ZAGREB, November 3, 2018 - The "Kali Sara" association of ethnic Roma in Croatia and the Roma deputy to the Croatian parliament Veljko Kajtazi have organised several events to mark International Romani Language Day, observed on 5 November, and on Saturday a conference on centuries-long migrations of the Roma from India to Europe was organised in Zagreb, whereas the central commemorative event is set for Monday in the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU).

The programme of marking this day includes the exhibition "Rromengo Drom - Thousand Years of Migrations of the Roma" in the Croatian State Archives building.

Every year on the 5th of November, Europe celebrates the International Romani Language Day.

"Spoken throughout the world, Romani is the language of Roma, a language preserved and sent on from generation to generation over the centuries mainly in its oral form. During the first Romani Congress in 1971, Romani was officially recognised as a language in Europe. This led to its inclusion in various international regulations, including Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages," the Council of Europe states on its web site.

"As a result of the consistent efforts of intellectuals, Romani is today included in the teaching curriculum in several European countries. Undeniably, Romani language is a reminder of the common cultural heritage among the diverse Roma communities in Europe."

Thus, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Zagreb offers courses in the Romani language, culture and literature. The first Romani-Croatian and Croatian-Romani dictionary was launched in Croatia in 2008 and that 413-page dictionary was authored by Kajtazi.

The first records of the Roma existence on Croatia's land dated back to 1362 in Dubrovnik, according to information which the head of the Croatian National Minorities' Council, Aleksandar Tolnauer, said at one of the previous celebrations of the International Romani Language Day.

They are one of the 22 ethnic minorities in Croatia.

The read more about the Roma in Croatia, click here.

ZAGREB, August 22, 2018 - The start of construction works on a multi-purpose sports ground on the outskirts of Sisak marks the start of similar projects in Roma communities.

ZAGREB, August 2, 2018 - A memorial ceremony was held Thursday at the Roma cemetery in Uštica, about 100 kilometres southeast of Zagreb, for 16,173 Roma killed in the Jasenovac concentration camp during the Second World War.

ZAGREB, May 24, 2018 - The Međimurje County police said on Wednesday that they did not have information on the sale of Roma child brides in that northern county.

ZAGREB, May 23, 2018 – Živi Zid MP Branimir Bunjac warned at the start of a parliamentary session on Wednesday that Roma girls in the northern Međimurje region were sold as young brides as early as the age of 15 and called on state institutions, ministries and members of parliament to join in a campaign to raise awareness of this problem.

ZAGREB, May 4, 2018 - The findings of a survey on the implementation of the 2013-20 national strategy for Roma inclusion show that 28% of respondents said they were discriminated against over the past year, notably in labour and employment.

ZAGREB, April 6, 2018 - Speaking at a ceremony marking International Roma Day on Friday, Croatian Roma MP Veljko Kajtazi said not enough was being done to create better living conditions for Roma and to implement the government's strategic and operational programmes.

A significant milestone for the Roma minority in Croatia.

MEP Ivan Jakovčić comments on status of the Roma in Croatia.