April 8: International Roma Day

Céline Arétin, culture, women's issues and environment correspondent, April 8, 2025

Origin and objectives of this day

International Roma Day was established on April 8, 1971, at the first World Romani Congress held in London. This gathering brought together Roma representatives from 14 countries, who officially adopted the flag and the international Roma anthem, titled "Gelem Gelem." This day aims to promote Roma culture, defend the rights of this population, and raise public awareness of the discrimination it faces. It is estimated that around 12 million Roma live in Europe, with large populations in Romania (about 2 million), Bulgaria and Hungary. In France, nearly 500,000 people are of Roma origin.

Symbols of the Roma community

The Roma flag consists of two horizontal stripes: blue represents the sky and freedom, while green symbolizes the earth and nomadic roots. At the center is a red wheel with 16 spokes, inspired by the Indian chakra, recalling the origins of the Roma people in India. The anthem "Gelem Gelem" evokes the persecution suffered by the Roma, notably during the Second World War, when nearly 500,000 of them fell victim to the Nazi genocide. Despite these tragedies, Roma music has influenced genres such as flamenco in Spain, Balkan gypsy music, and Gypsy jazz popularized by Django Reinhardt.

History of the persecution suffered by the Roma

From the Middle Ages onward, the Roma were victims of discrimination in Europe, notably in the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia until the 19th century. During the Second World War, the Nazis carried out a genocide targeting the Roma, known as the "Porajmos" or "Samudaripen," resulting in around 500,000 victims. In Germany, the 1935 Nuremberg race laws led to the mass deportation of Roma to extermination camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau. In France, more than 3,000 Roma were interned in camps such as the one at Montreuil-Bellay. Beyond the Second World War, persecution continued long after the conflict. In communist Czechoslovakia, forced sterilization policies targeted Roma women until the 1990s.