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Video podcasts and educational resources about the genocide of the Roma
Tajsa is a collection of video podcasts and educational resources about the causes and consequences of the WWII Genocide of the Roma, Roma identity building, and the self-empowerment of Roma communities around Europe. This new-media series is produced in 12 European regions as a project run by Radio La Benevolencija Humanitarian Tools Foundation from Amsterdam in cooperation with Terraforming and other partners.
Terraforming developed the project concept, pedagogical aspects, and materials and executed the production of most of the videos with Misko Stanisic as director and interviewer.
Don’t forget to turn on the Closed Captions (English Subtitles)
Tajsa: The Netherlands 1
Settela – Recognition of the Genocide
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF and Radio Patrin
Almost 50 years after the glance of the unknown girl in a white head scarf who fearfully stared out of the wagon was filmed in Westerbork transit camp, a Dutch journalist managed to identify her as Sinti girl Settela Steinbach. This will be a turning point for the Dutch Sinti and Roma communities to finally gain official recognition as victims of Nazi persecution and genocide. There is continuity in the persecution of Sinti and Roma – current exclusion and discrimination are linked to the past. Roma has always been a substantial part of European cultures and societies. What was life like for Sinti and Roma in the Netherlands before World War II? Can collective trauma in the past be used for self-empowering and boosting the new strong group identity today?
Tajsa: The Netherlands 2
Past and Present – Commemoration and Education
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF and Radio Patrin
The Dutch police and administration contributed to the persecution of the Sinti and Roma by collaborating and providing the Nazis with crucial information and registers of the Sinti and Roma. Is it recognized, acknowledged, and known in the Netherlands? What impact did it have on the view of the majority population on Sinti and Roma? Through personal stories and reflections of survivors and their descendants, we learn how the genocide affected the Sinti and Roma communities in the Netherlands. What are the main challenges in addressing the history of persecution of the Roma in education? How we commemorate and what exactly do we remember – combating antiziganism by introducing new perspectives and views from official and state-sponsored ceremonies to independent Roma-run radio programs…
Tajsa: Serbia 1
Resistance – Guns and Guitars
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać/Srđan Fink
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with Branko Djuric & Roma Editorial at Radio Belgrade.
In April 1941, Germany and its allies attacked Yugoslavia and occupied and divided Serbia. Assisted by the local quisling government, the German Military Administration issued an order to register all Jews and Roma in Serbia. During the summer, a major uprising began in Serbia. Germans responded with extreme repressive measures towards civilians: for every German soldier killed in Serbia, a hundred civilians would be executed. Some Roma were forced into hiding. Some were helped by local Serbian villagers who gave the Roma kids other names in order to hide their Roma origin. Many Roma took an active part in the resistance and joined the Partisans, who, together with Serbs, Jews, and others, fought against Germans and their helpers. Yugoslavia became one of only a few European countries largely liberated by its own forces during World War II. How much do we remember today about this united resistance and the contribution of the Roma to the victory against the Nazis?
Tajsa: Serbia 2
Art of Resistance
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać/Srđan Fink
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with Branko Djuric & Roma Editorial at Radio Belgrade.
Guns or guitars? In different historical circumstances and contexts, Roma resisted and fought for their rights in various ways. In 1941, in Serbia, many Roma joined the armed resistance against the German occupation and oppression. After the war, the fight against discrimination had to continue. Through centuries, Roma also used art and creativity as resistance. Music was used to carry and pass historical narratives. Even the Roma anthem, Djelem Djelem, serves to preserve the historical narrative about the genocide of the Roma in World War II, containing lyrics: “I once had a great family, but the Black Legion murdered them.” What is the role of a Roma artist in the contemporary European society? Can Roma rise above local differences and build a European Roma identity as one nation and one people? Is international cooperation of Roma organizations a future way of fighting for a better future for the young Roma in Europe?
Tajsa: Sweden 1
Pseudoscience and the Reality of Discrimination
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with É Romani Glinda from Stockholm.
