The Art of Memory: How the Romani Tragedy Resurrects from Oblivion

On the 20th of September, 2024, a round table was held entitled «To Know and to Remember: Recent Studies and Information Products Pertaining to the Romani Genocide during the Second World War». The event was organised by the Ukrainian State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience which has summoned leading historians, educators, and cultural activists. The participants have discussed the issue of preservation of memory about the tragic events of the Romani Genocide and have presented present-day initiatives aimed at popularisation of this page of history.

The programme of the event was comprised of two topical discussion panels. The first panel focused on education projects and the role of mass media in the dissemination of knowledge about the Romani genocide. The second panel focused on cultural initiatives and art projects which help preserve memory about those events among young people. The participants of the round table have stressed how important it is to constantly study these tragic events and include them in the curricula.

The round table discussions have also taken place within the context of commemoration of a horrible tragedy: the mass murders in Babyn Yar where, in the autumn of 1941, tens of thousands of Jews, Romanis, Ukrainians, and other innocent people were murdered. This place has become a symbol of Nazi regime’s horrible crimes against humanity. Honouring the memory of those events is important—not only in order to preserve the historical truth but also to prevent any of such tragedies from happening ever again in the future.

The participants spoke on the matter of restoration of historical memory, on reflection of the tragedy of the Romani people on the pages of school textbooks, and on wide dissemination of knowledge about the Romani genocide in the general population. After all, this ethnicity is an integral part of the Ukrainian society.

ARСA Youth Agency on Roma Culture Advocacy continues its work in the realm of preservation of memory about Romani Genocide as it uses cultural and art events in order to draw attention to this important topic. Because preservation of historical memory about the events of the Second World War helps stress the tragic impact of genocide upon Romani population and its consequences for the present-day Romani community.

The Romani Genocide remains a vaguely known page in history which is often overshadowed by other tragedies. That said, historians opine that 220,00 to 500,000 Romanis have been murdered by the Nazi regime. This horrendous event has so far not been duly addressed by education and cultural projects. Which is the exact reason why ARСA’s initiatives play a key part in the popularisation of this topic among the wider audience.

One of the most important aspects of work in this realm is a project entitled «Their Memory in My Eyes» which allows people to relay the voices of the victims of genocide via literature, cinema, music, and other areas of art—thus bringing Romanis closer to the youth. This is not just notifying people of certain historical facts; this is an emotional link with the past which helps better understand the tragedy and avoid similar events in the future. 

The key element of the agency's activity has become the event entitled «Time to Remember» organised on the occasion of the Day of Commemoration of the Victims of Babyn Yar. This event took place within the Babyn Yar Memorial Centre and has become a powerful symbol indicating that the memory of Romani genocide victims is alive and important. Memory is not just history; it is a way to restore justice and to shape mutual understanding between nations.

Photo (left to right): Viktor Voinalovych, First Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience; Volodymyr Yakovenko, Director of ARKA Youth Agency for Roma Advocacy; Artur Zolotarenko, Chief of Babyn Yar Museum Department of the Babyn Yar National Historical Memorial.

«We must keep talking about these pages of history, so that they never ever happen again. Memory is our responsibility before the future generations. And so, the ARKA Agency develops training programmes for young people that are aimed at broadening one's knowledge about the history of Romanis and the importance of cultural diversity. These programmes not only contribute to the preservation of the memory about the past but also shape the foundation for the future where all the nations will be able to live in peace and harmony. Through art, education, and activism, the Agency continues fulfilling its mission which consists in preservation of the Romani heritage, protection of human rights, and promotion of the values of tolerance in society», – so says Volodymyr Yakovenko, the Executive Director of ARСA who participated in the aforementioned round table.   

Preservation of memory about the Romani Genocide and the tragedy of Babyn Yar is a common cause for all generations. To remember means not only to commemorate the fallen ones but also to reinforce the values of tolerance, humanity, and peace in society.