April 8 – International Roma Day symbolizes Roma resistance, dignity, freedom and pride and coincides with the anniversary of the World Roma Congress, which took place in Orpington, London in 1971. This day also represents the glory of the Roma people and the peaceful resistance to preserve the language and integrity of Roma culture as a triumph over the infamous history of slavery, the Holocaust and discrimination.
Symbolic Significance
International Roma Day serves as both a celebration of Roma identity and a political statement about the ongoing struggle for recognition, rights, and cultural preservation. It marks the first major international gathering where Roma representatives from different countries came together to assert their collective identity and rights.
Roma together with their non-Roma friends on International Roma Day organize various festive and advocacy activities in continuous efforts to ensure equal civil rights for all Roma and promote cultural diversity as a common asset of all society.
Cultural Performances
Music, dance, and poetry celebrating Roma heritage and artistic contributions to world culture.
Educational Events
Lectures, workshops, and exhibitions that educate the public about Roma history and contemporary issues.
Advocacy Initiatives
Campaigns and discussions focused on addressing discrimination and promoting Roma rights.
May 6 – Transylvania is the Roma holiday of Saint George. The usual ritual of this day is the preparation of lamb, a pagan practice of sacrifice that is probably also related to the fact that Saint George was the patron saint of shepherds. On this day, groups of young Roma celebrate with songs, dances and various games while holding a cross in their hands.
Traditional Rituals and Games
One of the most characteristic games is the game of balance (or zhamballe) that is played between a man and a woman, standing and spinning at the same time. This game for the Roma means that at least on the day marked by Saint George, man and woman are equal. Around and around are spectators who celebrate and wait their turn in pairs.
Erdelezi: The Circle Dance of Unity
The traditional Roma song is dedicated to the day of Erdelezi (Saint George) and has taken the name of the holiday as its title, which is accompanied by the Roma dance "oro" (in the Roma language "around") which derives from "horah" in Hebrew meaning dance around. The circle dance (horah) played a fundamental role in modern Israeli folk dance, becoming a symbol of the unification of the Jewish people and the rebuilding of the state of Israel.
The beautiful Roma music of Erdelezi is combined with the circle dance "oro" as if to celebrate the unity among the Roma and the arrival of the long-awaited spring for them.
Cultural Connections: The celebration of Saint George's Day (Erdelezi) demonstrates the complex cultural synthesis that characterizes Roma traditions, combining Christian elements with pre-Christian pagan rituals, while also showing linguistic and cultural connections to Hebrew traditions through the "oro" dance derived from "horah."