ROMA REELS

Roma communities remain among the most discriminated groups in Europe, and antigypsyism is still one of the most widespread forms of racism on the continent. Part of this exclusion comes from how little is known about Roma history. The genocide of the Roma during the Second World War (the Porajmos) and the persecution that followed in the Balkans are largely missing from school curricula and public remembrance. Many young Roma have grown up with little or no knowledge of what their communities went through.

Time matters here. The last survivors are passing away, and their testimonies are at risk of being lost. Meanwhile, historical distortion and denial continue to feed prejudice and hate speech today.

Roma Reels responds by putting young Roma at the centre of remembrance. Roma youth aged 18–30 from Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia will be trained in audiovisual production, ethical storytelling and digital campaigning. They will then use these skills to create short reels (15–60 seconds) based on oral testimonies, archival material and family memories collected from Roma elders and survivors’ descendants. Historians and Roma community representatives will validate every reel before release. The reels will be shared on social media and brought into local communities through dialogue events, exhibitions and online “Roma Talks”.

The project links remembrance with democratic values, intercultural dialogue and civic participation. Roma women, LGBTIQ+ Roma youth and Roma with disabilities will take part and be visible throughout. By bringing EU Member States and Western Balkan partners together, Roma Reels helps build a shared European culture of remembrance in which Roma history is recognised as part of Europe’s common history.