Even before the times of the State Institute for Racial Biology, until recently, when the Swedish Police was caught creating a secret Roma register, Roma in Sweden were victims of institutional and state-sponsored discrimination and abuse. How does it influence the Roma in Sweden today, and who should be integrating with whom in the 20-year strategy for Roma integration?
Tajsa: Sweden 2
United Colors of the Roma – Diversity of the Roma Identities
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with É Romani Glinda from Stockholm.
Many claim that Sweden is a “little Europe” with the most significant number of different Roma groups and dialects. This diversity brings new opportunities and challenges. United Roma groups benefit from a joint fight for their rights. But does this unity endanger the unique history, culture, and language characteristic of diverse Roma groups? Is it possible to develop a united Roma identity, and how does it work in a country with a long history of discrimination and marginalization of Roma, such as Sweden?
Tajsa: Romania 1
Beyond the River Nistru – Deportation, Starvation and Genocide
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with Cristinela Ionescu & Tumende TV Production from Romania.
Under the fascist dictatorship of Ion Antonescu, in 1941, Romania joined the German-led invasion of the Soviet Union. Antonescu was striving to build an ethnically homogeneous country without minorities. The “solution” was the so-called “unilateral transfer.” More than 25.000 Roma, most of them children and poor people, were deported to the territory of Transnistria at that time under Romanian occupation. At least 11.000 died in Transnistria of hunger, cold, and diseases. In addition to the tremendous loss of lives, those who survived have lost everything – all their possessions and properties. The mental and emotional trauma, feelings of shame and fear, as well as economic consequences, are strongly present even today. Despite all, could Roma unite as a strong nation with its own history, values, and role models?
Tajsa: Romania 2
In the Shadow of Silence – Continuous Destruction of Homes
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with Cristinela Ionescu & Tumende TV Production from Romania.
After surviving deportation to Transnistria by Antonescu’s regime, the Roma survivors lost many lives of their closest family members and most of their possessions and properties. After World War II, they did not receive any restitution or compensation as Roma were not recognized as victims of persecution. During the communist period, the official narrative did not mention the Holocaust or the genocide of the Roma. In the year 2000, a new law was passed recognizing the Roma among victims of World War II persecution. Still, very few could claim their rights for compensation as the bureaucracy is very complicated, and the survivors are facing a lot of ignorance. While World War II victims still can not claim restitution for lost properties, among new generations of Roma, many are facing forced evictions. As a result of corruption, racism, or both, they are being kicked out of their homes where they have been living for generations. Still, 160 years after the abolition of slavery in Romania, Roma are on the margins. Can Roma claim the “title” of the only European minority and, at the same time, keep the traditions but change and “update” to the standards of the society?
Tajsa: Italy 1
Sculpting Dignity – The Meaning of a Memorial
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with L’Associazione Culturale Thèm Romanó, Italy
In the town of Lanciano in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, Roma activists and the local Mayor joined forces in a unique cooperation to build a memorial for Italian Roma victims of Samudaripen. The funds are not provided by the state or the local government but through an international crowdfunding campaign, symbolizing the dignity of Roma worldwide.
Tajsa: Italy 2
Culture is the Way of Seeing Life
Director: Miško Stanišić
Editor: Marko Korać
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with L’Associazione Culturale Thèm Romanó, Italy
Culture means starting to love your own way of being, a precondition for strengthening the sense of identity. Why is it so crucial for the young Roma to know their history, even if it is a cruel and sad history? Can they create a better future for themselves from that history? How can media at the same time, be the cause and consequence of the widespread antigypsyism in Italy? Is Europe without memory doomed to fail?
Tajsa: Ukraine 1
Babi Yar – Holocaust by Bullets
Director: Orhan Galjuš/Miško Stanišić
Editor: Roma Woman Fund Chiricli
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with Roma Woman Fund Chiricli from Ukraine.
