The play of Dijana Pavlovic gives insight into the almost completely unknown Swiss genocide of nomadic Jenish people, through the life of Mariella Mehr. The program that was run by the government until the ‘70ies teared families apart, women were sterilized, children bore compulsory treatment in order to ‘cure’ their nomadic genes – the aim was to raise the members of a community that had been deprived of their human rights as ‘normal’  Swiss citizens. Although the state apologized 30 years ago, the details of the program were made secret for 100 years, the teachers, doctors and organizations – amongst them Pro Juventute Stiftung – have continued their work without interruption. Interview with Dijana Pavlovic >>>

A scene from The Hardest Word, a play by Richard R. O’Neill, in which Jess Smith decides: the Scottish first minister must apologise to Traveller people for the long centuries of discrimination. The play has had a huge impact in Scotland: as a result, in the 21 st century, Scottish Travellers were finally recognized as an ethnic minority, and, although the government did not apologise, the church did so and started several services for Travellers. Thus, in a country where pubs often have signs forbidding Travellers to enter, health services such as cancer screening became accessible for Traveller people. Interview with the author >>>

The Hungarian premier of the play ‘ The Hardest Word’ by the British writer and storyteller took place at Roma Heroes Festival. The story is about a Scottish woman who gets it into her head to force the first minister to apologise for the centuries-long discrimination of Scottish travellers. His other play, ‘ The Management Reserves the Right’ focuses on the everyday practice of Scottish barmen not letting Traveller guests enter the pub. The heroes of his plays, just as Richard himself, turn to other people as equal partners with smiling firmness – no matter whether the other is the first minister or the barman. Richard believes that  –  even in hard times  –  it is indispensable to keep our sense of humour and respect each other: that is how we can get on. Books and writing have outstanding importance in Roma and Gypsy communities: the world will get to know our point of view, our children will find plays or even tales portraying their own culture only if we ...