On 2 August we commemorate Roma Genocide Remembrance Day, in honor of the Roma victims murdered in the genocide carried out by Nazi Germany and other collaborators who participated in these crimes.
This date commemorates the night in 1944 when the “family camp” for Roma at Auschwitz-Birkenau was liquidated, and thousands of remaining men, women and children held there were gassed.
Commemoration events play a significant role in advancing remembrance of this genocide and in countering anti-Roma racism. To remember the victims and honor the survivors, governments and civil society organizations all over the world will hold commemoration events, both online and in person. If you would like to add your event to this overview, please send an email to info@holocaustremembrance.com.
Croatia
The Croatian Romani Union KALI SARA, together with elected Roma representatives, MP Veljko Kajtazi and with the support of the Croatian government, organised the annual commemoration on the 2nd of August. The ceremony took place at the Roma cemetery and in the Roma Memorial Centre in Uštica, and was broadcast live on national television, on Channel 4 at 10:00 CEST.
Greece
The Association of Romni (Roma women) of Dendropotamos held a commemorative event on Tuesday, August 2 at 20:00 EEST at the GEORGE cafe on Konstantinoupoleos street. The event takes place within the framework of the Council of Europe's Roma Political School 2022, and featured the participation of Paul Hagouel, Chair of the IHRA Committee on the Genocide of the Roma, and was streamed digitally via Zoom.
Hungary
The Holocaust Memorial Center in Budapest organized jointly with the Roma Production Bureau a set of events commemorating the victims of the genocide of the Roma. The program included opening of an art exhibition, music, reciting of poetry, speeches by representatives of the authorities and Roma communities and laying wreaths at the memorial of the Pharrajimos. According to the tradition, the program was closed by lightning the candles of remembrance at the Memorial Wall of Victims at the Holocaust Memorial Center.
Poland
An official commemoration took place at Auschwitz-Birkenau on 2 August at 11.30 CEST, in person and livestreamed. It featured speeches from survivor Christian Pfeil, the President of the German Bundesrat Bodo Ramelow, EU Commissioner Helena Dalli, a representative of the Polish government, and Ukrainian Roma activist Natali Tomenko on behalf of Dikh He Na Bister.
Sweden
The Living History Forum has produced a short documentary about Sofia Taikon who survived Auschwitz Birkenau, among other camps. The film, by filmmaker Johan Palmgren, features Sofia’s nephew Fred Taikon, prominent Swedish Roma activist and organiser. It is free to use by anyone who want to highlight the Roma Genocide Remembrance Day. Other resources for schools, libraries, congregations, and others are also published on the agency’s website.
A social media campaign “A part of our history”, based on pictures and facts about the genocide of the Roma and antiziganism will be launched during the weeks leading up to the Roma Genocide Remembrance Day.
The Living History Forum is also supporting The Swedish Roma Film festival, SIRF, in arranging a memorial ceremony on Raoul Wallenberg Square in central Stockholm on 2 August.
Slovakia
The Sereď Holocaust Museum will commemorate the Roma Genocide Memorial Day on 1 August, by opening an exhibition entitled "Persecution of the Roma During the Holocaust" and with a concert by Sendreiovci and Kokavakere Lavutara. The event will take place in cooperation with the office of the plenipotentiary of the Slovak government for Roma communities. The exhibition will then travel to elementary and secondary schools throughout Slovakia.
On 2 August, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising in Banska Bystrica. This event is organised by the governmental plenipotentiary for Roma communities Mr. Jan Hero, in co-operation with the Slovak NGO In Minorita.
See Roma Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration events in 2020
See Roma Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration events in 2021