The single largest Holocaust massacre in Europe took place in Babi Yar, a ravine near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where German forces and local Ukrainian collaborators killed by bullets around 100.000 people, mostly Jews, but also a large number of Roma, Communists, and Soviet POW. This practice of extermination has come to be designated as the “Holocaust by bullets” or “genocide by mass shooting.”
Tajsa: Ukraine 2
Mass Shootings of the Roma and the Nazi Ideological Concept of Race
Director: Orhan Galjuš/Miško Stanišić
Editor: Roma Woman Fund Chiricli
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with Roma Woman Fund Chiricli from Ukraine.
After Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, the Romani victims of Samudaripen in Ukraine were not deported to extermination camps but instead killed in mass shootings, and their bodies were left where they had been murdered. The executioners went to the victims who were massacred in their villages before the eyes of their neighbors.
Tajsa: Spain 1
La Gran Redada
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with Bernó Strategies from Spain.
Director & Editor: José Heredia
The Spanish Roma population did not suffer the Samudaripen as Spain didn’t participate in World War II. But, another historical event, The Great Raid in 1749, known as Gran Redada de Gitanos, left a lasting impact on the Roma communities of Spain. Persecution of the Roma, as well as Roma’s contribution to society, are unknown to the majority as the history of Spanish Roma is not included in general education. In what way is antigypsyism today in Spain linked to the past?
Tajsa: Spain 2
Flamenco – Struggling Against Cultural Appropriation
Production: Radio La Benevolencija RTF in cooperation with Bernó Strategies from Spain.
Director & Editor: José Heredia
The episode explores the origin and the future of Flamenco – a music style developed and cherished by the Spanish Roma. Once, Flamenco was a way of Roma resistance and a career of the historical narrative and the Roma identity. But who “owns” Flamenco today, when Flamenco is a cultural symbol and identity of the entire Andalusia? Where is a thin line between appropriation of the Roma culture and appreciation and recognition of the Roma contribution to the mainstream culture?
REFLECT AND DISCUSS
suggested questions and themes are aimed at further debate, research, and analysis of each of the Tajsa video episode
1. LIFE BEFORE WORLD WAR II
1. What was life like for the Roma in this region before World War II?
2. Were there nomad and/or sedentary communities?
3. What were the main characteristics of the life of the nomad and/or the sedentary Roma in this region before World War II?
4. What were the main occupations of Roma in this region before World War II?
5. What were the main challenges and obstacles for the Roma in this region before World War II?
6. What was the state of education, political, and cultural organization of the Roma before World War II in this region?
7. Were Roma recognized as an ethnic group or seen as a social category in this region at that time?
8. Was it a homogenous community?
9. How were the relations between the state and the Roma communities in this region before World War II?
10. How did the majority population see the Roma communities in this region before World War II?
2. PERSECUTION
1. Was this region affected by World War II? How? Was it occupied by the Axis powers, part of the Axis Powers—a coalition headed by Germany, part of the Allied Powers, or officially neutral?
2. If the region was occupied, who were the occupying forces? What was their policy towards Roma? Were there local collaborators?
3. If it was part of the Axis powers, who had the power in the country? What was their policy towards Roma?
4. What are the main characteristics of the persecution of Roma in this region during World War II? Who organized and executed it?
5. What were the arguments for and the ideology behind the persecution of Roma?
6. What part of the Roma population was targeted?
7. Explore if there were different ways and stages of persecution of Roma in this region.
8. What are the main consequences of the persecution of Roma in this region during World War II?
3. RESISTANCE
Roma resistance against German occupation, local collaborators, and/or local fascist regimes took various forms in different regions and different periods, ranging from symbolic acts of protest to armed resistance. Many times, Roma could use only meager resources at their disposal because of the lack of time for self-organization and the lack of the necessary means to resist.
1. Explain in your own words what resistance is.
2. Consider the situation in that region at that time and how the persecution against the Roma was organized and executed. Evaluate the means to resist the Roma had at their disposal at that moment. What were the main obstacles? Name some examples of Roma resistance.
