LET’S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER

Lack of contact reinforces harmful stereotypes. It’s time to end this. It’s time to get to know each other! ‘Let’s connect ’ is a unique social campaign like never before in Poland. By putting seven people from the Roma community in the spotlight, we show what the Roma community really is – diverse, proud of its culture and traditions, and ready for dialogue. We do not talk about Roma people for themselves – it is people of Roma origin who speak out, reclaiming the narrative about themselves.

Individuals who’ve taken part in the ’Let’s connect’ campaign are: Krzysztof Gil – an artist and academic lecturer from Krakow, Lucyna Styrkacz – a saleswoman from Chorzów, Delfin Łakatosz – a filmmaker from Poznań, Rada Sorochymska – a social organization employee from Ukraine, Monika Paloma Adler – an integration assistant from Przemyśl, Dawid Huczko – a helper for the refugee community from Ukraine, and Agata Róża Łakatosz – a poet and dancer from Poznań.

The ’Let’s connect’ campaign was implemented by the Foundation Towards Dialogue.

ABC ABOUT THE ROMA COMMUNITY IN POLAND

How big is the Roma community in Poland?

The number of Roma living in Poland is difficult to estimate. Currently, it is assumed that approximately 80,000 Roma live in Poland, including approximately 50,000 Roma refugees from Ukraine and several hundred Roma from Romania. In Europe, the Roma community is the largest ethnic minority and, according to the European Union data, numbers between 10 and 12 million people, of which 6 million are citizens of Member States.

Where do the Roma come from?

The current state of scientific knowledge allows us to believe that the place of origin of the Roma is India. We owe this information to philological research, which showed that the phonetics of the Romani language proves its connection with Sanskrit. The thesis of Roma ethnogenesis is confirmed by the results of recently conducted genetic research.

What’s the religion of the Roma?

The Roma do not have a common religion – they adhere to the faith of the majority in the country or region where they live. The dominant part of people of Roma origin living in Poland professes Catholicism. The distinguishing feature of the Roma in terms of religion is syncretism, i.e. in the case of Poland, combining the Catholic tradition with the Romani tradition and rituals related to the belief in the world of spirits.

Is there a Romani language?

The Roma have their own language – it’s called Romani. This language is used all over the world and is one of the most important elements of Romani identity. There are many Romani dialects. We also have several of them in Poland. Romani was officially recognized as the language of the Roma minority during the First World Roma Congress in 1971 in Orpington, Greater London. Moreover, in 2018, 16 EU countries recognized Romani as a minority language following the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In 2015, UNESCO announced November 5th as the World Day of the Romani Language. Currently, in many European countries, the Romani language is included in the curricula of secondary schools and universities (but not in Poland).

Do the Roma have a flag and an anthem?

The Roma have a common flag and anthem. The Romani flag consists of blue symbolizing spirituality and sky, green symbolizing earth and a red circle motif symbolizing the Indian chakra, which most likely refers to the Indian origin of the Roma. The song “Gelem, gelem” (pl “We wander, wander”), written by Žarko Jovanović, is considered to be the Romani anthem. Both the Roma flag and anthem were established during the First World Roma Congress in 1971.

Do the Roma have the status of an ethnic or national minority in Poland?

According to the Act on National and Ethnic Minorities and the Regional Language of 2005, the Roma community in Poland has the status of an ethnic minority and is the largest of four such minorities living in Poland.

What Romani groups live in Poland?

Poland is mostly inhabited by four Roma groups, differing in their customs, way of life, place of residence and dialect. These are: 1. Polska Roma, 2. Kalderash, 3. Lovari, 4. Bergitka Roma. Poland is also inhabited by representatives of other groups, including Sinti, Xaladitka Roma, and Sasytka Roma. Additionally, there are Roma people from Romania living in Poland, as well as refugees of Roma origin from Ukraine.

Where in Poland do the Roma live?

People from the Roma community can be found almost everywhere in Poland. Due to the challenges associated with conducting censuses, it is difficult to determine exactly how many people of Roma origin live in a given voivodeship. According to data from the Ministry of Administration and Digitization from 2011, most Roma people live in the Lower Silesian, Lesser Poland, Silesian and Greater Poland voivodeships. After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when approximately 50,000 – 70,000 Ukrainian Roma came to Poland, these proportions may have changed.

What are the professions of the Roma people?

The Roma community is diverse, which is reflected in the professions performed by the Roma people. The fact that in the past many people of Roma origin were engaged in blacksmithing, boilermaking, trade and music-making does not mean that this is also the case in today’s Poland. On the contrary! We can find people from the Roma community both among highly qualified experts and in positions that do not require specialized knowledge. The same as in the case of any other national or ethnic group.

What is Romanipen?

Romanipen is a set of unwritten rules applicable to people from the conservative part of the Roma community. This means that not every Roma person is obliged to comply with it. Romanipen defines patterns of conduct, ethical norms and rules for coexistence within the community. Breaking the Romanipen rules by a Roma person is often associated with sanctions that may even include exclusion from the community.

Is Gypsy (Cygan) a synonym for the word Roma?

