding Our Future: New Approaches to Fighting Antigypsyism (JEKHIPE).

This masterclass analyzes Italian antigypsyism from the 1920s to the present, examining the systemic violence and institutional bias that have marginalized Roma and Sinti communities. Federica Scrimieri traces the evolution of Romani resistance, from early "pioneer" networks to modern "artivists" who use digital media to challenge dominant narratives. By examining artistic production as a site of memory and political agency, the masterclass illustrates how these cultural movements complement the ongoing intergenerational fight against entrenched structural inequalities in housing, education, and the social system.

*The masterclass is available with English and Romani subtitles. Please note that, due to a limitation in YouTube’s subtitle interface, the Romani subtitles are currently listed as Romanian.*

JEKHIPE is a European Commission-funded initiative (CERV) led by ERGO Network, ERIAC, and CEPS, in collaboration with national partners: Slovo 21 (Czechia), Central Council for German Sinti and Roma (Germany), UCRI and Romni (Italy), Amare Romentza (Romania), FAGiC and Romane Siklovne (Spain), and Trajosko Drom (Sweden).

Together, these organizations address historical injustices, such as the lack of recognition for the Roma Holocaust and slavery, while promoting institutional representation in arts and education. By engaging policy-makers and grassroots communities, JEKHIPE seeks to contribute to the establishing of clear mechanisms for governmental accountability across Europe.

#JEKHIPE #ReclaimingOurPast #RebuildingOurFuture #CERV #FightingAntigypsyism #RomaRights #HistoricalJustice

Adrian-Nicolae Furtună: The Construction and Deconstruction of a Roma Hero in the Romanian History

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2026-03-02 | The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is releasing the masterclass "Prince Ștefan Răzvan: The Construction and Deconstruction of a Roma Hero in the Context of Romanian History and National Memory", with historian Adrian-Nicolae Furtună, produced in the framework of the project Reclaiming Our Past, Rebuilding Our Future: New Approaches to Fighting Antigypsyism (JEKHIPE).

The masterclass explores how Ștefan Răzvan, who ruled Moldavia between April and August 1595, became a lasting figure in Romanian debates about identity and memory, shaped in part by claims of his Romani origins and his alliance with Mihai Viteazul against the Ottomans. It traces historiographical disputes sparked by Nicolae Bălcescu, who framed Răzvan as a symbol of emancipation, versus critics who cast him as an illegitimate usurper, embedding ethnic stereotypes in national memory.

The session then examines Răzvan’s literary reinvention in Răzvan Vodă by Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu, which elevated him to heroic status, a move contested by figures like P. P. Carp. Concluding with modern Romani reinterpretations that integrate Răzvan into a narrative of resistance and empowerment in a move to reclaim heritage, the masterclass shows how proverbs, literature, and activism have continually reshaped Răzvan’s image, revealing how history and memory intersect in constructing collective identity.

*The masterclass is available with English and Romani subtitles. Please note that, due to a limitation in YouTube’s subtitle interface, the Romani subtitles are currently listed as Romanian.*

JEKHIPE is a European Commission-funded initiative (CERV) led by ERGO Network, ERIAC, and CEPS, in collaboration with national partners: Slovo 21 (Czechia), Central Council for German Sinti and Roma (Germany), UCRI and Romni (Italy), Amare Romentza (Romania), FAGiC and Romane Siklovne (Spain), and Trajosko Drom (Sweden).

Together, these organizations address historical injustices, such as the lack of recognition for the Roma Holocaust and slavery, while promoting institutional representation in arts and education. By engaging policy-makers and grassroots communities, JEKHIPE seeks to contribute to the establishing of clear mechanisms for governmental accountability across Europe.

#JEKHIPE #ReclaimingOurPast #RebuildingOurFuture #CERV #FightingAntigypsyism #RomaRights #HistoricalJustice

Resistance and Remembrance: Confronting Institutional Antigypsyism Through Art and Research

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-12-18 | Resistance and Remembrance: Confronting Institutional Antigypsyism Through Art and Research – a panel discussion organized on the occasion of May 16, International Roma Resistance Day, brought together artists and academics, who reflected on personal and collective forms of resistance in response to the political and institutional mechanisms of antigypsyism.

The panel featured Dr. Markus End (Center for Research on Antisemitism, Technische Universität Berlin), a leading researcher and expert on institutional antigypsyism; Dr. Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka (Deputy Director, ERIAC), editor of Re-thinking Roma Resistance Throughout History; and Romy Rüegger, artist, researcher, and ERIAC–Villa Romana artist-in-residence. Together, they explored how historical and contemporary practices intersect across art, scholarship, and lived experience.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Maria Bogdan, a media and cultural theorist, specializing in media representation, cultural memory, and the Roma Holocaust.

The event was organized by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) as part of the two-day program “Roma Art of Resistance”, co-funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the Joint Programme ¨Roma Memory¨

Roma Art of Resistance - Ferenc Snétberger solo guitar with Snétberger Music Talent Center guests

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-12-18 | To mark the International Day of Roma Resistance, the internationally acclaimed guitarist Ferenc Snétberger performed at Kesselhaus Berlin together with outstanding young talents from his musical centre, Máté Balogh on saxophone and Flóra Bakonszegi on vocals.
Recognized by critics and audiences as one of the few truly distinctive voices of contemporary guitar, Ferenc Snétberger has developed a unique musical world blending classical and jazz with the Roma tradition of his Hungarian heritage, flamenco guitar techniques, samba rhythms, and the influence of J.S. Bach. His work creates a vibrant dialogue between past and present.

