Language

For more than a thousand years, the Romani language has travelled with our people, from north-western India across Europe and beyond. Despite centuries of slavery, persecution, forced assimilation, language bans and the genocide of the Roma during the Second World War, it has survived through the resilience of Roma families and communities, who have passed...

  The Romani language remains a cornerstone of Roma identity, cultural heritage and community belonging. As efforts to preserve and develop the language continue to grow, new opportunities are emerging to strengthen its transmission, accessibility and everyday use through collaboration, innovation and digital technologies.   On 5 November 2026, the European Roma Institute for Arts...

Romani PEN has been formally admitted to PEN International, establishing a new transnational platform for Romani writers, literature, language and freedom of expression. At the 92nd PEN International Congress, held under the theme “Writers at Risk in the Age of AI and Global Disorder,” the Assembly of Delegates overwhelmingly endorsed Romani PEN’s admission, with 96.3% of...

“It is not in the substance, but in the way of seeing” – a reflection by Hungarian Roma writer Tamás Jónás opens a fundamental question about contemporary Romani literature: what does it mean to write as a Roma author when Roma identity is not necessarily the subject of the work? In his proposal for this...

  In the frame of the ERIACNET4EU project, financed by the European Commission, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is excited to announce a new series of capacity-building trainings taking place during September 2026. These workshops and seminars are designed to provide valuable skills, encourage collaboration, and support the preservation and promotion...

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is pleased to announce that Janush Panchenko has been appointed as the new Thematic Section Coordinator for Romani Language. Thematic Section Coordinators play a vital role in supporting ERIAC’s mission and strengthening engagement across our membership community. They foster dialogue and cooperation among members, encourage active participation within their...

This September, Mashkari Amende (Among Us) celebrates 30 years of the Municipality of Šuto Orizari, known to its residents as Šutka, and the Roma cultural identity that brings its community together. From 11 to 12 September, the music and community festival invites us into the cultural heartbeat of Šuto Orizari in Skopje to exchange, create,...

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is pleased to announce the winners of the Romani Gili Contest 2026, a social media-based initiative dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and promoting Roma musical heritage. The Romani Gili Contest attracted an inspiring range of voices, interpretations, and musical expressions, reflecting the richness and vitality of Roma...

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is pleased to introduce the jury of the 2026 Romani Gili Contest, a distinguished group of artists, scholars, and cultural leaders whose work reflects the diversity, creativity, and contemporary evolution of Roma musical heritage.   The Romani Gili Contest is a social media–based cultural initiative dedicated...

As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes how people access information, communicate, and learn, the question of which languages are represented in these systems becomes even more important. For Romani, spoken by millions of Roma across Europe, yet still largely absent from digital infrastructures and AI technologies, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity.   To...

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is pleased to announce the 20 finalists shortlisted for the final stage of the Romani Gili Contest 2026. The public voting phase is now officially open and will remain active until 18 June at 10:00 AM CET.   This year’s final results will be determined through...

On 8 June 2026, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) marks nine years since its establishment. This anniversary serve as a moment to reflect on the Institute’s achievements and impact,  the evolving context in which it operates, and present the strategic priorities that will guide its continued contribution to cultural inclusion, democratic...

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) and the DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program jointly announce the second edition of the ERIAC–DAAD Residency Programme for Arts and Media. The first edition of the programme, launched in 2025, focused on the field of visual arts. Following an international open call, the jury selected artist and photographer Anita Horváth (Hungary), who undertook a one-month...

With the long-term goal of strengthening an open, rights-based, democratic, equal, and inclusive society in the EU through culture and cultural diplomacy, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) invites applications from its EU-based member organisations.   The call supports initiatives that challenge negative narratives about Roma in Europe and boost self-esteem within...

Public Announcement: ERIAC Executive Leadership Transition Berlin, 5 January 2026   The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is completing a planned transition in its executive leadership, following a period of institutional renewal and strategic development.   Over the past year, ERIAC has undertaken significant governance renewal, including the reconstitution of its governing...

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is pleased to announce the selection of the Thematic Section Coordinators for the year 2026. Following an internal call open to ERIAC members, five professionals have been selected to take on this important role, each representing one of ERIAC’s core thematic sections:   Arts and Culture...

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) invites applications for the position of Thematic Section Coordinators for 2026. This internal call is open exclusively to ERIAC members who wish to take an active role in supporting the work of the Institute and its membership community.   ERIAC is seeking five professionals – one...

ERIAC is proud to announce the upcoming Barvalipe Academy Election 2024. This election offers a unique opportunity to shape the strategic vision of ERIAC by electing eight new members to the Barvalipe Academy, a distinguished body of thought leaders and advisors. The Barvalipe Academy plays a crucial role in guiding ERIAC’s mission to promote the...