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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Bulletin «Lessons of the Holocaust», № 2 (82), 2025
Dear colleagues! The fresh issue of information-pedagogical bulletin of UCHS «Lessons of the Holocaust», № 2 (82), April-June, 2025 has been published.
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Joint Initiative of the Ministry of Education, UCHS, and the Shoah Memorial
On 26 June 2025, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine hosted a meeting between representatives of the Directorate of School Education and representatives of the Ukrainian Centre for Holocaust Studies and the Shoah Memorial (Paris).
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History of the Holocaust in Ukraine: Research, Education, Commemoration. Educational seminar-school.
The annual Franco-Ukrainian academic seminar, titled History of the Holocaust in Ukraine: Research, Education, Commemoration, has become a tradition.
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History as a Weapon: Soviet Past, russian Narratives, and the War Against Ukraine. – Public Discussion
In the Main Building of the War Museum hosted a public discussion dedicated to the issues of historical memory and russia’s use of history as a tool in its aggressive war against Ukraine.
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Online Course: How to Talk to Students About the Holocaust
On 10 June 2025, the online course “How to Talk about the Holocaust with Students” was launched. This course was developed by the staff of the Ukrainian Center for Holocaust Studies and implemented in cooperation with leading experts on the topic and the online educational platform Open University of Maidan.
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