This event was organized by ERIAC as part of the two-day program “Roma Art of Resistance”,in collaboration with the Council of Europe, within the framework of the EU & CoE Joint Programme on Roma Holocaust Remembrance and Education (JP Roma Memory).

Tajsa Roma Cultural Heritage Prize 2025

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-11-30 | TAJSA ROMA CULTURAL HERITAGE PRIZE 2025 — LIVE FROM BUCHAREST

Join us live from the iconic Romanian Athenaeum on 29 November 2025 at 19:00 EET for the 4th edition of the Tajsa Roma Cultural Heritage Prize Award Ceremony & Gala, presented by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).

The Tajsa Prize honors a Roma individual whose work strengthens and renews Roma cultural heritage. The 2025 finalists—Coco Reyes, Noell Maggini, Riah Knight, Sead Kazanxhiu, and Selma Selman—bring forward exceptional artistic visions across a wide spectrum of creative fields. The laureate will receive a €10,000 award, supported by ERIAC’s associated members.

This year’s gala unites ERIAC’s international membership, partners, and friends for an evening devoted to celebrating Roma excellence. The ceremony features a specially curated artistic programme that reflects the depth, resilience, and contemporary power of Roma cultural expression.

Hosts: Zita Moldovan & Adrian Tudor
Languages: Romani & English

Learn more on www.eriac.org

#TajsaPrize2025

Romy Rüegger — Approaching Ultra Light

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-11-14 | Approaching Ultra Light is a performance by Romy Rüegger, presented on International Romani Resistance Day as part of the two-day programme “Roma Art of Resistance”, organized by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).

The programme was co-funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the Council of Europe within the framework of the Joint Programme “Roma Memory.”

About the Artist

Romy Rüegger is an artist and researcher whose practice merges performance, listening, sound, writing, and environmental histories. Her work creates sensorial, spatial, and poetic encounters that reflect on visibility, memory, and the tensions between presence and absence.

Tajsa Roma Cultural Heritage Prize Ceremony 2023

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-10-28 | Embodying the founding principles of ERIAC, the TAJSA Prize celebrates a Roma individual whose work draws from Roma cultural heritage, enriching the Roma arts and culture scene. This prestigious award recognizes those who shape and reinvent forms of Roma cultural expression for the next generation.

Dr. Raul Cârstocea: The Impact of COVID-19 on Roma Communities

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-10-22 | In this masterclass, Dr. Raul Cârstocea examines the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Roma communities in Eastern Europe, drawing on findings from his project Marginality on the Margins of Europe – The Impact of COVID-19 on Roma Communities in Non-EU Countries in Eastern Europe. Situating the pandemic within a longer history of scapegoating and structural exclusion, he explores how racism, poverty, and social hierarchies intersect to render Roma communities disproportionately vulnerable in times of crisis. The session offers a critical reflection on how the pandemic has both exposed and intensified the deep-rooted inequalities shaping Europe’s moral and political landscape.

Dr. Raul Cârstocea is a Professor of Twentieth-Century European History at Maynooth University, Ireland. His research focuses on antisemitism, fascism, nationalism, and the Holocaust, with particular attention to state formation and nation-building in Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe. He holds a PhD in History from University College London and MA degrees from Central European University and the University of Bologna. Before joining Maynooth, he taught at UCL and held a Research Fellowship at the Vienna Wiesenthal Institute for Holocaust Studies. Beyond academia, he serves as Vice-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Observatory on History Teaching in Europe at the Council of Europe and is a member of the Barvalipe Academy at the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), reflecting his commitment to fostering dialogue, inclusion, and critical engagement with Europe’s difficult past.

Echoes of Memory, Episode 6: The Memory of Roma Holocaust in Contemporary Art

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-09-30 | Curator and moderator Timea Junghaus sits down with artists Lila Loisse, Riah Knight, and Petro Rusanienko to explore how Roma artists carry and transform the memory of the Roma Holocaust through creative practice. Together, they reflect on personal awakenings, silences and institutional erasure, while considering how contemporary art can bridge gaps in public memory. From installations and poetry to performance and film, the conversation traces how younger generations are finding new ways to resist forgetting — and how art keeps memory alive.

Moderator: Timea Junghaus
Participants: Riah Knight
Lila Loisse
Petro Rusanienko

Director: Petro Rusanienko
Editor: Mariia Korostelova
Videographer: Sztaniszlav Bendarzsevszkij
Transcription / Subtitle Editor: Mari Hakopyan
Subtitle Translator: Lucia Lumme

Project Coordinator: Arta Rexhepi
Mentor: Timea Junghaus
Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka
Communication: Radu Sticlea, Adelina Miron

Developed by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).
Funded by the EVZ Foundation and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) within the programme 'YOUNG PEOPLE remember on site & committed'.
Supported by the Council of Europe, Roma Foundation for Europe, and Open Society Foundations.

This publication does not represent an opinion of the EVZ Foundation or the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM). The author is responsible for the content statements.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on memory, history, and Roma identity.
📢 Help amplify Roma voices by sharing this video.

#holocaustremembrance #holocaustmemorial #holocausteducation #romaniholocaust #romaniholocaustremembrance #eriac #romaniholocausteducation #sintiandromaholocaust #echoesofmemorypodcast #podcast #neverforget

Echoes of Memory, Episode 5: Never Again? The Roma Holocaust and the Reality of Antigypsyism Today

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-09-23 | This episode turns to the meaning of “Never Again” eighty years after the Roma Holocaust. For many young Roma, the phrase rings with both urgency and frustration — a reminder of broken promises, gaps in remembrance, and the persistence of antigypsyism in Europe.

