International Romani Day 2024 (UK): Annually, International Romani Day is observed on April 8. The first significant international gathering of Romani delegates, which was held in April 1971 in Chelsfield, near London, is commemorated on this day annually. This day of international cultural awareness honors the art, culture, and significant contributions of the Roma to our societies.
Additionally, it is a day to recognize and emphasize the various obstacles that the Romani, one of the most populous minority groups in Europe at present, face. The Romani continue to oppressed by systemic discrimination, poverty, and social exclusion in the twenty-first century. All international and European institutions and organizations observe International Romani Day today.
International Romani Day History
International Romani Day began with the first major Roma meeting in Chelsfield, UK, from April 7–12, 1971. Twenty-three delegates from nine nations attended the first World Romani Congress. April 8 was declared International Day of the Roma in 1990, coinciding with the fourth World Romani Congress in Serock, Poland. At the 1990 World Romani Congress of the International Romani Union (I.R.U.), 250 delegates discussed language, education, public relations, and World War II reparations.
Roma were originally nomadic court musicians from South Asia, presently Pakistan and India. Romani are nomadic migrants who adopt host societies’ cultures yet retain their language and genetics. In the Middle Ages, Roma moved to Turkey, France, and Spain. After arriving in Spain, Romani culture blended with Iberian, Jewish, Muslim, and Moorish cultures, creating Flamenco.
Due to extinction plans by Communist regimes in Asia and Nazi Germany, Roma are among the most persecuted people worldwide. In the early 1800s, many Romani immigrated to the US, Canada, and Brazil. One million Roma live in the US, 800,000 in Brazil, and 80,000 in Canada.
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International Romani Day 2024 (UK) FAQs
What is the Romani language?
Romani (‘Rromanës,’ alternatively referred to as Romany) is an Indo-Aryan macrolanguage that is spoken by the Romani communities.
Which language resembles Romani most?
Romani is a South Asian language and part of the Indo-Iranian and Indo-Aryan languages. Romani is closely related to Sanskrit and Indic languages like Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi since it shares its lexicon and grammar.
What precisely is “Roma”?
The term ‘Roma’ denotes various sub-groups within the Romani communities and translates to’man’.
International Romani Day 2024 (UK) Activities
Further reading on the Roma
An abundance of remarkable resources are available to assist in the study of the Roma people and culture. One such resource is “We Are Romani People,” written by Ian F. Hancock.
Attend the festivities.
Determine whether it is possible to partake in the Roma’s observance of this international day in your immediate vicinity. You will be cordially received as a sign of solidarity.
Exhibit your Romani ancestry
Do you possess Romani DNA in your veins? Utilize the hashtags #InternationalRomaniDay, #RomaniDay, and #Romani on social media to express your ancestral pride!
Five noteworthy details regarding the Roma
Approximately 12 million Roma exist globally.
According to estimates, the Roma population in the United States is approximately one million, in Turkey it is 2.75 million, and in Hungary, Russia, Serbia, Spain, and France it can reach as high as 12 percent.
Avoid the term “gypsies.”
The Roma have also been stigmatized by Europeans, who erroneously believed them to have originated in Egypt and therefore referred to them as “gypsies.”
They were subjected to abhorrent persecution.
During the Middle Ages, Romani were executed in England, Switzerland, and Denmark, and expulsion orders were issued by countries including Germany, Italy, and Portugal.
Their culture is intriguing and opulent.
The extraordinary musical legacy of the Roma people has impacted not only flamenco, jazz, and bolero, but also classical composers such as Franz Liszt.
They remain substantially disadvantaged.
Approximately 80% of the Romani residing in Europe are destitute.
INTERNATIONAL ROMANI DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | April 8 | Monday |
| 2025 | April 8 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | April 8 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | April 8 | Thursday |
| 2028 | April 8 | Saturday |