3. Describe various actions of the Roma in that region during that period, which, in your opinion, are forms of resistance.
4. Explore and find out if there are known Roma resistance fighters, heroes, and role models of resistance from that time in that region.
5. Describe various actions of the Roma in that region in other historical periods, including today, which, in your opinion, are forms of resistance against oppression and injustice against Roma.
6. What forms of resistance to oppression and injustice against Roma are available in today’s democratic societies?
4. SURVIVING
1. How did Roma survive the persecution in that region during World War II? Explore and define their main survival strategies.
2. What were the main challenges for the survival of the Roma in that region during World War II?
3. What was the main cause of death of Roma persecuted in that region during World War II?
4. What were the reactions of others towards the suffering of the Roma in that region during World War II?
5. Analyse the survival of the Roma in that region during World War II by defining perpetrators, victims, helpers, and passive bystanders.
6. How did Roma survive assimilation attempts and manage to keep their culture and identity in that region?
7. Are there serious threats to Roma communities in that region today?
5. LASTING IMPRINTS
1. What are the main consequences of the genocide of the Roma in World War II in that region?
2. What are the main consequences of the genocide of the Roma in World War II in Europe in general?
3. Analyse the psychological, cultural, social, and economic impact on survivors and later generations in that region.
4. Analyse the consequences of the genocide on the relation between the majority population and the Roma in that region. How does it impact mutual trust and understanding between communities?
5. How does the majority population’s attitude towards the genocide of the Roma impact the generations of survivors and later generations in that region?
6. How did the genocide affect Roma’s attitudes toward their identity?
7. Analyse the continuity in depriving the Roma of opportunities to develop and escape poverty until today.
8. What are the main psychological, cultural, social, and economic consequences of living in poverty for generations?
6. RECOGNITION
1. How well known is the destiny of the Roma during World War II in that region and wider in Europe?
2. Investigate what was the status of recognition of the genocide of the Roma in the post-war period in that region. How is the situation today?
3. What are the main consequences of a lack of knowledge about the genocide of the Roma in that region and in Europe?
4. What is the relation between the lack of recognition of the genocide of the Roma and current racism and discrimination of the Roma in that region, and broader in Europe?
5. How does the lack of recognition of the genocide of the Roma impact their trust and confidence towards the state and the majority population in that region?
6. Why is the recognition of the genocide so important? Why is it essential for Roma? Why is it important for the majority population?
7. Why is the international recognition of the genocide of the Roma so important? Why is it important for local Roma communities in that region?
7. REMEMBRANCE
1. What is commemoration? In your opinion, what is the primary purpose of commemoration?
2. When it comes to the genocide of the Roma, in your opinion, try to formulate what exactly should be commemorated.
3. Who is supposed to participate in the commemoration of the genocide of the Roma? Just the victims, or should it include perpetrators and bystanders? Why?
4. In your opinion, is the genocide of the Roma a local, national, or international and European event? How should this reflect on commemoration?
5. What is the main importance and value of oral testimonies by survivors?
6. Think and share your ideas about how we could give more space to survivors and their testimonies in education and commemoration of the genocide of the Roma.
7. Why is the recognition of the genocide so important? Why is it important for the Roma communities? Why is it essential for the majority population?
8. What is the role of commemoration in raising awareness about and recognition of the genocide of the Roma?
9. In your opinion, what is the main obstacle to more organized commemoration of the Roma victims, with broader participation of the Roma communities and the majority population?
10. Explore the state of knowledge about different historical experiences of various Roma communities around Europe among Roma communities today. Explain how shared commemorative events and official memorial days could contribute to more knowledge and a better understanding of the different historical experiences of various Roma communities around Europe among Roma communities today.
8. KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
1. What is the importance of knowledge and understanding of the genocide of the Roma and the history of Roma persecution for Roma’s self-esteem? Why?
2. Why is it important to work internationally on awareness raising and education about the history of the genocide of the Roma?
3. Analyse the impact of lack of knowledge about the genocide of the Roma among the majority population and its reflection on discrimination and exclusion of the Roma today.