Hosted by Petro Rusanienko, with participants Stelina Dungaj, Donald Myrteli, and Juan Gimenez, the conversation explores how Roma history is remembered — or erased — in schools, museums, and public debates. It reflects on how discrimination today echoes patterns of the past, and what must change for “Never Again” to become more than just a slogan.

The episode highlights Roma resilience and insists on the need to move from memory to action, ensuring that remembrance empowers Roma communities and holds society accountable.

Host: Petro Rusanienko
Participants: Stelina Dungaj, Donald Myrteli, Juan Gimenez

Director: Petro Rusanienko
Editor: Mariia Korostelova
Videographer: Sztaniszlav Bendarzsevszkij
Transcription / Subtitle Editor: Mari Hakopyan
Subtitle Translator: Lucia Lumme

Project Coordinator: Arta Rexhepi
Mentor: Timea Junghaus
Communication: Radu Sticlea, Adelina Miron

Developed by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).
Funded by the EVZ Foundation and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) within the programme “YOUNG PEOPLE remember on site & committed.”
Supported by the Council of Europe, Roma Foundation for Europe, and Open Society Foundations.

This publication does not represent the views of the EVZ Foundation or the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM). The author is responsible for the content.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on memory, history, and Roma identity.
📢 Help us amplify Roma voices by sharing this video.

#holocaustremembrance #holocaustmemorial #holocausteducation #romaniholocaust #romaniholocaustremembrance #eriac #romaniholocausteducation #sintiandromaholocaust #echoesofmemorypodcast #podcast #neverforget

Echoes of Memory, Episode 4: The Power of Names – Roma Victims and the Struggle for Recognition

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-09-16 | The fourth episode of the Echoes of Memory podcast turns to the power of names in Roma Holocaust remembrance. Too often, Roma victims are remembered only as numbers, stripped of their identities and humanity.

Moderated by Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, with participants Anzhelika Bielova, Lisa Smith, and Brett Olah, the conversation reflects on why personal stories matter, how survivor testimonies confront the silences of perpetrator archives, and how remembering individual lives shapes our understanding of history.

The episode underlines the urgency of restoring dignity to the victims, amplifying Roma voices in Holocaust remembrance, and ensuring that young Roma carry these stories into the future.

Moderator: Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka
Participants: Anzhelika Bielova, Lisa Smith, Brett Olah

Director: Petro Rusanienko
Editor: Mariia Korostelova
Videographer: Sztaniszlav Bendarzsevszkij
Transcription / Subtitle Editor: Mari Hakopyan
Subtitle Translator: Lucia Lumme

Project Coordinator: Arta Rexhepi
Mentor: Timea Junghaus
Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka
Communication: Radu Sticlea, Adelina Miron

Developed by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).
Funded by the EVZ Foundation and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) within the programme “YOUNG PEOPLE remember on site & committed.”
Supported by the Council of Europe, Roma Foundation for Europe, and Open Society Foundations.

This publication does not represent the views of the EVZ Foundation or the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM). The author is responsible for the content.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on memory, history, and Roma identity.
📢 Help us amplify Roma voices by sharing this video.

#holocaustremembrance #holocaustmemorial #holocausteducation #romaniholocaust #romaniholocaustremembrance #eriac #romaniholocausteducation #sintiandromaholocaust #echoesofmemorypodcast #podcast #neverforget

Echoes of Memory, Episode 3: Roma Resistance - Stories of Survival and Defiance

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-09-09 | The third episode of the Echoes of Memory podcast examines a frequently neglected dimension of the Roma Holocaust: resistance. Scholarly and popular accounts have too often depicted Roma communities exclusively as passive victims of Nazi persecution, thereby effacing their agency. Historical evidence, however, reveals a far more complex narrative.

In a discussion moderated by Petro Rusanienko, participants Daniela Samiri, Brian Mihalicek, Dezső Mate, and Michel Femgren analyze the diverse strategies through which Roma resisted, including armed confrontation, organized escapes, acts of rescue, the preservation of cultural practices, and the determination to survive under conditions of annihilation.

By centering named individuals, personal choices, and lived experiences, the episode challenges reductionist portrayals of Roma as passive victims. Instead, it reframes Roma Holocaust history as one marked by resilience, agency, and moral courage.

Moderator: Petro Rusanienko
Participants: Daniela Samiri
Dezső Mate
Brian Mihalicek
Michel Femgren

Director: Petro Rusanienko
Editor: Mariia Korostelova
Videographer: Sztaniszlav Bendarzsevszkij
Transcription / Subtitle Editor: Mari Hakopyan
Subtitle Translator: Lucia Lumme

Project Coordinator: Arta Rexhepi
Mentor: Timea Junghaus
Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka
Communication: Radu Sticlea, Adelina Miron

Developed by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).
Funded by the EVZ Foundation and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) within the programme 'YOUNG PEOPLE remember on site & committed'.
Supported by the Council of Europe, Roma Foundation for Europe, and Open Society Foundations.

This publication does not represent an opinion of the EVZ Foundation or the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM). The author is responsible for the content statements.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on memory, history, and Roma identity.
📢 Help amplify Roma voices by sharing this video.

#holocaustremembrance #holocaustmemorial #holocausteducation #romaniholocaust #romaniholocaustremembrance #eriac #romaniholocausteducation #sintiandromaholocaust #echoesofmemorypodcast #podcast #neverforget

Echoes of Memory, Episode 2: Other Perspectives

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-08-26 | How can we make Holocaust remembrance more inclusive? The second episode of Echoes of Memory broadens the narrative.

