THE HOLOCAUST of Roma, or Poraimos, as it is known among the Roma, should not become a forgotten chapter in Slovakia’s history, government’s proxy for Roma communities Peter Pollák told the SITA newswire as he called on municipalities, NGOs, churches and community centres around Slovakia to remember the Roma victims of Nazism.
August 2 is the official day of the remembrance of Roma victims of the holocaust. On the night of August 2, 1944, around 2,900 Roma and Sinti were killed in the gas chambers of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
“Remembering the pointless liquidation of the Roma does have a sense, for the mutual respect, from the part of both Roma and the majority, as well as for our future cohabitation,” Pollák said as quoted by SITA.
In Slovakia, memorial events to this end will be held on August 1 and 2. On August 1, wreaths will be laid in Dunajská Streda and later a remembrance mass will be held in Bratislava. On August 2, memorial events will take place in Banská Bystrica and in Hanušovce nad Topľou.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
