Djanes

Breaking the shackles of stereotypes: Roma soldiers in Ukraine's battle for survival

Breaking the shackles of stereotypes: Roma soldiers in Ukraine's battle for survival

More than a thousand Roma in the Armed Forces of Ukraine are deterring Russian aggression and defending Ukraine. Many of them were killed or injured. They consider themselves Ukrainians, an integral part of Ukraine, despite the existence of anti-Roma stereotypes and violence against them before Russia's full-scale invasion. We bring to your attention the author's materials about the military Roma in Ukraine and the prospects for breaking stereotypes, prepared by Nataliia Tomenko, co-chair of the Ukrainian Roma Advocacy Alliance «AURA» and deputy director of «ARCA», and Yanush Panchenko, co-chair of the Ukrainian Roma Advocacy Alliance «AURA», researcher at the Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The editorial board consists of journalist, editor of «ARCA» Svitlana Malyk, international affairs advisor of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma Stephan Müller.

Позивний «Мадяр»: як родина ромського військового допомагає адаптації до цивільного життя

Позивний «Мадяр»: як родина ромського військового допомагає адаптації до цивільного життя

2022 рік суттєво змінив пріоритет для ромських спільнот України. Багато хто з ромських чоловіків поповнили лави ЗСУ, добровільно ставши на захист Української держави. Велика частина ромських громадських організацій сфокусували свою діяльність на волонтерському напрямі, та вже впродовж трьох років продовжують займатись гуманітарними потребами для найбільш вразливих ромських родин, які мешкають в Україні, а також і для тих, хто вимушено залишив свій дім.

Putin’s war against minorities in Ukraine

Putin’s war against minorities in Ukraine

Feb. 11, 2025

The Russian aggression against Ukraine with the intention to destroy Ukrainian statehood and identity also means that Russia intends to destroy the existence and identity of national minorities and indigenous people too.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Reminiscences and Lessons to be Learnt

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Reminiscences and Lessons to be Learnt

Jan. 27, 2025

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. And the world honors the memory of the victims of Nazism - Jews, Roma, Poles, and Ukrainians - who were exterminated by the Nazi regime on the basis of their nationality. Last year, journalist Daria Vorona visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and shared her memories and the stories of other visitors.

Roma roots in the superheroes’ universe: Is Marvel dismantling stereotypes?

Roma roots in the superheroes’ universe: Is Marvel dismantling stereotypes?

Jan. 20, 2025

The superhero universe is an impressive place. I personally sometimes confuse Marvel characters and those of DC Comics. I do, however, fancy the antagonistic Deadpool and the crazy Harley Quinn. But I still find it to be mission impossible to remember who is who. And this confusion has only exacerbated as I was working on this material, as it has turned out that Marvel has created Roma superheroes. Let us get into detail on this, shall we?

Roma Writers in Literature: Papusza

Roma Writers in Literature: Papusza

If you think that Roma people can only sing, dance, and play musical instruments, you are mistaken. Apart from the folklore tradition, Roma people have also been (and still) are present in the literary process. Many of Romani writers or poets have then become classics and contributed to the canon of Ukrainian and world literature.

A Story of the Hijacking a Russian tank: Reception and Artistic Depiction

A Story of the Hijacking a Russian tank: Reception and Artistic Depiction

Jan. 15, 2025

The story of a Russian tank being hijacked in Ukraine quickly became world news, spreading beyond the country's borders and gaining popularity in Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Moldova. This incident turned into a global media event. This story became the basis for a theatrical production created in 2023 by the Kherson Theater Lab team in partnership with the Romani cultural center Romano Than. The play, which is touring Europe, has already been shown in Berlin and Hermersheim, and on December 15, 2024, it was presented for the first time in Ukraine, in Lviv.

Does AI know more about Roma people than we do? Experimenting with ChatGPT

Does AI know more about Roma people than we do? Experimenting with ChatGPT

Dec. 24, 2024

We have already checked how tolerant GPT is and how it addresses stereotypes, and Artificial Intelligence passed this test with flying colours. But is it indeed so perfect, and should we still expect the ‘rise of the machines’? Yes, we would like to test AI, again. This time, we are going to ask it to find ten interesting facts about people of Roma origin.

Romani and Ukrainian Wedding Traditions: Similarities and Symbolism

Romani and Ukrainian Wedding Traditions: Similarities and Symbolism

Dec. 19, 2024

We continue the topic of Roma weddings. We have already told you that Roma brides cry because of a whirlwind of emotions, just like any other girls who get married. But what about the traditions? What are they like? You won't believe it, but in some places they are very similar to Ukrainian ones.

Between Reality and Romanticism: Mérimée’s description of the Romani world in his Carmen novel

Between Reality and Romanticism: Mérimée’s description of the Romani world in his Carmen novel

Dec. 9, 2024

In various realms of art—be it literature, cinema, music, and/or painting—one can often encounter Romanis. The image of this ethnic group is, more often than not, pretty template-based and stereotypical. What about the Carmen then—a novel featuring a Romani girl as the main protagonist? What dominates here: truth or fiction?