This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about International Romani Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. International Romani Day is celebrated on April 8th.
Among the information you’ll find below: the history of International Romani Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as interesting facts you may want to know about International Romani Day.
📅 What day is International Romani Day 2024?
In 2024, International Romani Day is on Saturday, April 8th. It is the 2nd Saturday in April; in 2024, it is Monday. There are until the next observance. You also can discover all the fun details and facts about April 8, 2023, that you might not be aware of.
International Romani Day is celebrated on April 8 to honor and raise awareness about Romani culture and the challenges faced by Romani people. This special day originated in Serock, Poland in 1990 during the fourth World Romani Congress of the International Romani Union. The Romani are an ethnic group with roots in the Indo-Aryan community and were historically nomadic. Today, the majority of Romani people reside in Europe, with some communities living in the Americas. It is important to note that the terms “Gypsies” or “Gipsies” are considered offensive by the Romani people due to their historical use as racial slurs. While there are still some Romani people who continue to live a nomadic lifestyle, many now use cars and RVs for transportation instead of traditional horses and wagons.
📜 International Romani Day History
Traditional Romani occupations included working as farm laborers, craftsmen in fields like wood and copper, blacksmiths, fortune tellers, singers, and entertainers. Initially, their skills were valued, but over time, governments and the church began to view them as suspicious outsiders and ‘heathens.’
Currently, millions of Romani people live in isolated slums, often lacking basic amenities such as electricity and running water. Access to necessary healthcare is also challenging for them. Additionally, they face constant threats of police harassment, eviction, and physical violence. Romani children often experience segregation in schools and receive a lower quality of education. According to UNICEF, there are an estimated 12 to 15 million Romani people residing in Europe, making them one of the largest ethnic minorities in the region. A significant majority, around 70%, live in Eastern Europe.
✅ International Romani Day Facts
🔖 Widespread language
Approximately two million individuals speak the Romani language, which consists of different dialects.
🔖 Famous Romani theaters
There are four renowned theaters worldwide that are associated with the Romani community: the Romance Theater, the Romen Theater, the Romanothan Theater, and the Phralipe Theater.
🔖 Romani in numbers
The United States is home to approximately one million Romani people, while Brazil has a Romani population of around 800,000.
👍 Why Is International Romani Day Important
Romani people are rarely recognized positively. One way to make things right is to observe International Romani Day.
The Romani culture contains many gems, ranging from their cuisine to their clothing, language, religion, and social norms. This occasion allows us to learn more about features of Romani life.
Romani people have traditionally faced a great deal of prejudice, which continues to this day. This holiday highlights their plight in order to raise awareness. Hopefully, this will lead to a more welcoming society for Romani.
🙂 How To Observe International Romani Day
⚡ Prepare a Romani dish
⚡ Take some Romani lessons
Romani, a language with numerous dialects, offers an interesting learning experience due to its diversity. Why not give it a shot and learn a few basic phrases?
⚡ Read about the Romani people
Traditional Romani cuisine is fiery and spicy but also delicious. Pirogo, sarma, and xaimoko are all delicious options. Yum!
📅 When is International Romani Day?
| YEAR | DATE | DAY |
| 2024 | April 8 | Monday |
| 2025 | April 8 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | April 8 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | April 8 | Thursday |
| 2028 | April 8 | Saturday |
See all 🔗 April holidays, including 🔗 Cultural and other 🔗 Educational holidays.
We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about International Romani Day. So be sure to check back soon.