Accompanied by music, flowers were cast into a Strasbourg river from the Passerelle de l'Aubépine near the Council of Europe Youth Centre, to honour the identity, resilience, and cultural heritage of Roma people. Addressing the participants - who included 35 Roma young people from 21 countries taking part in this year's Roma Youth Together seminar - the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, said:
"On International Roma Day, and every day, I stand with the Roma and Traveller communities in their quest for recognition of their history, language, identity, and invaluable cultural contributions to Europe's diverse heritage. I support their resilient efforts to stand up against discrimination and break cycles of exclusion. The strength and pride of Roma and Traveller youth, women, and girls are a source of inspiration and hope. The responsibility to provide Roma and Travellers, in all their diversity, with opportunities to thrive and become leaders of change lies with all of us."
The ceremony included the singing of the Romani anthem Gelem Gelem and the participation of Véronique Bertholle, Deputy Mayor for cross-border, European and International Affairs of the City and Eurometropolis of Strasbourg and Francesco Verducci, General Rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance from the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, among others.
Casting flowers in a nearby river is a tradition for International Roma Day, the flowing water symbolising the global nature of the Roma community's shared struggles and solidarity, and the flowers representing hope, renewal, beauty and resilience. Today's ceremony is part of the Council of Europe's Opre Roma! Month: throughout April, more than 30 member states are hosting national awareness-raising events to highlight Roma history, language, and cultural identity.
Check out the dedicated Opre Roma! month webpage, and the activities calendar.
