The Romani language is at the heart of Roma identity, community belonging, and social participation. Today, its role becomes even more significant: it is both a marker of heritage and a living tool of communication that unites Roma across borders and dialects.
The Council of Europe is active in promoting and protecting Romani through a range of initiatives and legal tools. As part of this on the International Romani language day marked on 5 November the Council of Europe’s Roma and Travellers division and the European Roma Institute for arts and culture (ERIAC), are holding at the institute’s premises in Berlin the sixth International Conference on ”Safeguarding the Romani language”.
Literature and language: central to Roma culture
Romani as a pathway to identity, equity and inclusion in the European and international Roma migration context is a key theme of the conference. The event gathers international experts in Romani-language education, linguistics, and cultural heritage, uniting voices from academia, government, and community organisations to continue advancing the international Romani-language reform and harmonising Romani usage across borders.
The role of literature in preserving Romani is another important topic. This year’s conference marks the next phase in the formation of the Romani PEN centre, an aspiring member of the PEN International network of writers. The initiative seeks to unite Romani writers, poets, translators, and language advocates across Europe and beyond, strengthening transnational collaboration and amplifying Roma voices in the international literary landscape. The European Roma Institute for arts and culture will gather founding members to approve the statute and formalise the creation of this long-awaited platform for Romani literary professionals.
European Charter for regional or minority languages
The European Charter for regional or minority languages is a unique legal tool created by the Council of Europe, under which the Romani language is protected. Romani enjoys varying levels of protection in 16 of the 25 states that have ratified the charter.
A new factsheet on the protection of Romani under the charter has been launched. It presents recommendations on promoting Romani and integrating it more fully into public life. It also identifies challenges across states parties to the charter.
The Committee of experts of the European charter encourages the adoption of comprehensive strategies for promoting Romani, including the improvement of teacher training and of the Romani-language media offer, as well as ensuring sustainable funding for its support.
The factsheet is available in Romani, English and French.
European Charter for regional or minority languages
European Charter for regional or minority languages in Romani
The Council of Europe and the Romani language
