Roma Community Voices: Testimonies of War
About the Collection
This collection documents the experiences of young Roma whose lives were fundamentally changed by the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine. It is an attempt to capture their voices and show a reality filled with the shock of the first days of the invasion, the pain of forced displacement, and the horrors of life under occupation. The stories reveal various forms of resistance: from volunteering and helping others to fighting for one’s own identity and overcoming stereotypes in new, often unfriendly, conditions.
The materials were collected as part of the “Memory Bridges” project, implemented by the NGO “TENET – Center for Social Transformations” with the support of the European Union under the House of Europe program. Five in-depth interviews became the basis not only for the archive but also for the creation of a series of artistic works and a documentary film. You can learn more about the project on the organization’s website (a link to the project page will be here).
The collection includes 5 in-depth oral history interviews with young Roma leaders and activists.
This collection is open. We will continue to gather stories to document the multifaceted impact of the war on the fate of the young generation of Roma.
Connection to the Artistic Project
The collected oral histories became a source of inspiration for the art exhibition “Memory Bridges.” On this archive website, we present the documentary foundation — the testimonies and context — while you can see the artistic reflection on them in the digital version of the exhibition.
Digital exhibition "Memory Bridges"
Watch the documentary film
Methodology
The foundation of the collection is five in-depth, semi-structured oral history interviews. This approach allowed for a deep dive into the personal experience of each hero, capturing their reflections and emotions while adhering to the key research themes. The interviews focused on how the war affected their sense of security, identity, family ties, and plans for the future.
Key Project Components
Testimony Collection
Conducted five in-depth interviews with young Roma about their experiences living under Russian armed aggression.
Art Laboratory
Based on the stories, a series of illustrations was created, which artists transferred onto the palms of participants, turning testimony into an artistic act.
Youth Training
Participants of the laboratory underwent training that prepared them for the role of guides for the future exhibition.
Exhibition and Film Creation
The collected materials (photos, videos, stories) formed the basis of an interactive exhibition and a documentary film.
Team and Partners
We also thank our partners for their support
To the Collection
The collection includes 5 in-depth oral history interviews with young Roma leaders and activists.
