International Roma Day

This international association of Roma was a sign of a new self-confidence, expressed in its own anthem and flag.

On the occasion of the global day of action, three speakers will examine the Wedding missionary work for Sinti and Roma at the beginning of the 20th century, an exhibition by the Wedding Local History Museum as the first critical study of local history, and the current situation of Sinti and Roma in Berlin.

Employees of the Berlin City Mission, an aid organization of the Protestant Church, founded the so-called Z* Mission in 1910. One focus of their work was a "Z* Home," which was intended to serve as a school for young Sinti and Roma.

• Why was the mission founded in Wedding, and how did those affected react to this form of Christian pastoral care?
  

The Berlin political scientist Thomas Irmer will explore these questions in a lecture.

Sigrid Schulze, head of the Mitte Museum's collections, will recall an exhibition at the Wedding Local History Museum in 1990 as the first critical examination of local historical source material on the history of Sinti and Roma in Berlin.

Afterwards, Sara Paßquali of the Hildegard Lagrenne Foundation will speak about the current situation of Sinti and Roma in Berlin.

The welcoming address will be given by Petra Rosenberg, Chairwoman of the Berlin Association of German Sinti and Roma.

The event is being held in cooperation with the Hildegard Lagrenne Foundation for Education, Inclusion, and Participation of Sinti and Roma in Germany and the Office for Participation and Integration in the Mitte District Office of Berlin.


(IN GERMAN)