Human rights is an issue that has been sneaking into our society so gradually that we tend to think that the days of persecution and prejudice are a thing of the past. People in our society who stereotype or speak ill of an ethnic group are viewed with distaste and suspicion. We have become a much more accepting, tolerant society.
And yet there is one ethnic group – people who are to be found all over the world and who we most likely pass in the street on a regular basis – who are still subjected to discrimination. They are the Roma people.
On June 2nd, 2019, Pope Francic publically apologised to the Roma people on behalf of all Catholics asking for forgiveness for “all those times in history when we have discriminated, mistreated or looked askance at you”.
People today tend to forget that the atrocities suffered during the Nazi regime affected not only the Jewish people. Roma – gypsies – were also a target. It’s thought that hundreds of thousands of Roma were exterminated in death camps.
After hundreds of years of persecution, the Roma are at last regaining their place in society and one symbol of this is the Museum of Roma Culture in Brno in the Czech Republic.
The museum was established in 1991 and has a strong strategy in place which is to portray the Roma people today, and in history, accurately.
It also houses a research centre for those who want to study and learn more about the history and culture of the Romany people throughout their long-ago migration from India and their dispersion throughout the world. Regular events are held and the museum aims to keep the Romany culture alive. For example, classes are held for all people to learn the Romany language.
WHERE IS THE MUSEUM?
The Museum of Roma Culture
Bratislavská 246/67,
602 00 Brno-střed-Zábrdovice,
Czechia
ARTICLE BY:
Jackie
JJ is originally from the UK and has lived in South Florida since 1994. She is the founder and editor of JAQUO Magazine. You can connect with her using the social media icons below.