21 media professionals (journalists, photographers, editors-in chief, artists) from 10 countries, Roma and non-Roma, met in Berlin for a two-day immersion into Roma and Travellers’ history and culture. They shared deep reflections and encouraged each other to take a step aside from their usual professional practice, question ethics and biais, and sharpen their knowledge. This learning opportunity was provided by the Joint Programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe on Roma Holocaust Remembrance and Education (JP Roma Memory), the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) and in co-operation with the Bildungsforum Gegen Antitziganismus.
Anna Alboth, Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka and Jake Bowers drove participants through an intellectual and emotional journey via
- Roma rights activism
- contextualising Roma identity and culture through a historical lens, centering resistance and agency in Holocaust narratives
- revealing Roma arts and culture
- reflective visit to the Memorial to Roma and Sinti victims of the Nazi genocide
- media monitoring, stereotyping and narrative shift
Among key learning revelations, participants noted narrative sovereignty, lack of research and archiving in many countries, and absence of memorialisation of historical sites.
The Roma holocaust remains underrepresented in commemorative practices, scholarship, and education on the Second World War in Europe, despite efforts by scholars and educators in the last two decades. Several European member states display strong feelings against their Roma populations, while others have made significant steps in the introduction of Roma History and the History of the Roma Holocaust in their school curricula. Under JP Roma Memory, we build alliances with media professionals to improve public awareness on the Roma history and culture.
