Day of Remembrance

The fate of persecuted Roma takes center stage

Roma representatives, LR Schneemann, Mayor Zimara, NR Berlakovich and Labg. Petrik at the unveiling of the monument(Bild: LMS/Daniel Fenz)

On April 8, a ceremony will be held in the Parliament in Vienna to mark International Roma Day. Two new memorials to forgotten Roma victims of National Socialism were unveiled on Saturday in Loipersdorf and Kitzladen. 

International Roma Day has been held on April 8 every year since 1990. This date is intended to remind people that the ethnic group was denied access to social life for a long time. A commemorative event entitled "ROMNJAKraft.Sor Remembrance - Change - Awakening" is being held today at the Parliament in Vienna. The focus will be on the role of women. The second focus of the event will be on the genocide of the Roma and Sinti. Robert Hergovich, President of the Provincial Parliament, will also take part. "What has always characterized Burgenland is its special cultural and linguistic diversity. And the Burgenland Roma are an integral part of this unique Burgenland identity," said the President of the Provincial Parliament.

Hergovich: Racism and exclusion have no place in society
The recognition of the Roma and Sinti as an autochthonous ethnic group more than 30 years ago represents a "milestone in Austrian minority policy". Many advances and improvements have also been achieved through dedicated work with the ethnic groups and ethnic group policy, particularly in Burgenland, for example in the areas of education, culture and language preservation. "We must continue along this path, as joint efforts are still required to achieve social equality for Romnija and Roma," emphasizes Hergovich.

Temmel calls for a commitment to an inclusive society
Politicians have a great responsibility to ensure that the rights and needs of Roma and Sinti are respected and supported, according to Walter Temmel, 2nd President of the Provincial Parliament. "It is up to all of us to work together to create a society based on respect, tolerance and solidarity. International Roma Day reminds us that we must continue to stand up for the rights and well-being of all members of our society," emphasized Temmel. 

Two new memorials in memory of the Roma murdered during the National Socialist era
A memorial to the forgotten Roma victims of National Socialism was unveiled in Loipersdorf and Kitzladen on Saturday. Before 1938, there were 115 Roma living in Loipersdorf and 48 Roma in Kitzladen who were deported to concentration camps during the Nazi era and never returned. "These two memorial plaques are a reminder of their fate. It is our duty to come to terms with this part of our history. We must remember the fate of the people murdered under National Socialism and must not forget it. The two new memorials are an important contribution to the work of remembrance and commemoration," said Provincial Councillor Leonhard Schneemann at the commemoration ceremony. The new Ethnic Groups House in Oberwart will make an important contribution to the promotion of the ethnic groups. The memorials were erected by the municipality of Loipersdorf/Kitzladen in cooperation with the Roma interest groups and funded by the province of Burgenland.