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Join us on a captivating journey through the International Romani Culture festival, where vibrant traditions and profound connections took center stage.

From the historic cabinet meeting of the International Romani Union that fostered dialogue and empowerment, to the awe-inspiring exhibition "Roma in Latvia" showcasing the rich heritage and contributions of the Romani community, and the enchanting festival concert "by the campfire" that ignited our spirits with soulful melodies, ROMA WORLD 2023 was an unforgettable celebration of Romani culture's beauty and resilience.

We were privileged to witness the power of unity and the strength of cultural exchange, as people from diverse backgrounds came together to honor and embrace the Romani community's profound impact on our shared global tapestry.

Relive the magic and immerse yourself in the captivating sights, sounds, and stories that unfolded at ROMA WORLD 2023.

On December 22, the 5th anniversary International Roma Culture Festival "ROMA WORLD" 2019 took place in the "Grand Guild"

12/22/2019
A Conference of Roma Coordinators took place in Riga

Representatives of AME ROMA and the society participated in the seminar
“Different faces of the expressions of Latvian Roma cultures” 24.05.2019 at the Cinema Museum.

14.04.2019
Participation of AME ROMA in the Roma festival
"GypsyFest 2019" in Lithuania

6/03/2019
Members of the Advisory Council for National Minorities met with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. We talked about education reform, minorities and citizenship issues.

On September 21 and 22, the 4th International Roma Culture festival "ROMA WORLD" 2018 took place at VEF Culture Palace

24/04/2018
In the Riga City Council Ornella Rudeviča's first exhibition"Ornella's Reflection" was opened

After more than 20 years, the Roma Culture Center opens an art exhibition of a new representative of its people - the first solo exhibition of the former member of the "Eurovision" national selection, the future artist Ornella Rudeviča.

Roma Culture Center in cooperation with the International Romani Union (IRU) On October 20, 2017,  held an IRU parliamentary session in the Hotel Islande Conference Center

On October 20, 2017, the session of the International Romani Union (IRU) parlament session took place in the Hotel Islande Conference Center.
This is the first session of the parliamentary session since the 9th IRU Congress in 2015.

Delegates from 30 countries of the world attended the parliamentary session.

On October 19, 2017, the International Roma Holocaust Conference took place in the Hotel Islande Conference Center

Presentations on Roma Holocaust research and work from delegates from represented countries (Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Croatia, Serbia, Finland, France, Kosovo) were presented at the conference.

The main tasks of the Conference:
1) Opportunities to receive compensation for Roma Holocaust victims;
2) Creation of a living archive ( video interviews with witnesses of World War II)

The International Roma Culture Festival
"ROMA WORLD" 2017 took place in Latvia for the third year in a row

On October 19, a musical-poetic performance "Gypsies" based on A.S.Pushkin poem was organized, attracting United States actor Rustem Gaļič and the romani folklore ensemble "Ame Roma"

On October 20, the Splendid Palace Cinema hosted a gala concert. High-level, professional musicians from 6 countries of the world delighted Latvian audiences by attending the festival concerts in person, as well as watching them on Riga TV24.

Each artist represented their country under their own flag, emphasizing the association and identification of the Roma with the country in which they live, and demonstrating the diversity and peculiarities of Roma culture and art in different countries. Roma culture was represented in all its glory and diversity.

Intenational Romani Culture festival
"ROMA WORLD" 2016

In the summer of 2016, from 18 to 21. For the second year in a row, the International Roma Culture Festival “ROMA WORLD 2016” took place in Jūrmala, Dzintari Concert Hall

Normunds Rudevičs: Roma ar not allowed to work in favor of the state

24 May. Netkarīgā Rīta Avīze.
Read (nra.lv) »

9 - 30.06.2016 Latvian Roma Holocaust Exhibition in Prague:

Roma Culture Centre in cooperation with the Latvian Embassy in the Czech Republic and the LU Academic Library.

8. April - International Roma Day:

International Romani Union (IRU) announcement for President of Russian Federation:

 IRU Cabinet meeting 19.03.2016. Riga:

The visit of the Ambassador of the United States of America  to the Roma Art and History Museum and the meeting with the President of IRU:

Ambassador of United States, Mrs. Nancy Bikoff Pettit with President of IRU, Dr. Normunds Rudevičs
The Ambasador of United States of America, Mrs Nancy Bikoff Pettit has visted the Roma Cultural Centre on the 16th of February 2016. After the tour of the Museum the Ambassador attended presentation of the activities and strategic plans of the International Romani Union. The subjects of the meeting included the programme of passports for Roma, the programme of employment – Tabor of the 21st century, the programme of comemmoration of Roma Holocaust, as well as the possibilities of supporting the International Romani Culture Festival - Roma World, planned for 18 – 21 August 2016 in Jurmala and Riga. Collaboration between the Embassy and  IRU were discussed as well.  
Ambassador at the Roma Art and History  Museum.
Talks about collaboration with the US Ambassador in Latvia.