NO. The word Gypsy (Cygan) in Polish has a pejorative meaning and is treated as a synonym for a liar, a cheater and a thief. The verb “cyganić” is used as a synonym for lying and cheating. People from the Roma community are called Roma or Romani, and these terms should be used following the decision made during the 1st World Roma Congress. By saying Roma or Romani, instead of Gypsys, you show respect to the Roma community – you oppose stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination. You may meet people who call themselves Gypsys. It’s their decision and it should be respected. This doesn’t mean, however, that you should say that too.

What are the main problems faced by people from the Roma community?

The main problems faced by the Roma community concern areas such as education, housing and employment. In the area of education, the main problem is the maladjustment of the Polish education system to the needs of children and young people from the Roma community, who face, among others, language challenges (for most of them, Polish is a second language). In the area of housing, the problem is ghettoization, i.e. locating people from the Roma community in low-standard housing, outside urban centres or on the city outskirts, which significantly hinders integration and participation in social life. The Roma people also face challenges in the field of employment, where due to prejudice they do not even get a chance to get any job. Moreover, the Roma community experiences daily discrimination not only at the systemic level but also from the majority of society. Exclusion and violence, both verbal and physical, are common experiences of the Roma people

How can I support the Roma people?

Every gesture of support, even the smallest one, matters. Allies of the Roma community should be sensitive to the language they use and, for example, instead of Gypsy, say Roma or Romani. If you want to support the community, you should educate yourself by reading books, watching films and listening to programs about the Roma community. When you see that someone from the Roma community is discriminated against – react, but always according to your capabilities. An ally is also a person who votes consciously in public elections. Support for the Roma community is a vote for a politician who is open and supports diversity.

LET’S CONNECT

KRZYSZTOF

LUCYNA

DELFIN

RADA

PALOMA I DAWID

RÓŻA

FOUNDATION TOWARDS DIALOGUE

The Foundation Towards Dialogue (Polish: Fundacja w Stronę Dialogu), established in 2012, stands as a prominent organization dedicated to serving the Roma community in Poland. We engage in advocacy, offer support, address inequalities, provide education, and empower individuals. Operating at both national and international levels, we manage the Roma Community Centre in Warsaw. Our mission is to cultivate a future Poland that is diverse, open, and multicultural, where the Roma community receives equal treatment alongside others.

SUPPORT US

If you consider our work important and necessary – support us and make a donation

Account number: 27 1240 4155 1111 0010 5338 9744
Transfer title: Donation
Address: Fundacja W Stronę Dialogu
ul. Skrzetuskiego 36a, 02-665 Warsaw, Poland

Homepage

The ’Let’s connect’ campaign was implemented by the Foundation Towards Dialogue.

ABC ABOUT THE ROMA COMMUNITY IN POLAND

LET’S CONNECT

KRZYSZTOF

LUCYNA

DELFIN

RADA

PALOMA I DAWID

RÓŻA

FOUNDATION TOWARDS DIALOGUE

SUPPORT US

If you consider our work important and necessary – support us and make a donation

Account number: 27 1240 4155 1111 0010 5338 9744
Transfer title: Donation
Address: Fundacja W Stronę Dialogu
ul. Skrzetuskiego 36a, 02-665 Warsaw, Poland

www.fundacjawstronedialogu.pl

DOWNLOAD

Krzysztof – poster

Lucyna – poster

Delfin – poster

Rada – poster

Paloma i Dawid – poster

Róża – poster

MEDIA PACK

Press release

Photos

Posters

CONTACT FOR MEDIA

Cecylia Jakubczak
Head of Communications
Foundation Towards Dialogue
mob. 691 667 288
cecylia@fundacjawstronedialogu.pl

Created by:

Supported by:

Copyright (c) 2024 Fundacja W Stronę Dialogu | Designed by: Mateusz Jaskot | Coded by: Ottimo APPS

The ’Let’s connect’ campaign was implemented by the Foundation Towards Dialogue.

ABC ABOUT THE ROMA COMMUNITY IN POLAND

LET’S CONNECT

KRZYSZTOF

LUCYNA

DELFIN

RADA

PALOMA I DAWID

RÓŻA

FOUNDATION TOWARDS DIALOGUE

SUPPORT US

If you consider our work important and necessary – support us and make a donationAccount number: 27 1240 4155 1111 0010 5338 9744Transfer title: DonationAddress: Fundacja W Stronę Dialoguul. Skrzetuskiego 36a, 02-665 Warsaw, Poland

www.fundacjawstronedialogu.pl

DOWNLOAD

Krzysztof – poster

Lucyna – poster

Delfin – poster

Rada – poster

Paloma i Dawid – poster

Róża – poster

MEDIA PACK

Press release

Photos

Posters

CONTACT FOR MEDIA

Cecylia JakubczakHead of CommunicationsFoundation Towards Dialoguemob. 691 667 288cecylia@fundacjawstronedialogu.pl

Created by:

Supported by:

Copyright (c) 2024 Fundacja W Stronę Dialogu | Designed by: Mateusz Jaskot | Coded by: Ottimo APPS

If you consider our work important and necessary – support us and make a donation

Account number: 27 1240 4155 1111 0010 5338 9744
Transfer title: Donation
Address: Fundacja W Stronę Dialogu
ul. Skrzetuskiego 36a, 02-665 Warsaw, Poland

Cecylia Jakubczak
Head of Communications
Foundation Towards Dialogue
mob. 691 667 288
cecylia@fundacjawstronedialogu.pl