Moderator Petro Rusanienko is joined by Florentina-Alexandra Manea, Cat Jugravu, and Estera Stan discuss the many communities targeted by the Nazis — including queer people, people with disabilities, political dissidents, Black Germans, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others.

Through stories of persecution, resistance, and survival, the conversation explores the power of symbols, the role of archives, and the importance of intersectionality.

Echoes of Memory - Roma Youth for Holocaust Remembrance podcast | Episode 2 — Other Perspectives

Moderator: Petro Rusanienko
Participants: Florentina-Alexandra Manea, Cat Jugravu, Estera Stan

Director: Petro Rusanienko
Editor: Mariia Korostelova
Videographer: Sztaniszlav Bendarzsevszkij
Transcription / Subtitle Editor: Mari Hakopyan
Subtitle Translator: Lucia Lumme

Project Coordinator: Arta Rexhepi
Mentor: Timea Junghaus
Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka
Communication: Radu Sticlea, Adelina Miron

Developed by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).
Funded by the EVZ Foundation and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) within the programme 'YOUNG PEOPLE remember on site & committed'.
Supported by the Council of Europe, Roma Foundation for Europe, and Open Society Foundations.

This publication does not represent an opinion of the EVZ Foundation or the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM). The author is responsible for the content statements.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on memory, history, and Roma identity.
📢 Help amplify Roma voices by sharing this video.

#holocaustremembrance #holocaustmemorial #holocausteducation #romaniholocaust #romaniholocaustremembrance #eriac #romaniholocausteducation #sintiandromaholocaust #echoesofmemorypodcast #podcast #neverforget

Echoes Of Memory, Episode 1: Visiting the Sinti and Roma Memorial

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-08-19 | Join moderator Petro Rusanienko and young Roma voices Maria Atanasova, Roxy Toledo Munrose, and Daniil Hromyko for a profound discussion following their visit to the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism in Berlin.

In this first episode of the Echoes of Memory podcast, they explore the deep significance of the memorial, its striking design, and the decades-long struggle for the recognition of the Roma victims of the Holocaust. The conversation weaves together personal memories, the power of symbolic architecture, and the broader political context to examine how Roma remembrance is shaped—from intimate family silences to public monuments. Most importantly, they discuss why the fight to preserve this memory remains urgent today.

Through heartfelt reflections and critical insights, this episode highlights the necessity of confronting history to build a more just future.

Moderator: Petro Rusanienko
Participants: Roxy Toledo Munrose
Danylo Hromyko
Maria Atanasova

Director: Petro Rusanienko
Editor: Mariia Korostelova
Videographer: Sztaniszlav Bendarzsevszkij
Transcription / Subtitle Editor: Mari Hakopyan
Subtitle Translator: Lucia Lumme

Project Coordinator: Arta Rexhepi
Mentor: Timea Junghaus
Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka
Communication: Radu Sticlea, Adelina Miron

Developed by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).
Funded by the EVZ Foundation and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) within the programme 'YOUNG PEOPLE remember on site & committed'.
Supported by the Council of Europe, Roma Foundation for Europe, and Open Society Foundations.

This publication does not represent an opinion of the EVZ Foundation or the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM). The author is responsible for the content statements.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on memory, history, and Roma identity.
📢 Help amplify Roma voices by sharing this video.

#holocaustremembrance #holocaustmemorial #holocausteducation #romaniholocaust #romaniholocaustremembrance #eriac #romaniholocausteducation #sintiandromaholocaust #echoesofmemorypodcast #podcast #neverforget

Pierre Chopinaud: The Power of May 16, 1944

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2025-05-16 | This masterclass examines the revolt of Romani prisoners at Auschwitz-Birkenau on May 16, 1944, and its significance for political organizing today. Drawing on personal experience, historical research, and first-hand testimonies, Pierre Chopinaud shows how suppressed stories of resistance can challenge dominant narratives of victimhood and inspire concrete action. The lecture focuses on the need to build collective power in the face of ongoing injustice, using history not only to remember but to act.

Pierre Chopinaud, a writer and political scientist, has been a key Roma activist in France for over a decade, advocating for Roma rights, challenging systemic discrimination, and working to improve living conditions, education, and healthcare for Roma communities. As one of the few voices championing this cause, alongside activists like Samir Mile and Anina Ciuciu, he has played a crucial role in fostering social inclusion and justice.

This masterclass is part of Roma Art of Resistance, a public programme commemorating May 16 – International Romani Resistance Day, organised by ERIAC, co-funded by the European Union, and implemented by the Council of Europe. The views expressed in this recording do not in any way reflect the official views of the European Union or the Council of Europe.

𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀 𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐘 - Live concert

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-12-06 | "𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀 𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐘"
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Akademie der Künste – Pariser Platz 4, 10117 Berlin
𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: December 5.12.2024,19:00 - 23:00
𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀: Bajsa Arifovska feat. Hermalogic Duo, Zea, DJ Aldessa
𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗗: ERIAC Facebook Page, ERIAC YouTube channel

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬:
𝐁𝐀𝐉𝐒𝐀 𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐎𝐕𝐒𝐊𝐀
born in Kočani, Macedonia, is a renowned multi-instrumentalist and professor of traditional Macedonian instruments. She studied at the Skopje Music Academy and began her professional career with the Dragan Dautovski Quartet, touring internationally and mastering instruments like the kaval, gajda, tambura, and tapan. Bajsa has actively promoted Macedonian and Roma folk music, arranging and conducting the Mandolin Orchestra at the Darhia Roma Cultural Center since 2003. She has taught at the Ilija Nikolovski-Luj State Musical High School since 2000, and collaborates with the National Ensemble for Folk Dances "Tanec" in Skopje. Her work blends Macedonian folk traditions with modern world music influences. She has recorded multiple albums and composed music for the ballet “Broken Dream.” Bajsa continues to perform, teach, and inspire new generations of musicians, making her one of Macedonia’s most respected and versatile musicians.

𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐃𝐔𝐎
is a unique piano and percussion duo from Slovenia.
Pianist Krist Korat has finished his studies at Anton Bruckner’s music university in the field of jazz, being mentored by Dejan Pečenko and Helmut Schoenleitner. Percussionist Damir Mazrek is deeply involved in the research of the traditional and modern styles of music, on the basis of which his own style of playing is being developed.
Ten years of their music style development has produced a unique interaction between percussion and piano. Harmelogic has become an artistic duo that has not been heard before. Although its music is heavily based on Balkan, Mediterranean and African cultures, you will also hear a fresh modern music influence, with elements of jazz, blues, latin and hip hop.

𝐃𝐉 𝐀𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀
is a Roma feminist from Romania who’s using music as a political tool to educate and raise awareness about Roma culture. In 2017, she created Manele Feministe, a party that was her response to the way Roma culture and the manele genre were often misunderstood and appropriated by gadje (non-roma). With every DJ set, she brings a feminist, intersectional approach, spinning tracks that amplify unheard voices, decolonize the beats, and challenge the norms on the dance floor.
Aldessa’s music and activism go far beyond Romania. She’s collaborated with NGOs and collectives in cities like Bucharest, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, Cartagena, and Brussels, where she’s currently based. For her, music is a powerful tool for change, a way to shift mindsets and challenge the status quo.

𝐙𝐄𝐀
is a singer, actress, model and dancer born in Prešov, Slovakia. She represents the alternative pop genre, which is closest to her heart. She has released one debut album, Burning Light, on which she collaborated with Slovak-Canadian producer Milan André. Her most recent single, Backslide, has been a great success.
She is a proud Roma woman, whose great-grandmother was Elena Lacková, the first Roma woman to graduate from Charles University, a Roma writer whose biography Narodila som sa pod šťastnou hviezdou ("I Was Born Under a Lucky Star") was translated into several foreign languages. She also received a presidential award. Elena Lacková is an inspiration to Zea, and she strives to follow in her footsteps.

Delaine Le Bas: „For My Brother Nino, In Search of Eldorado”

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-11-28 | Turner Prize 2024 nominee Delaine Le Bas presented her performance on the occasion of the opening of Nihad Nino Pušija: In Search of Eldorado - Roma and Sinti in the Struggle for Representation, on November 8, 2024 at ERIAC.
Delaine Le Bas in interaction with the newly published monograph of Nihad Nino Pušija, reflects on the photographer’s emotional connection and closeness to the people portrayed in his publication.

This project enjoyed the support of Hauptstadtkulturfonds, the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.

Nihad Nino Pušija: In Search of Eldorado

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-11-19 | ERIAC presented the monograph of Nihad Nino Pušija: In Search of Eldorado – Roma and Sinti in the Struggle for Representation, on November 8, 2024. In the frame of the launch event, the editors of the monograph, Rena Rädle & Vladan Jeremić discussed about Pušija's photographic ouvre with some of the authors of the publication, namely Suzana Milevska (Curator and theorist of art and visual culture), Moritz Pankok (Artistic director, Gallery Kai Dikhas) and the artist Nihad Nino Pušija himself.

The monograph presents a selection of Nihad Nino Pušija’s artistic work spanning more than three decades. It focuses on those photographs from his diverse body of work that have been taken of and with people who identify predominantly as members of the Roma community. These are pictures that express the photographer’s emotional connection and closeness to the people portrayed. Over the years, a visual archive has emerged that also represents an intimate chronicle of the struggle for political participation and cultural representation of Sinti and Roma. As a photographer interested in the micro-histories of the people in his immediate surroundings, Nino explores the possibilities of breaking through the visual canon of photography of Sinti and Roma, which is characterised by ethnicisation, clichés and typologisation. For him, photography is a tool that can contribute to the self-representation of marginalised people.

This project has been made possible through the support of Hauptstadtkulturfonds (HKF), the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.

Charly Bechaimont, The Taste of Blood, 2024, performance piece and installation

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-10-31 | In The Taste of Blood, Charly Bechaimont delves into a deeply personal yet universally resonant exploration of memory, identity, and historical silence. This performance and installation piece draws from Bechaimont's encounter with his family's untold history during a visit to Montreuil-Bellay, the largest camp dedicated to the internment of nomads in France.

Bechaimont intertwines physical and metaphorical elements, to embody the visceral connection to his ancestry and the camp's legacy. The metal piece was inserted into the wall during the opening of the exhibition CARGO – of Dust and Ashes, in commemoration of the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Roma and Sinti.

CARGO
– of Dust and Ashes

Exhibition featuring works of Charly Bechaimont (FR), Anita Horváth (HU), Lila Loisse (UK)
Curated by RomaMoMA
2 August – 1 November, 2024

Reconstructing History “from Dust and Ashes”

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-10-30 | To mark the 80th anniversary of the Roma Holocaust and commemorate European Holocaust Memorial Day for Roma and Sinti, ERIAC presented the exhibition CARGO -of Dust and Ashes, curated by Emese Molnár | RomaMoMA. The show aimed a collective reconstruction of history, through the lenses of the youngest generations of artists of Roma origin.

