April 8th is celebrated as the International Roma Day, also known as Romano Dives. This date commemorates the first World Romani Congress held in London in 1971, during which key identity symbols were adopted, such as the Romani flag and the song Gelem Gelem. In addition to being a moment to celebrate the culture and history of these communities, the day draws attention to the discrimination that Roma people still face today and emphasizes the urgent need for concrete action towards inclusion.
Despite numerous national and international efforts, Roma communities continue to be among the most marginalized in Europe. Access to education, work and housing is often hindered by deeply rooted stereotypes and ineffective integration policies. In this context, ACADE-ME – Accelerating Capabilities against Anti-gypsyism and Discriminations in Education was born, a project funded by the European program Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV). ACADE-ME aims to address the root causes of anti-Gypsyism by focusing on education, awareness and the promotion of positive models. The goal is to promote a more equitable society where Roma communities can reach their full potential without discrimination.
To make this commitment tangible, the Municipality of Rome will also celebrate International Roma Day with a special event at Città dell’Altra Economia (Largo Dino Frisullo), scheduled for Tuesday, April 8th, from 3:30 PM. The initiative will serve as a moment for discussion and reflection on inclusion policies and the challenges that remain, with the aim of stimulating a real and lasting change: overcoming of Roma camps, access to rights and strategies to fight discrimination. The event will involve institutional representatives, associations, activists and members of Roma communities.
The day will conclude with a traditional Romani music concert, offering an opportunity to celebrate the identity and cultural richness of Roma communities through music, which has always been a central element of their tradition. The event is promoted by the Department for Social Policies of Roma Capitale, with technical assistance from ANCI Lazio.
As part of initiatives to promote Romani culture and combat anti-Gypsyism, ROMNI, a partner in the ACADE-ME project, is organizing “ROMANCE”, a week dedicated to promoting Romani culture and combating anti-Gypsyism, taking place in Rome on April 6th, 11th and 30th. Thanks to the valuable work of activists, volunteers and artists, the week will feature events that combine art, music, cinema and good food, creating a space for meeting and discovery where people can learn about and appreciate the best of Romani culture in a spirit of sharing and dialogue. Download the program
Participating in these initiatives means contributing to the building of a more inclusive future that respects the rights of all.