Embassies and representatives of foreign countries in Latvia visit Roma History and Art Museum:

01/25/2016 Norwegian Ambassador Mr. Steinar Egil Hagen with embassy representatives.
01/15/2016 US Embassy representatives.
12/21/2015 Israeli ambassador Ms. Lironne Bar-Sadeh.

IRU President N. Rudevičs visits foreign embassies:

Visit to the Czech Embassy. Ambassador of the Czech Republicbin Latvia Mr. Miroslav Kosek and IRU Prezident Dr. Normunds Rudevičs.
Roma Culture Centre in collaboration with the International Romani Union, in November 2015, launched a cycle of visits to foreign embassies in Latvia, in order to discuss possible cooperation, promote cultural exchange and inform of the Union activities and also to invite representatives of foreign embassies to visit Roma History and Art Museum. Visits were conducted in Polish, Romanian, Czech Republic, Spain, Norway and the Bulgarian Embassies.

EVZ FOUNDATION - Board of Trustees meeting 10. 12. 2015

Dr. Normunds Rudevics with EVZ Director Dr. Michael Janson and co Director Mr. Gunter Saathoff
EVZ Foundation has held its Board of Trustees meeting in Berlin. Dr. Normunds Rudevics has joined the Board as representative of International Romani Union.The Board of Trustees approves the report on the development of the new funding programme "Support for Roma survivors of the genocide" for the next 3 years.

IX International Romani Congress

August 16 at the IX International Romani Congress, held at the Riga City Council, the Latvian leader of the Roma community Normunds Rudevich, was elected president of the International Roma Union.
Article at Focus.lv »
Official IRU site »

Normunds Rudevich: "The people who follow the sun"

17 -18 August 2015 in Jurmala will be held the International Festival of Roma culture, and the day before that Riga will host the Congress of the International Union of Roma. For details, Riga Echo went to the heart of the city, the Dome Square ..
Read »

International Romani Culture Festival 2015

Impossible, unusual, vivid and gorgeous show! A whirlwind of emotions and passions, sensuality and beauty, Exclusive costumes - worldwide famous singers, musicians and dancers from 14 countries gathering at Dzintari Concert hall to give viewers unforgettable experience!
Read »

Council of Europe – Latvians should communicate more with the Roma and learn their history:

Foto: LETA
Latvia as an EU country should start fighting against prejudice, which concerns the Romany (Roma) as a nation, as well as their culture and language. This was proclaimed in Riga by the head of the I-CARE department of the Council of Europe  Michael Guet. "We view anti-Romanism as a distinct form of racism and discrimination ", — he explained...   Read the Full article on Delfu.ru »

Photo report "International Romani Day" 08.04.2015:

Photoreport from the "Roma Holocaust in Latvia" exhibition 25.03.2015 - 20.04.2015:

Photos can be viewed here »
Also, information provided during the exhibition can be downloaded for viewing here (ZIP) »
Article on baltnews.lv »

Exhibition "Roma Holocaust in Latvia":

25th of March 2015:
Opening of the first "Roma Holocaust in Latvia" exhibition in the Academic Library of the University of Latvia in Riga.

Qualification contest for "Eurovision" 2015 in Latvia:

The "Gypsy Baron" travels across Latvia:

The International Music show  "Gipsy Baron", which unites Romani music performers of six countries, travels across Latvia. 
Read (LV) »

LATVIAN NEWS: "The gypsy camp goes to heaven"

More than 140 nationalities inhabit Latvia. Among them are the Roma, who came to this territory 500 hundred years ago. Among the Latvian Romani there are names known all over the world. Alexander Belugin — a poliglot who knew 50 (!) languages, a poet and one of the creator’s of the first Roma – Latvian – English dictionary; the first Romani painter in the world and the author of the first Romani alphabet Karlis RUDEVICH; priest Janis LEJMANIS, who was the first to translate the New Testament by John into Romani …   Read »

Interview with N. Rudevich about "Roma commune of the XXI century ":  
The project implies the existance of a village of 350 - 500 people...
Read »  

Roma Culture Centre:

More information about the museum can be found here, and also in our videography.

Order your passport today!

International Roma Union Passport Department offers the possibility to receive your own identification passport, which not only confirms its owner’s affiliation to Romani nationality, but also strengthens the Romani nation in unity. 
More »

The importance behind passports...
A short advertisement on Romani passports.

Exhibition of paintings by K. Rudevich:

Exhibition of paintings by K. Rudevich is available for visitors of the  Romu Kultūras un mākslas muzeja. 
You can view some of the paintings here on our website..

You can also read the biography of famous Romani painter and writer K. Rudevich:  
Read »   

19th of January 2015:

Grand opening of the «SAMUDARIPE ROMENGO» at the Roma Culture Centre. The exhibition commemorates victims of the ромского холокоста второй мировой войны.
Other News »
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