Charly Bechaimont (FR), Anita Horváth (HU), and Lila Loisse (UK), representing a range of Roma communities from across Europe, embarked on a journey to uncover their own personal histories – of their ancestors, and of their broader communities. They explored the ways that trauma is transmitted through layers of generations, aiming to create spaces for our shared memory.

The opening event featured a panel discussion with the artists, in conversation with independent curator Isabel Raabe, one of the initiators of RomArchive – Digital Archive of Sinti and Roma.

This project was realized with the support of the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion of the State of Berlin.

Ciprian Necula: Exploring Romanian Roma History through Roma Agency

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-08-06 | Ciprian Necula is a distinguished sociologist and activist, deeply committed to the advancement of Roma rights and social justice in Romania. Necula's academic foundation is built on his studies at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, where he earned a degree in political science. His dedication to understanding and addressing social issues led him to pursue a Ph.D. in sociology, where his dissertation, "Ethnicity and Economic Strategies toward Roma during Communism," explored the complex economic and social dynamics of the Roma community during and after the communist era.

His career is marked by significant contributions to both governmental and non-governmental sectors including serving as State Secretary in the Romanian Ministry of European Funds, and he has been pivotal figure in numerous anti-discrimination campaigns and initiatives aimed at promoting Roma rights. His work as founder of Roma Civic Platform, Aresel and chairman of Roma Education Fund Foundation has been instrumental in challenging prejudices and fostering greater understanding of Roma issues.

In this masterclass, Ciprian Necula offers a profound exploration of Romanian Roma history, focusing on the concept of Roma agency. He examines the political aspects of Roma history in Romania, providing insights into Roma politics and identity from a perspective rooted in the experiences and agency of the Roma themselves, rather than from positions of external power.

Commemoration on 2 August 2024 | European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-08-03 | On August 2, 2024, we will solemnly commemorate the 80th anniversary of the brutal murder of 4,300 Sinti and Roma by the SS in Auschwitz-Birkenau. This tragic event is part of a broader history in which 500,000 Sinti and Roma were systematically murdered in Nazi-occupied Europe. In honor of their memory, the European Parliament declared August 2 as the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma in 2015.

This year’s commemoration will bring together members of the Roma Foundation for Europe Network, including representatives from:

* European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC)
* Roma Foundation for Europe
* Roma for Democracy International
* Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI)
* Roma Education Fund

For detailed information about the commemoration, including the schedule, background information, and press materials, please visit the official conference website and the respective pages of our network members: https://www.roma-sinti-holocaust-memorial-day.eu/

(Plenary Session) Roma Holocaust Remembrance, Human Rights & Antigypsyism

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-07-25 | Plenary Session on Roma Holocaust Remembrance, Human Rights & Antigypsyism.

Guest speaker:

Zeljko Jovanovic
President, Roma For Europe Foundation

Dr. Maria Bogdan - The Media Representation of Roma in the Age of Social Media

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-06-27 | In this masterclass, Dr. Maria Bogdan delves into media representation, particularly focusing on the transformative role of social media in empowering Roma communities to dismantle stereotypical images. From exploring the theoretical foundations to examining self-representation in the digital age, this session challenges and redefines our understanding of Roma imagery in mainstream media. It underscores the significant power of media in constructing societal discourses and different politics of representation and diversity.

Dr. Maria Bogdan is a distinguished media theorist and social scientist, deeply engaged in examining media representation and racism. Her research explores social media and social movements, with a particular emphasis on Roma movements. She earned her PhD from the Film, Media, and Culture Theory Doctoral Program at the Doctoral School of Philosophy of Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, presenting her thesis on the media representation of Roma in Hungary, aptly titled "The Visible Stranger."

As a scholar, Dr. Bogdan is actively involved with the Romani Studies Department at the Central European University and is one of the founding editors of the Critical Romani Studies journal. Her academic pursuits are complemented by her background in journalism and film directing, and she continues to contribute to the field as a freelance journalist.

- Discover more on Barvalipe Masterclass

CORE: DREPT LA REPLICA - Cat Jugravu & Marcos Vivaldi

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-06-06 | "It only took 600
To turn barracks into bastions,
Oppressors into losers
An act which was never seen before
And this is their legacy"

On May 16, on the occasion of the International Day of Romani Resistance, ERIAC presented

CORE - Drept la Replică

a spoken word performance by Cat Jugravu & Marcos Vivaldi

Live Sound Engineering: Rey KM Domurat
Stage Management: Ali Bay
Production: QUEERDOS Kollektiv

With the support of the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion of the State of Berlin, as part of "Berlin Tales-The Margins Strike Back".

Miguel Ángel Vargas: The Evolution of Romani Performing Arts

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-27 | Miguel Ángel Vargas, a Spanish artist from Andalusian-Gitano roots, holds a degree in Art History and is pursuing a PhD in Contemporary History at the University of Seville. With a background in Theatre Direction, he's deeply involved in flamenco and theatre, particularly passionate about portraying the stories of Gitano fieldworkers from Lebrija. His extensive portfolio includes roles as actor, musician, director, and technician across Spain, Germany, and England. Committed to philanthropy, he's involved in research projects and teaches in diverse settings, including a women's prison in Seville and the MA scenography program at Saint Martin School in London. A voracious reader and avid conversationalist, he embodies the essence of creativity and empathy.

In his masterclass, Miguel Ángel Vargas explores the evolution of Romani performing arts across different contexts, spanning from the dawn of modernity to the challenges of the twenty-first century. Through examples such as Romani Turkish Puppet tradition and Spanish Golden Age Theatre, Vargas highlights the capacity of Romani artistic agency to transcend genre limits and adapt public discourses.

