Djanes

The world must hear the voices of ethnic groups. Interview with Elmira Kakabayeva

The world must hear the voices of ethnic groups. Interview with Elmira Kakabayeva

Dec. 16, 2023

In Berlin, a workshop titled “How to Decolonize and Preserve Memory” took place. Knowledge and new working methods were shared by journalist, social anthropologist, writer, founder of an online writing course for women, co-founder, and editor of the literary project Qantar.Jazylu, Elmira Kakabayeva. So, can one person influence the processes of decolonization?

Nathan Markman: “Art is the only thing that helps me speak on important matters”

Nathan Markman: “Art is the only thing that helps me speak on important matters”

Ukrainian artist of Romani origin talks on what art is, what are Romanis in art, and how personal identity expresses itself through art. He is of mixed Romani and Jewish origin. Born and living in Kyiv, he speaks Ukrainian and calls himself a Ukrainian artist.

Anastasiia Tambovtseva: I wanted not just to learn a language, but to do something socially useful

Anastasiia Tambovtseva: I wanted not just to learn a language, but to do something socially useful

Anastasiia Tambovtseva is an ethnic Ukrainian who has been running a thematic blog dedicated to the Roma language for several years. Even at the beginning of her journey, she could not have imagined that a casual curiosity would develop into a permanent activity, firmly connecting her with the Roma public movement. Currently, Anastasiia is in Romania and continues to do her work from there. She studies and teaches Roma, creates teaching methods and develops a blog. About the unexpected choice, the reaction of others and plans for the future – find out in Djanes.

Living in the occupation: the story of a Romani activist who lived in the occupied Kakhovka for seve

Living in the occupation: the story of a Romani activist who lived in the occupied Kakhovka for seve

Janusz Panchenko is a researcher of Romani culture and language, a civil activist, an ethnographer, and a historian. He is a Romani by origin. Janusz was born in Kakhovka, in Kherson Province. He was one of those who survived the Russian occupation in his hometown. He saw the Russian military invade the city, smashing people’s doors in, robbing people of their property, breaking, entering, and destroying everything. They also occupied the building of Romano Tkhan Roma Centre in Kakhovka which Janusz and his fellow activists had only founded a year before.

Stories of Romani teachers who have made their dream come true

Stories of Romani teachers who have made their dream come true

Memories of one’s school life bring about bright emotions in many people. That was the period when you met your first friends, when you experienced your first joy about your success and sometimes also your first struggles with your difficulties. When the grade you received defined your life. And many other pivotal moments, too. And all the way, your teachers are by your side. Not only are they teaching you but also directing you and sometimes even reprimanding you. Ahead of the 1st of September, Jianes has decided to share the stories of two pedagogues of Romani origin with its readers.

There are instances whereby Romanis are discriminated, but that doesn't constitute institutionalized

There are instances whereby Romanis are discriminated, but that doesn't constitute institutionalized

Aug. 20, 2023

Yulian Kondur, project co-ordinator of the international charity organisation «Romani women’s fund «Chirikli», recounts about challenges the activists had to encountered after the onset of full-scale war, about his civic activity on the international level and about his own way in activism.

Stories of Romani health care professionals who have managed to make t

Stories of Romani health care professionals who have managed to make t

July 27, 2023

Stereotypes and bias are components of every person’s life. It is mostly stereotypes that give rise to erroneous attitude towards ideas and phenomena, and often also make people come to wrong conclusions about a person or about an entire group. Romanis are a community pending development; a community that is non-homogeneous. Romanis of different professions, though, face stereotypes even today. Journalists of the “Jianes” mass media outlet have talked to Romani health care professionals from different parts of Ukraine and have gathered their stories.