Roma Resistance Day | Why Europe’s Curricula Must Embrace Roma History
May 16 – In the heart of Europe’s historical narrative lie stories of resilience, resistance, and profound cultural contribution, often relegated to the periphery. The anniversary of Roma Resistance Day serves as a stark reminder of one such pivotal moment: the courageous uprising of Roma prisoners in the “Zigeunerfamilienlager” of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1944. Armed with only rudimentary tools, they defied their Nazi oppressors, a testament to the indomitable human spirit against unimaginable brutality.
This act of defiance should be etched into the collective memory of Europe. Yet, for too many, it remains a footnote, a whisper in the grand narrative of the Second World War. This marginalization is not an isolated incident. The rich and complex history of the Roma people, our centuries-long presence in Europe, our vibrant culture, and our enduring struggles against prejudice and discrimination, are often conspicuously absent from national curricula across the continent.
This omission is not merely a historical oversight. It is a disservice to all European citizens. A comprehensive understanding of European history necessitates acknowledging the integral role of the Roma people. Our contributions to music, art, language, and trade have enriched the European culture for centuries. To ignore our story is to present an incomplete and ultimately flawed understanding of our shared past.
”To reconstruct the stories of Roma Resistance and Resilience throughout history, it is important to “imagine that reality”. To bring it to light and show it to the world. Myself I try to do that through literature, imagining scenes and situations, places and characters: women, men, old people and children, with their names, their appearance, the way they were dressed and most of all, what they felt and lived in those moments: perhaps dar ”fear”, dukh ”pain”, holi ”anguish”, but also pakiv ”trust” and zor ”power and courage”. In this way I try to bring back a glimpse of the stories of those people, which were not just stories, but their lives in the flesh and bones” – Alexandru Zamfir, PhD, REF Romania, a Romani language expert and university professor at the Department of Romani Language, University of Bucharest.
Furthermore, the historical and ongoing discrimination faced by Roma communities cannot be fully grasped without a thorough examination of our history. Prejudice is often rooted in ignorance and perpetuated by the absence of accurate representation. By integrating Roma history into national curricula, we equip future generations with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to challenge stereotypes, combat antigypsyism, and foster a more inclusive and equitable society.
“The Roma’s experiences during history are presented in the European history textbook from a dominant perspective, without questioning the “ideology of the master”, which turns the history book into an oppressive tool for Roma students, and reproduces cultural and behavioural racism.
The textbooks do not advance perspectives that replace the rationality of the dominant culture as the only framework for existence, analysis and thinking, nor do they offer students the critical tools necessary to make them aware of the legacy of power relations between Roma and non-Roma in European society. On the contrary, they deepen the gap between Roma and non-Roma and emphasize the superiority of non-Roma, failing to build a sense of belonging for Roma students and to create an inclusive space in which they can feel part of, determining them to feel completely outsiders and stigmatized in the school space” – Luiza Medeleanu, PhD student, REF Romania, inclusive education expert, and assistance professor of the Department of Romani Language, University of Bucharest.
Including Roma history isn’t a matter of creating a new subject. It’s about integrating our experiences into the existing historical narrative. This involves understanding our European migrations, our societal interactions, our times of both flourishing and persecution, our contributions to national development, and our persistent fight for recognition and equality.
“As a Roma history teacher in Romania and the creator of the RomStoria YouTube channel, dedicated to sharing our people’s history within the country, I deeply recognize the crucial need for Roma history to be integrated into mainstream curricula. Including our past in education is essential for reconciliation and fostering true understanding. To achieve this, our active participation in the learning process is indispensable. Incorporating Roma history into mainstream education fosters inclusive learning environments and empowers children through knowledge of their heritage and the broader human story”- Valentin Negoi, PhD, REF Romania, a history teacher for secondary education, and the host of the RomStoria project.