- Discover more on Barvalipe Masterclass: eriac.org/barvalipe-masterclass

ACTUACIÓN BROCHE FINAL

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-26 | Vicente Soto “Sordera” y Juan Carmona
Alicia Gil y Lito Espinosa

HOMENAJE A NUEVOS SOCIOS DE HONOR. 25-5 21:00

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-26 | Homenaje a los maestros y nuevos Socios de Honor de Flamenco. Siglo XXI: Víctor Monge “Serranito”, Vicente Soto “Sordera” y Manuel de Paula.
Ofrecimiento: Joaquín López Bustamante (Poeta y Periodista de RNE)

MESA REDONDA. LIBERTAD CREATIVA EN EL FLAMENCO. 25-5 18:30

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-26 | Tere Peña (Moderadora/Periodista y Locutora),
Tomatito (Guitarrista y Compositor),
Juan Carmona (Compositor, Guitarrista y Miembro Directiva SGAE),
Pastora Galván (Bailaora),
Francisco Suárez (Dramaturgo, Dir. Teatral y Escritor)

MESA REDONDA. TESTIMONIOS. 25-5 12:30

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-26 | Pedro María Peña (Moderador/Presidente de F.S.XXI),
Cristina Cruces (Catedrática en Antropología),
Pastora Filigrana (Licenciada en Derecho)
y Esperanza Fernández (Cantaora).

CONFERENCIA. IDENTIDAD Y GÉNERO EN EL FLAMENCO 25-5 11:00

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-25 | Cristina Cruces (Catedrática en Antropología):
Invisibles, fascinantes, sometidas, empoderadas.
Paradojas históricas de las mujeres flamencas.

ACTUACIÓN De 21:00 a 22:30 h Fernanda Peña y Pedro Mª Peña / Manuela del Moya y Antonio Moya

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-25 | ...

MESA REDONDA. RETOS ACTUALES A LOS QUE SE ENFRENTA EL FLAMENCO. 24-5 18:00

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-25 | Mesa redonda con profesionales del flamenco.
Casto Márquez (Moderador/Secretario F.S.XXI, Poeta y Licenciado en Derecho), Alicia Gil (Cantaora), María Larroca (Empresaria Artística) Antonio González (Bailaor/Presidente de Unión Flamenca), Guillermo McGill (Músico, Compositor/UDM F.S. XXI), Juan Parrilla (Compositor, Músico y Miembro de la Junta Directiva de SGAE) y Luis Ybarra (Director de la Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla).

MESA REDONDA. FLAMENCO Y PATRIMONIO 24-5 12:00

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-25 | Presentación del Proyecto ROMHERITAGE “Itinerarios Europeos del Patrimonio Cultural Gitano”
Mesa redonda sobre Patrimonio cultural gitano. Coordina Presencia Gitana. Invitados: Fabián Sánchez (Presidente PG.),
Y Carmen Santiago (Kamira/Licenciada en Derecho),
Gonzalo Montaño (Coordinador P.G.), Instituto Cervantes, Comisión Europea en España/Europa Creativa y ERIAC.

PRESENTACIÓN SEMINARIO 24-5 11:00.

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2024-05-24 | A.C. Flamenco Siglo XXI, Presencia Gitana y CICUS presentan y dan apertura al Seminario
Pedro María Peña (Presidente FLAMENCO SIGLO XXI),
Alicia Gil (Coordinadora FLAMENCO SIGLO XXI),
Fabián Sánchez (Presidente PRESENCIA GITANA),
Gonzalo Montaño (Coordinador PRESENCIA GITANA),
CICUS e Instituciones.

BARVALO. Roma, Sinti, Manouches, Gitanos, Travellers...

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2023-12-23 | The summer of 2023 saw a true landmark accomplishment in the promotion and celebration of Romani art and culture. The Barvalo exhibition, on view from 9 May until 4 September at Marseille’s Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Mediterranée (“Mucem”), was the first of its kind: by far the largest and most visible museum project ever focused on Romani people, and likewise the only participatory, collaborative, Roma-driven, Roma-centred museum exhibition ever to be mounted at such a scale. Barvalo has been awarded The Historia Prize for the best museum exhibition of 2023.
“Barvalo”, meaning “rich” and by extension “proud” in Romani, was dedicated to the history and diversity of the Romani peoples of Europe. The exhibition, co-curated by ERIAC in partnership with the Mucem, was designed collaboratively by a team of nineteen people of Romani (Roma, Sinti, Manouches, Gitanos, Travellers) and non-Romani origin, of different nationalities and backgrounds who have all been working on this groundbreaking project since 2018.
The exhibition brought together 200 works and documents (printed, video and sound) from French and European public and private collections, including the Louvre Museum, the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, the Museum of Ethnography in Geneva, the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, the Nicéphore Niépce Museum in Chalon-sur-Saône, the Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, the Archives municipales de Marseille, the Médiathèque Matéo Maximoff, the Musée de Grenoble, the National History Museum and the National Archives of Romania, the Kai Dikhas Foundation, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture in Berlin, the Dokumentations- und Kulturzentrum Deutscher Sinti und Roma in Heidelberg.

Art historian Timea Junghaus, ERIAC’s executive director and Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, deputy director of ERIAC, co-curator of the exhibition, guide you through the different thematic sections and highlights of the exhibition.

