International Roma Day

2024-04-08

Roma people have lived in Sweden since at least the 16th century, but it took until 2000 for Sweden to recognise the Roma as an official minority. Today, the Roma culture and language (Romani Chib) are protected by Swedish law.

In 2012, the Swedish government launched a long-term strategy that aims to achieve equal opportunities for Roma people by 2032, with particular focus on the principle of non-discrimination.

International Roma Day commemorates the first World Romani Congress held in London on 8 April 1971, a meet that resulted in the common flag and the Romani anthem ‘Gelem, Gelem’.