COMMEMORATING THE FUTURE

[Lukáš Houdek]

On January 26th 2011 both the German Bundestag and the European parliament
observed the 66th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a date that celebrates the
end of the Holocaust or, in Romanes, the Porrajmos, in which an estimated one to two
million Romani perished. This marks the first time the Romani nation has been included
in the ceremonies. At last we commemorate a multi-ethnic genocide that for decades was
forgotten, if not denied.

While the Romani rejoice with this inclusion, there is also reason to fear. Once again we
face a climate in Europe in which genocide may happen. While signs remain obscured
under the context of anti-crime legislation, the violations against basic human rights
point to something more sinister and alarming. Once again there are civilian guards in
the streets, mobs incited by hate-speech in mass-media, arson attacks, shootings and
once again the populist leaders' only answer to the crisis is scapegoating the largest
minority of 12 million Roma.

The reunification of Europe has ended wars on this continent, but it didn't end the
disgrace of "first-class" and "second-class" citizens. As long as fundamental rights of
European citizens are not a common good, they don't really exist.

Far-right groups must be held accountable for the murders of children and adults in
several EU member-states. But who can and should be held accountable for the death of
nearly 100 Roma children in Kosovo, fatal victims of lead-poisoning in officÍally
established camps on the site of closed lead-mines? Who can and should be held
accountable for the illness of children who attended school and sport clubs in Germany
until they were deported to poverty and toxic surroundings?

 

Who can and should be held accountable for the fate of Roma who were deported from
France to the poorest ghettos in Romania and Bulgaria? Who can and should be held
accountable for the humiliation of able children placed in segregated schools for the
mentally challenged? Or for the distress of children forced to live in orphanages or in
plastic shacks, like the four ltalian children that recently burned alive?

The ongoing discrimination of 12 million European citizens is only due in part to far-right
extremists and populist politicians. Until now the results of conferences, summits and
meetings have been only a noisy silence without action, and silence means consent.
Again fear and crises combine to create the beast called Xenophobia and again Europe is
passive. The EU has enough funds and proper legislation, but for reasons of widespread
prejudice and paternalism, also found in the administration, the plan of the inclusion of
Roma has failed.

Although Romani people live in all EU countries, they remain invisible, unrepresented and
therefore voiceless. The fortunate Roma who are well-educated are not in parliaments
and EU institutions. Decisions are made regarding the Roma without consulting the
Roma. Europe does harm to itself and to them by rejecting their social, cultural and
economical contributions. And this is how the Romani, the most omnipresent, most
European nation inside the EU are sidelined.

Meanwhile, the alternative Roma voices in broadcasting and television are silenced as
their means of communication are shut down or threatened with closure. Recent
examples are the only Romanj broadcasting in Germany, hosted by Deutsche Welle,
Radio C in Hungary. and Radio Patrin in the Netherlands.

 

We, the film makers, writers, painters, actors, singers, musicians, photographers, poets
and sculptors, from the Artists' Initiative unite our voices in our art and strongly
condemn apartheid in Europe, that not only affects our Roma neighbours and co-citizens,
but is a serious threat to the whole European House.

 

Coordination Group, Artists' Initiative against Romaphobia and Antitziganism:
https://artists-for-roma-net.ning.com/

[e-mail]

Cristina Barzi, actress, singer and leader of the band Gypsyliana, Italy
Giovanni De Cecco, pianist and composer, Italy
Els de Groen, writer, the Netherlands
Ciuin Ferrin, writer. lecturer, USA
Viola Hinz-Hassan Pour Razavi, artist, BRD
Lukás Houdek, journalist and photographer, Czech Repubtic
Miljaim Kariman, researcher and translator, Macedonia
Marko Knudsen, writer and first chairman of the European Center for Anti-Gypsyism, BRD
Vadim Kolpakov, musician, singer and dancer, Band VIA Romen, USA
Cigana Liz, O Encanto Cigano Band (Mio Vacite), Brazil
Kokolo London, event organiser, DJ, UK
Elena Marushiakova, academic, Studii Romani, Bulgaria
Sami Mustafa, film director, Kosovo
Nadara Gypsy Band, Romania
Ciprian Necula, campaigner KCMC Consulting Management and Coordination, Romania
Nedjo Osman, journalist, actor, theatre director, poet, BRD
Niko Rergo, researcher, teacher, lawyer, writer, Ukraine
Anouk Sluizer, new media, film maker, the Netherlands
Zoran Tairovic, painter, poet, film maker, stage-dlrector, composer, Serbia
Hans Wahler, sculptor, restorer, architect, teacher, philosopher, Greece