To mark the 2nd of August, Roma Genocide Memorial Day, Pavee Point in collaboration with County Kildare Leader Partnership, supported a group of five young people take part in the Dikh He Na Bister project in Krakow in Poland. Pavee Point has a long running relationship with DIKH HE NA BISTER (“Look and don’t forget” in Romani). This is a Roma Genocide Remembrance Initiative that each year brings together thousands of young Roma and non-Roma from all over Europe for remembrance, recognition and education on the Roma Genocide.

The young people travelled with facilitator, Rudolf Simonic (Pavee Point Community Worker), and throughout the week, they heard the testimonies of Roma and Sinti survivors, explored the ongoing fight for equality for Roma, and connected with groups from across Europe. As part of the programme, the group visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, where over 4,000 Roma prisoners were killed by the Nazi regime on the night of August 2nd, 1944. They remembered the prisoners, their families and loved ones. It is estimated that 500,000 Roma and Sinti people were killed by the Nazis during the Second World War.

This trip for the young Roma men, and Joris, non-Roma, who came with us to experience Roma history, and everything, was very important- that Roma and non-Roma are sticking together on this. For me personally and as a team when we laid the flowers down together it was an  amazing moment because so many Roma died there for being Roma. Discrimination, racism… It’s happening to this day, for our community – Rudolf Simonic.

This important experience was made possible thanks to the support of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Please view our video to learn more about the initiaitve and hear from the youth group about their learning and experience.