The 20th of February 2026 marks the 170th anniversary of the Abolition of Roma Slavery in the Romanian Principalities, one of the most silenced chapters of European history: the enslavement of Roma between 1385 and 1856. Despite its magnitude, this history remains largely absent from school curricula, museums, and public memory in Romania and across Europe.
On this occasion, the Roma Education Fund Romania (REF), together with the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) and Amphitheatrrom Cultural Association, officially launch the joint project “Roma Voices”, financially supported by the second Swiss Contribution to Romania, through the Romanian Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, acting as the Programme Operator for the overall Social Inclusion Programme.
A lack of awareness and recognition continues to contribute to stereotypes, discrimination, and social exclusion of the Roma minority. At the same time, the “Roma Voices” project seeks to address this gap by promoting non-discrimination, social education, intercultural dialogue, and the recognition of Roma cultural and historical heritage as essential components of social cohesion and democratic values.
Further to the project launch, a series of events is planned to mark the day, bringing together representatives of the artistic and cultural scene, diplomacy, political leadership as well as civil society, through the lens of Romani culture and across two cultural venues in Bucharest.
February 20 “Roma Voices” Project Launch Programme
DATE: 20.02.2026, 16.45 – 18.00
VENUE: Căminul Artei Gallery, Visual Arts Center, Strada Biserica Enei 16, Sector 1, Bucharest
17.00 – 18.00: From Memory to Empowerment – building social cohesion through the “Roma Voices” project; Project presentation and launch(invitation-based only)
18.00 – 18.30: Vernissage RAPORTORU. No Longer the Stranger from Within (public event, free access)
Eugen Raportoru works through rupture, grounded in the conviction that materiality itself carries history. His installations, often incorporating recycled elements, do not reconstruct the past but rework its traces into new spatial configurations. Bringing together paintings from Samudaripen with newly created works, the exhibition unfolds as an immersive environment of image, space, and sound. Historic trauma is approached as something embedded in matter and song alike, yet the gesture is not one of return, but of projection. These artworks presented as “lieux de mémoire” illuminate a weight that remains largely unseen and continue to shape the lives of Roma, Sinti and Traveller communities across Europe. However, through the artistic gesture, Raportoru creates a present, in which neither he, nor the Roma remain positioned as “Strangers from Within”.
DATE: 20.02.2026, 19.00 – 22.30
VENUE: Main Hall of National Theatre of Bucharest (Sala Ion Caramitru), Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu 2, Bucharest
EVENT: Gala at the National Theater I.L Caragiale and premiere of “Gypsy Queen”
“Gipsy Queen” (2019) is a powerful and inspiring boxing story of a Roma single mother from Romania, directed by Hüseyin Tabak. The main character, Ali – played by Alina Șerban – uses everything to provide for her kids. The film was nominated for and won several awards in best director and best actress categories, including Best Leading Actress for Alina Șerban at the German Screen Actors Award (2020). The film premiere will be followed by country-wide screenings in Romanian cinemas.
Please note, access to the Gala is registration based only. In case you wish to attend and require an invitation, please reach out at eriac (at) eriac (dot) org or register through this link.
