01/06/2026 Equality and Non-Discrimination
The role of memory, history and culture in combating anti-gypsyism and promoting Roma and Traveller inclusion across Europe was the main focus of an Athens conference today, which brought together historians, cultural figures, Roma representatives, parliamentarians, experts and diplomats.
The conference, co-organised by PACE’s Equality Committee with the Hellenic Parliament and the Greek delegation to PACE, focused on the importance of teaching and commemorating Roma and Traveller history – including the Roma Holocaust – as well as the work of Roma artists and cultural actors in challenging stereotypes, reclaiming the narrative and shaping the future.
“For decades, Roma and Sinti were often portrayed through stereotypes: criminality, marginality, exoticism. Not as individuals with their own voices, histories and humanity. Not as people who belonged to the Europe that was being built,“ said PACE President Petra Bayr, opening the conference.
“Over recent decades, new narratives have emerged. Survivors of the Roma Holocaust, and later their children and grandchildren, began reclaiming their voices. They chose to tell their own stories — to move beyond the gaze of others, beyond a perspective shaped by prejudice and antigypsyism. That is an act of extraordinary courage. And it is our responsibility to listen.”
She added: “Through heritage and culture, our objective is not only to preserve the past. It is to build the future. A future where the stories long kept in the shadows are finally brought into the light.”
Other speakers at the conference included PACE’s General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers Georgios Stamatis and Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty.
