Between April 5th and 10th, the concluding gathering of the “Resist, Revolt, Rejoin!” initiative occurred in Bulgaria. Young participants from Romania, Bulgaria, and Germany actively participated in immersive sessions, delving into both individual and collective values spanning personal, national, and European contexts. Their exploration encompassed personal and group identities, with a keen emphasis on the unique diversity and distinctiveness of each community and nation.
A pivotal highlight of the gathering was the launching of the book produced as part of the ongoing “Resist, Revolt, Rejoin!” project, which commenced in September 2023. This compilation features articles penned by young participants from the three involved countries and was meticulously overseen by coordinators Alexandru Zamfir, Steffen Moor, and Asen Karagyozov. The book is organized into four distinct chapters:
Chapter I: Speaking of Resistance
Chapter II: My Resistance Stories
Chapter III: Resistance Stories
Chapter IV: Revolution Calling
“We must reclaim our stories. We, the young Roma of today, must remind the majority that we have a history of survival in the face of oppression over the years. Think of Roma Resistance Day. We celebrate it every year on May 16, in memory of the 600 Roma prisoners in Auschwitz who united and rose against the Nazi guards. In other words, we must oppose the dominant narrative that provides a false account. We must stand up for ourselves and tell our truth – our stories of resistance and revolt.” – quote from the book Resist, Revolt, Rejoin!
Following the book presentation, a series of workshops delved into the prospects for young individuals. These workshops explored various themes, including the Indian origins of the Roma community, the manner in which Roma history is taught across European schools, the necessity for educational centers within Roma communities, the standardization of the Romani language, and even the potential establishment of a university specifically for the Roma population.
“On April 8th, the youth organized a conference where they discussed these topics. In the following days, they debated them in detail, and on the last day, they voted on which are the most important and urgent, how they should be prioritized, and how they could take part in shaping a concrete program or project, with steps to follow, predefined meetings, partners, resources involved, materials, human and financial resources,” mentioned Alexandru Zamfir, the project coordinator from REF Romania, who also delivered a presentation on the history of the International Roma Day during the conference.
Over the course of six days, workshop participants had the chance to venture into the vicinity near Plovdiv, specifically the areas of Bacikovo and Asen’s Fortress. These locales offered an authentic glimpse into the local history and context.
“Our journey to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, left an indelible mark on us. It underscored the immense value of cultural exchange and effective communication. Despite hailing from three distinct countries—Romania, Bulgaria, and Germany—we transcended language barriers to collaborate, forge friendships, and collectively learn and grow. Our delightful excursion to Bacikovo included visits to a serene monastery, invigorating hikes, the discovery of a picturesque waterfall, and exploration of Asen’s Fortress. Beyond mere enjoyment, our time in Bulgaria was profoundly educational, strengthening our bonds, imparting valuable skills, and contributing to the betterment of our Roma community.”– Claudia Gheorghe, a student from the team representing Romania in the project.
The “Resist, Revolt, Rejoin!” project is funded by the local administration of Dortmund, Germany, and implemented by the organizations GrünBau gGmbH from Germany, Youth Club Stolipinovo from Bulgaria, and #REFRomania.
