The Abolition of Roma Slavery Day in Romania, a Cultural Celebration and a Call to Action
One hundred and sixty-nine years have passed since the abolition of Roma slavery in the Romanian Principalities, a pivotal moment for both Roma and Romanian history. This anniversary was celebrated on February 20th, 2025, with a significant cultural event held at the National Museum of Romanian Peasant in Bucharest.
The event was organized by Roma Education Fund, the Roma artist Eugen Raportoru, the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, Roma for Democracy, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), and the Roma Foundation for Europe.
We marked the day with the opening of the exhibition “Je suis Mahala” by Eugen Raportoru and a reception. The opening featured insightful speeches from Timea Junghaus, Executive Director of ERIAC, and art critic Dalina Bădescu, who shared their perspectives on the exhibition’s artistic value and profound cultural significance.
“Recognition of the history of Roma slavery has never been more important than today. The political, cultural, and economic exclusion of Roma threatens our societies and endangers the future of generations to come. It is in our common interest to fight against anti-Roma, anti-Semitic, and racist voices, to condemn blatant racism in public spaces using all possible means—through education, through economic measures, and most importantly, by strengthening the identity and pride of vulnerable communities such as the Roma” – Timea Junghaus, ERIAC.
The celebration proceeded with a reception at the museum’s La Mama restaurant. During the event, Ciprian Necula, President of the Roma Education Fund, and Zeljko Jovanovic, President of the Roma Foundation for Europe, emphasized the significance of this historical date, particularly in the current global context.
“It is absolutely important to remember what our people went through during slavery, but also to remember that abolition is possible. Liberation is possible. It is difficult. It is long-lasting, but someone must take it on. Someone must fight for liberation. And in this sense, I believe it is crucial to remember today, when we see what is happening in the world, that the far right and fascism are gaining more and more power in our parliaments, governments, and economies. It is important to remember that liberation is possible, it has happened in history, and it can happen again in the future. But what matters is to recognize that if everyone says, ‘I can’t do this alone, so I give up,’ then everyone gives up—this is not what abolition of slavery shows us,” Zeljko Jovanovic asserted.
The evening wrapped up with an energetic concert by Mahala Rai Banda and a networking session, fostering connections and encouraging ongoing dialogue on the journey toward Roma inclusion and empowerment.
Let us honor the courage of those who fought for liberation by joining together in a commitment to education and unity. Let us amplify Roma voices and stories, working hand in hand to build a future where every member of the Roma community thrives, free from prejudice and the oppression born of ignorance. Let this day be more than a celebration—let it be a call to collective action, a shared journey towards a truly equitable future for all.
An event powered by the Roma Foundation for Europe Network – an alliance of Roma-led organizations that combines the expertise and knowledge of the Roma Education Fund, European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, Roma for Democracy and Roma Foundation for Europe. The Network aims to transform perceptions of Roma, realize their potential, and develop solutions that benefit both Roma communities and the European economy.
