16169
INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL OUTREACH PROGRAM 2024
Building on the success of previous years, ERIAC conducts the International Cultural Outreach Program 2024 with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office. Through strengthening the existing digital and physical infrastructures, collaborations and institutional communication, the Outreach 2024 project aims to reinforce ERIAC’s role as a referential source for Roma identity and cultural discourses.
The objective of this year’s program is to consolidate ERIAC’s position as a global leader in Roma arts and cultural advocacy, foster international collaboration, and guarantee the representation of Roma voices in diverse cultural settings. The program consists of six core components: Romani Language Initiative, Barvalipe Roma Online University, ImpACT Lab Discussion at the Cannes Film Festival, Digital Roma Museum Initiative: RomaMoMA, Romáland presentation in Berlin, and Membership.
ROMANI LANGUAGE INITIATIVE
The long-term goal of ERIAC, through this project component, is to become the language and education center for the transnational Romani movement and the community. The initiative’s objectives are to continue its commitment to the preservation, globalization and harmonization of the Romani language and to update the Curriculum Framework for Romani developed by the Language Policy Division of the Council of Europe in 2008 as part of the Council of Europe’s comprehensive approach to Roma and Traveler issues.
Guided by ERIAC Barvalipe Academy Member, Mihaela Zatreanu, this year’s initiative is finalizing the writing of the B1-level Romani language textbook, an essential tool for advancing Romani language education. The project continues building on previous efforts by organizing the 5th edition of the “Safeguarding Our Romani Language” conference, in partnership with the Council of Europe. Held in a hybrid format in Strasbourg and online, the conference brings together high-level political representatives, scholars, activists, and community members to share insights, discuss challenges, and develop strategies for future language preservation. In the long term, the overall project envisions a thriving future for the Romani language with global recognition and preservation.
BARVALIPE ROMA ONLINE UNIVERSITY
Barvalipe Roma Online University is an online educational platform where Roma and non-Roma can access knowledge about the Roma identity(ies), history(ies), and culture(s) through a collection of high-quality lectures delivered by leading Roma scholars on topics ranging from the Roma Holocaust to Roma cultural productions.
Together with the it comprise a complete curriculum of Roma Cultural History that proposes a canon and acts as a reference for Roma cultural history. This year, the focus of this initiative is on producing new masterclasses with high-quality content, covering topics such as Roma history, culture, and political representation. In the long term, these masterclasses will enhance the educational offerings of the platform, making Roma knowledge accessible to a broader audience.
IMPACT LAB DISCUSSION – CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
Following its first time presence in 2023, ERIAC returned to the Cannes Film Festival on the occasion of the International Day of Romani Resistance. Through strengthening its partnership with Marché du Film and Think Film Impact, ERIAC conducted a panel discussion with the aim of highlighting the gap between Roma representation in film and the lived experiences of Roma communities.
In collaboration with Think-Film Impact, ERIAC presented the “Roma (in) Filmmaking” panel discussion on May 16, as a highlight of the Marché du Film at the 77th Cannes Festival. The panel featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including Fatih Abay, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the European Film Academy; Timea Junghaus from the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture; Vera Láckova, Producer, Director, and Founder of Media Voice; Simon Perry, Senior Consultant at ACE Producer; and Dr. Dwayne Menezes, Board Member of Think-Film Impact Production, as moderator of the discussion. Additionally, ERIAC launched a scholarship for an emerging Romani producer to participate in the ImpACT Lab, fostering the next generation of Roma filmmakers. With the support of Marché du Film, the recipient of the scholarship, Alina Șerban participated in a series of workshops that took place in the period of May 7–18, focused on diversity, sustainability, and the film industry’s future. The goal of this initiative is to empower emerging Romani producers by offering them the opportunity to reclaim authorship and craft alternative, authentic representations of Roma communities. By equipping selected talents with the necessary skills to navigate the high-stakes environment of an A-level film festival, the initiative fosters industry connections and challenges the underrepresentation of Roma and other minorities at one of the most influential events in the global film industry.
DIGITAL ROMA MUSEUM INITIATIVE: ROMAMOMA
The RomaMoMA initiative continues to blend digital and physical elements in its mission to promote Roma arts and culture. The long-term goal is to elevate the talent, visibility, and quality of Roma artists and cultural producers. The Digital Roma Museum serves as a platform to envision and discuss the potential forms of a Roma museum of modern and contemporary art. In 2024, RomaMoMA expands its content with new blog posts and a special exhibition conceived for the 80th anniversary of the tragic murder of Roma and Sinti under the Nazi regime. To commemorate August 2, the International Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, ERIAC opened its latest exhibition titled CARGO – of Dust and Ashes, a collective reconstruction of history, through the lenses of the youngest generations of artists of Roma origin. The artists Charly Bechaimont (FR), Anita Horváth (HU), and Lila Loisse (UK), who represent a range of Roma communities from across Europe, embark on a journey to uncover their own personal histories – of their ancestors, and of their broader communities. The RomaMoMA Nomadic Library, integral part of the RomaMoMA initiative, received invitation from Berlin’s Schiller-Bibliothek, as well as from ETH Zürich, where Roma literary and artistic heritage will be on display throughout the second half of 2024.
ROMÁLAND THEATRE PRESENTATION IN BERLIN
ROMÁLAND a theatrical play that explores the contemporary realities of the Greek Roma community is a co-production by Anestis Azas and Prodromos Tsinikoris, presented on the occasion of the International Roma Day at the main stage of the Maxim Gorki Theater in Berlin. ERIAC will host “Romáland” through two screenings in Berlin, extending the reach of this powerful production to international audiences and fostering dialogue around the themes of Roma inclusion and recognition. Additionally, the project aims to establish a robust international collaboration with the Onassis Stegi Foundation and Maxim Gorki Theatre to present “Romáland” to ERIAC membership and a broader audience unable to attend the live performances. Through on-site screenings both at ERIAC and Gorki-R studio, the play will serve as a powerful tool for making audiences acquainted with the realities of the Greek Roma community while fostering cooperation between two cutting-edge theatre institutions.
MEMBERSHIP
ERIAC is a membership-driven organization that brings together individuals and organizations, both Roma and non-Roma, who possess relevant and demonstrated arts and culture expertise and are committed to ERIAC’s values. Associate members are grouped into four thematic sections: Arts and Culture, History and Commemoration, Research and Publication in arts and culture, and Media and Information in arts and culture. Additionally, there is a transversal section dedicated to the Romani language. With this component, in 2024, ERIAC further mobilized its membership, enhancing collaboration and fostering a strong community dedicated to promoting Roma cultural heritage and addressing contemporary challenges.