The City of Brussels, in collaboration with Arthis, the Belgian-Romanian cultural house, and the Brussels Council for Cultural Diversity, is organising awareness-raising activities at the Place de la Bourse on Saturday, on the occasion of International Roma Day.
Musicians from several European countries will be featured in afternoon and evening concerts.
O’Tcahlaï and the Droga Mleczna choir, the Tzigani group of musicians, accompanied by Bulgarian singer Emilia Kirova, the Taraf Aurel Budisteanu and soloist Romanita, and Taraf de Caliu from Romania, with accordionist Marius Gorea, will perform on stage between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Information and awareness-raising stands on the Roma people and their history will also be set up in the square.
“By organising this day, we want to highlight the Roma people, their history and their culture and thus fight against the discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping this community may face,” says Lydia Mutyebele, alderwoman for Equal Opportunities at the City of Brussels.
On 8 April, the Roma people commemorate the founding of the International Romani Union in London in 1971, where they acquired an anthem and a flag.
Originally from northern India, the Roma migrated to the West from the 11th century onwards. Today, there are between 10 and 12 million Roma living in Europe, of whom six million are spread across the 27 European Union member countries, according to Council of Europe figures.