Tajsa Roma Cultural Heritage Prize 2023 Award Ceremony

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2023-12-08 | The Tajsa Prize embodies the founding principles of ERIAC and the spirit of Roma history and cultural heritage while looking onwards, shaping and re-inventing forms of Roma cultural expressions for the next generations. The prize aims to honor outstanding individuals leading voices of the Roma cultural movement today. It seeks to encourage Roma pride and promote the creativity, virtuosity, and talent of Roma cultural producers.

During this extraordinary evening, we are delighted to host a lineup of artists who will grace the stage and lend their unique voices to the celebration. The featured artists include the young musical talent Penelope Tordai from Hungary on the cimbalom, one of the winners of last year's ERIAC’s Proud Roma Talent competition. Mónika Lakatos, the lead singer of the Romengo band and the first artist of Romani descent to receive the WOMEX Award in 2020, accompanied by Mihály "Mazsi" Rostás on the guitar. A real prodigy from Spain, flamenco pianist Anton Cortés, will continue the night; he just received the prestigious Venencia Flamenca, the highest award in the frame of the Flamenco de la Mistela Festival. The evening will culminate in an authentic flamenco show by Farruquito with an adaptation of his newest choreography, “Íntimo”. The evening hosts will be the acclaimed actresses Riah Knight and Selvije Mustafi.

Each year, the endowment of the Tajsa Prize is sponsored entirely by the ERIAC associate membership to promote the pedagogy of Roma contribution and self-determination. In 2023, the Tajsa Prize comes with an endowment of 10,000 euros.

The Tajsa Prize 2023 Ceremony took place at the esteemed Maxim Gorki Theatre in Berlin on November 30, 2023, where Małgorzata Mirga-Tas was recognized for her exceptional contributions to Roma cultural heritage. The event was a testament to the dedication and impact of this extraordinary individual.

The Tajsa Cultural Heritage Prize Ceremony 2023 is an event co-financed by the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Commission in the frame of the ERIACNET4EU project and ERIAC.

PANELO 4. GLOBALO KOOPERACIA THAJ ČHIBJAKI HARMONIZACIA

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2023-11-24 | Elisa Costa, Romane Čhibjaki Iniciativa andi Brazilia
Erik Decker, Sikljarno vaš i Anglikani thaj Romani Čhib, USA
Zameer Anwar, Indiako Konsilo vaš Internacionalo Kooperacia

Q&A, Moderatoro: Mihaela Zatreanu, Šerutni Ekspertka vaš le ERIAC-eski Romane Čhibjaki Iniciativa

PANELO 3. STRATEGIKANI KOOPERACIA ANDI EVROPA VAŠ I KHETANI ROMANI

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2023-11-24 | Diana Kirilova, Doktorka pal Edukaciake Džanglimata thaj Sikljarni pal i Romani Čhib ki
Södertörn Universiteta
Szilvia Lakatos, Uči Lektorka pal Romane Studie ki Pécs Universiteta, Ungriko
David Strauß, Sikljarno vaš i Germanikani thaj Sintikani Čhib, Germania

Q&A Moderatorka: Gilda-Nancy Horvath, džurnalistka, membra ando bordo le ERIAC-esko

PANELO 2. HARMONIZACIAKO PROCESO THAJ SIKLIMASKE MATERIALURJA

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2023-11-24 | Delia Grigore, Šerutni katar o Programo vaš i Romani Čhib thaj Literatura ki Bukurešti Universitata, Prezidentka katar i Asociacia Romano Centro „Amare Romentza”, membra ande le ERIAC-eski Barvalipe Akademia
Jan Červenka, Lektorko pal Romane Studie ki Charles Universiteta, Praga
Cristian Pădure, Lektoro ki Bukurešti Universitata pal i Romani Čhib

Q&A, Moderatoro: Andrijano Dzeladin, Džurnalisto, koordinatoro katar le ERIAC-eski Tematikani Sekcia pal i Romani Čhib

PANELO 1. PUTARIMASKE INFORMACIE

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2023-11-24 | Bjørn Berge, Dujto Generalo Sekretaro, Konsilo le Evropako
Sabine Verheyen, Šerutni katar o Komiteto vaš i Kultura thaj Edukacia (CULT); Komiteto vaš o Barjaripe (DEVE) & Specialo Komiteto vaš Avrutno Khuvipe ande savore Demokratikane procesurja andar i Evropaki Unia thaj vi Došali Informacia (INGE)
Szabolcs Schmidt, Serutno katar o Uniteto, Bi-diskriminacia thaj Romengi Koordinacia (JUST.D.1), Evropaki Komisia

Timea Junghaus, Eksekutivno Direktorka katar o ERIAC, Introdukcia pal e vakjarne

PANEL 2. HARMONIZATION PROCESS AND TEACHING MATERIALS

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2023-11-24 | Delia Grigore, Head of the Rromani Language and Literature Study Program at the University of Bucharest; President of the Association Rroma Center "Amare Rromentza"; Member of ERIAC Barvalipe Academy
Jan Červenka, Lecturer of Romani Studies at Charles University, Prague
Cristian Pădure, Lecturer at the University of Bucharest for Romani language

Q&A, Moderator: Andrijano Dzeladin, journalist; Coordinator of ERIAC Romani Language Thematic Section

PANEL 1. OPENING KEYNOTES

European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture 2023-11-24 | Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General, Council of Europe
Sabine Verheyen, Chairwoman of the Committee for Culture and Education (CULT); Committee for Development (DEVE) & Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE)
Szabolcs Schmidt, Head of Unit, Non-discrimination and Roma coordination (JUST.D.1), European Commission

Timea Junghaus, Executive Director ERIAC, Introduction of the speakers