International Romani Day
April 8 is International Romani Day. This day is intended to draw attention to the culture, history, and issues of the Romani people, highlighting the contribution of the Romani community worldwide. This date serves as a symbol of respect for the multifaceted identity of the Roma while also reminding us of the challenges they continue to face today.
In Ukraine, the Roma people have always been and remain an integral part of our shared history and present. In difficult times, we stand together in solidarity, demonstrating resilience, strength of spirit, and unity in the fight for freedom, dignity, and a better future.
How did this day originate?
On April 8, 1971, the First World Romani Congress was held in London. It marked the first official adoption of the Romani flag and anthem, as well as the establishment of key directions for the global movement advocating for Roma rights. International Romani Day is not only a day of remembrance but also a call to combat prejudice, uphold human rights, and embrace diversity as a shared value.
The Ukrainian Center for Holocaust Studies researches the history, culture, and genocide of the Roma in Ukraine during the Nazi occupation and World War II. Educational and research materials in Ukrainian are available on our official website:
● Roma: Myths and Facts – Teachers' manual on combating Romaphobia
● The Nazi Genocide of Roma in Ukraine (1941–1944) – Educational materials
● Genocide of Roma in Ukraine during WWII – Conference materials (Kyiv, October 2016)
● Persecution and Murder of Roma in Ukraine during WWII – Collection of documents and memoirs
By learning more about each other, we strengthen unity.
Announcements
MoreLatest News
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Educational seminar-school “History of the Holocaust in Ukraine: Research, Education, Commemoration”
From 13 to 16 August 2025, the Ukrainian Center for Holocaust Studies, in partnership with Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies, held its annual seminar The History of the Holocaust in Ukraine: Research, Education, Memory.
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Invisible. Resilience: The Past and Present of the Roma
On 2 August 2025, International Roma Genocide Remembrance Day, the exhibition Invisible. Resilience: The Past and Present of the Roma opened at the Living Memory Exhibition Centre of the Babyn Yar National Memorial Museum.
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You're walking down the street and suddenly see a name. No Grand Words. But a Story.
This is a stumbling stone — a small concrete cube with a brass plate. Often unnoticed by those rushing past, but deeply eloquent to those who pause. Each stone marks a story. A life. And a memory returning to the city. Since August 2025, the Kyiv project “One Stone — One Life: 80 Stumbling Stones for Kyiv” has continued its work. This autumn will bring new installations, new names, new research, and new teams, which we will begin forming in September. Follow our announcements — it might just be you
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Holocaust Memory: Ukrainian and Polish Experiences Public Lecture at the “Sense” Bookstore in Kyiv
On 28 July, the sixth meeting of the Polish Institute's History Club took place at the Sens bookshop in Kyiv. This time, the topic was the memory of the Holocaust and World War II — particularly relevant at a time when Ukraine is experiencing a new national trauma.
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Open Lecture on the Occasion of the International Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Roma Genocide at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
On July 28, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine hosted a lecture marking the International Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Nazi Genocide of the Roma, organized as part of the “Memory Diplomacy” initiative.
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