International Romani Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about The Roman Empire

International Romani Day has its roots in the first significant international meeting of Roma representatives, which was held in Chelsfield, United Kingdom, from April 7 to 12, 1971.

International Romani Day is observed annually on April 8. The annual day commemorates the first significant international gathering of Romani delegates, which took place in April 1971 near London in Chelsfield. This international cultural awareness day honours the culture and history of the Roma, as well as their contributions to art and society. It is also a day to recognise and highlight the various challenges faced by the Romani population, one of Europe’s largest minority groups. Romani people continue to face systemic discrimination, destitution, and social exclusion in modern times. Today, all international and European organisations and institutions recognise International Romani Day.

The background of International Romani Day

International Romani Day has its roots in the first significant international meeting of Roma representatives, which was held in Chelsfield, United Kingdom, from April 7 to 12, 1971. The inaugural World Romani Congress was attended by twenty-three representatives from nine distinct nations. Until 1990, when the fourth World Romani Congress was convened in Serock, Poland, April 8 was not officially recognised as International Day of the Roma. At the 1990 World Romani Congress of the International Romani Union (I.R.U. ), 250 delegates discussed education, public relations, language, and WWII reparations, among other topics.

Originally, the Roma were itinerant court musicians from South Asia, specifically present-day India and Pakistan. The Romani have their own cultural language and genetic makeup, despite the fact that they are travellers who conform to the cultures of their host communities. During the Middle Ages, Roma migrated to Turkey, France, and Spain. Romani culture merged with Iberian, Jewish, Muslim, and Moorish cultures upon their arrival in Spain, giving rise to the Flamenco people. The Roma continue to be one of the most oppressed groups in the world, having been targeted by Nazi Germany and various communist governments in Asia. Early in the nineteenth century, a significant number of Romani migrated to the United States, Brazil, and Canada. There are approximately one million Roma in the United States, 800,000 in Brazil, and 80,000 in Canada.

5 Interesting Facts About the Roman Empire

There are approximately one million Roma in the United States, 2.75 million in Turkey, and up to 12 percent of the population in Hungary, Russia, Slovakia, Serbia, Spain, and France.

The Roma have also been referred to as gypsies, a derogatory term used by Europeans to refer to them because they were erroneously believed to have originated in Egypt.

During the Middle Ages, the Romani were executed in England, Switzerland, and Denmark, and Germany, Italy, and Portugal ordered the expulsion of all Romani.

Roma music has influenced jazz, bolero, flamenco, and even classical composers such as Franz Liszt.

Approximately 80% of Romani in Europe live in abject destitution.