4. How would you explain the poor knowledge about the genocide of the Roma among the general public and even among educators?
5. How would you explain the poor knowledge about the genocide of the Roma among Roma communities?
6. In your opinion, who has the task and responsibility of raising awareness about the genocide of the Roma among the general population and its inclusion in education? Explain.
7. What is the role of the Roma communities today in spreading knowledge and awareness about the genocide committed against them during World War II?
8. Analyse the potential impact of better knowledge and understanding of the genocide of the Roma among Roma communities around Europe today.
9. CONTINUITY OF DISCRIMINATION
1. What are the main characteristics of the discrimination of the Roma today in that region and in Europe in general?
2. Explain in what way are Roma discriminated. In your opinion, why are Roma discriminated against?
3. Explore the relation between the social position of Roma communities in that region today and the history of their exclusion, discrimination, and persecution.
4. Why do many talk about the “continuity” in discrimination? Explore that continuity. When did it start? Who were the discriminators then and now?
5. Are there examples of violence against Roma communities in that region today? Who is behind such incidents? Analyze if there is a historical continuity or similarities with past periods of violence against the Roma communities.
6. In your opinion, what are the main challenges in solving discrimination and exclusion of the Roma in that region and in Europe in general? How can we break this continuity?
10. CHALLENGES TODAY
1. Name positive achievements and problems that still need solving, which you could identify by watching the video from that region.
2. Analyze the situation of the Roma communities in that region in the fields of: Housing, Employment, Health, Education;
3. In your opinion, what are the main challenges for the Roma communities in that region today?
4. What is antiziganism?
5. How are negative attitudes and prejudices against Roma expressed in that region today?
6. How are negative attitudes and prejudices against Roma from that region expressed around
Europe today, and how does it impact the relationship between the Roma and the majority population in that region?
7. In your opinion, what would be the best ways of addressing negative attitudes and prejudices against Roma in that region and in Europe today?
11. SHARED HISTORY AND ROMA IDENTITY
1. Identify historical experiences specific to the Roma in that region and those similar and/or shared with other Roma communities around Europe.
2. Evaluate the impact of lack of knowledge about the genocide of the Roma among the Roma in that region and in other Roma communities around Europe.
3. What are the main obstacles in spreading knowledge and awareness about the genocide of the Roma in World War II?
4. What would boost the spreading of this knowledge and awareness among Roma communities? Propose three ideas.
5. Analyze the potential impact of better knowledge and understanding of the genocide of the Roma among Roma communities around Europe.
12. ROMA VOICES
1. In your opinion, how could Roma reinforce their dignity and self-esteem?
2. In your opinion, could better knowledge about the historical experiences of various Roma communities around Europe contribute to the empowerment of local Roma communities? How?
3. Why is it important that the Roma voice their own opinions and ideas and represent their own interest at the highest levels?
4. What are the preconditions for Roma to create a better organized and successful civil and political movement?
5. Investigate the current situation of political organization and representation of the Roma in that region.
6. In your opinion, what role does the Roma-run media play in voicing opinions and ideas of the Roma communities?
7. Investigate representation of the Roma in the mainstream media. How many Roma are part of the
mainstream media (program hosts, journalists, etc)? Is reporting about the Roma influenced by stereotypes and prejudice? Does that kind of reporting contribute to the spreading of more stereotypes and prejudices? In your opinion, what could be done to improve this situation?
8. Analyse how Roma are depicted in media in that region.
9. Explore if there are differences in the way Roma are depicted in the official newspapers and traditional media (such as TV and radio), and social media. Explain.
10. In your opinion, what is the correlation between the stereotypical depiction of the Roma in the media and their continuous discrimination and exclusion?
IDEAS FOR ACTION
WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW?
● Propose two ideas for actions/projects that would contribute to solving some of the problems and challenges presented in the video.
● What are the most imminent and problematic obstacles to realizing your action/project ideas? How could that be solved?