9 – 11 April, 2015
EPEKA Gallery, Romani kafenava, Maribor

8 April is marked as World Roma Day, celebrated by Roma all over the world. In Maribor, we are once again planning a three-day event where we will celebrate World Roma Day together with the first anniversary of the first Roma restaurant in Slovenia and the EU, which operates according to the principle of social entrepreneurship.

The Romani Association Romano Pralipe and the Association EPEKA, a social enterprise, will organise a celebration like no other. The three-day event will include cultural events, a commemorative event and educational activities.

The World Roma Day programme:
“Memories from the Ashes”
The Roma genocide – part of European history
9 April – 7 May 2015
EPEKA Gallery, Koroška cesta 8, Maribor

Opening of the exhibition on 9 April at 13:00

In 2015, the EPEKA Association, in cooperation with the Romani Information Centre Romano Anglunipe, is organising the first of a series of exhibitions marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, entitled “The Roma Genocide – Part of European History”.

This year, 2015, marks the anniversary of the end of World War II, where Roma were among the biggest victims of the Roma Holocaust (Porajmos). According to some figures, the death toll is estimated at more than half a million Roma victims, which is more than 80% of all European Roma. With the title Part of European History, we wanted to make sure that this year’s anniversary does not forget them, who have often been neglected by experts and politicians and by post-war Europe.

The exhibition at the EPEKA Gallery will feature the original book of Roma victims from the infamous Jesenovac concentration camp, prisoner’s clothing and numerous photographs.
The exhibition will be opened by Janja Rošer, President of the Roma Community Council, Vladimir Rukavina, Director of the National Centre Maribor, and Haris Tahirović, author of the exhibition and President of the Roma Community Association Umbrella-Dežnik.

Press conference:

  • Roma issues in and around Maribor
    10 April 2015 at 10 a.m. Romani kafenava, Gorkega 34, Maribor
    The economic crisis has had a negative impact on the already impoverished Roma population in Maribor. The hardship is increasing and there are many problems among the Roma population, mainly related to economic problems. Unemployment is increasing and there is no sign of improvement. As a result, there is also emigration of Roma, mainly to northern EU countries.

The press conference, organised by the Roma Association Romano Pralipe Maribor, will be attended by:

  1. Mayor of the Municipality of Maribor Dr. Andrej Fištravec
  2. Francka Premzl, Acting Director of the CSD
  3. Ms Mateja Muršak, Employment Office Maribor
  4. Darko Rudaš, President of the Forum of Roma Councillors
  5. Fatmir Bećiri, President of the Roma Association Romano Pralipe Maribor

Central cultural event on the occasion of World Roma Day
10 April 2015 at 12 noon
Romani kafenava, Gorkega 34, Maribor

World Roma Day is a holiday celebrated by Roma all over the world. The Roma Association Romano Pralipe Maribor has prepared a varied and rich cultural and musical programme featuring performances by: the trumpet band Skandal band, the folklore group Romano Pralipe, the folklore group Terne Romane luluđa, the music group Rom Art and pupils from the Maks Durjava Primary School.
You are cordially invited and welcome.
There is no entrance fee!

World Day of Roma Women
11 April at 13:00 2015
Romani kafenava, Gorkega 34, Maribor

Women are the pillars of society. It is no different in the Roma community. In the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations has included ensuring gender equality and empowering women among its eight goals. Thus, for World Roma Day, the Roma Association Romano Pralipe Maribor and the Association EPEKA, so.p. have prepared a special cultural and culinary programme, which is aimed primarily at Roma and non-Roma women.

In addition to socialising, there will be the opportunity to taste excellent Romani cuisine and you will also have the chance to visit a fortune teller or a falajica, who will make predictions from coffee grounds or beans. There will also be a musical programme with dancing.

Entrance to the event is € 10, which includes a celebratory lunch and drinks.
Reservations are required at info@romani-kafenava.si or 040 933 990
You are cordially invited.

The event is made possible by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, the EU programme Europe for Citizens, the Slovenian Youth Office, the Municipality of Maribor, the EU programme Erasmus+, the Narodni dom Maribor, the Roma Association of Slovenia and Romani kafenava.

For more information visit: www.epeka.si and www.romani-kafenava.si, epeka@epeka.si / info@romani-kafenava.si / romanopralipe@siol.net.