On April 8, the whole world celebrates International Roma Day - a holiday that emphasizes the identity and uniqueness of one of the most numerous ethnic groups in the world.
International Roma Day was established at the IV World Roma Congress, held in Serock (Poland) in 1990. This event became a defining event for Roma from different countries of the world, because for the first time in many centuries, representatives of the Roma nationality recognized themselves as a single non-territorial nation and defined their national symbols - a flag and an anthem, the basis of which was the folk song "Dzhelem, dzhelem".
International Roma Day is not just a calendar date, it marks the unity, resilience and rich culture of a people who have traveled the world for centuries. The Roma are a free people who, without their own historical homeland, have managed to preserve their identity, language and traditions.
The Roma community is the largest ethnic minority in Europe and the largest ethnic community in Ukraine.
International Roma Day falls on difficult times for Ukraine. But despite the brutal war, the Roma community, side by side with the Ukrainian people, is fighting for freedom, civilizational values, and humanity, which the Russian aggressors are trying to destroy. Ukraine is our common home, where every people has the right to a peaceful life, preservation of culture, and identity.