10/12/2024
FSG
12 January 2025 in Spain will be a special date for Roma People and for the organizations that work in the defence of their rights and the promotion of equal opportunities. For this reason, in this edition of ‘Dialogues for Interculturality’ the central theme has been the 600th anniversary of the documented presence of the Roma People in the Iberian Peninsula. This starting signal for a series of actions that will take shape throughout 2025 took place within the framework of International Human Rights Day, December 10.
In a context in which exclusionary discourses that tend to deny or ignore diversity, or exacerbate it by emphasizing difference, are on the rise, these days seek to generate a debate on the value of interculturality, of the recognition of cultural diversity as a factor of development and within the framework of Human Rights. Dialogue and debate are proposed on the basis of a universal language of citizenship, promoting equal rights and favouring intercultural relations based on respect and consideration for different cultures.
In this seventh edition, held once again at the Palau Macaya in Barcelona, representatives of the three organizing entities participated in the inauguration: Jaume Lanaspa, president of the Club of Rome Office in Barcelona; Francesc Ventura, from “la Caixa” Foundation and Sara Giménez, general director of Fundación Secretariado Gitano.
In his speech, Jaume Lanaspa stressed the “importance of knowing and recognizing the contribution that Roma have made throughout these centuries of coexistence” and highlighted the solidarity of Roma as a universal value, which has been an essential part of the construction of the society we know today.
Francesc Ventura, commented on some of the social initiatives of the “la Caixa” Foundation through different programmes (such as the Proinfancia) and spaces and thanked that this seventh edition spoke of the 600th anniversary of the arrival of the Roma People to the Iberian Peninsula.
For her part, Sara Giménez, director of FSG, highlighted the relevance of 12 January 2025 for Fundación Secretariado Gitano, but also for the Roma people themselves. She emphasized the importance of such a milestone being recognized through a state act promoted by the public administration itself and other actions planned by FSG throughout the coming year to commemorate these 600 years. She also spoke of the future challenges that Roma must continue to address in order to achieve equal rights and full citizenship.
This year's opening keynote address was given by Francisco Suárez, stage director, who in his speech entitled “The Invented Truth”, reviewed the shared history of these 600 years between Roma and non-Roma since their arrival in the Iberian Peninsula and questioned the way in which this history had been recorded or documented. He emphasized the persecution that has accompanied the Roma since their arrival and encouraged the new generations of young Roma to delve into the history of their people: “Remember so that it is not forgotten”.
This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Josep Ramoneda, journalist, philosopher and writer, with the participation of Eduardo Manzano, historian, and Pilar Távora, Roma filmmaker. Both discussed how the history of the Roma has been perceived and represented during these six centuries, with special emphasis on some historical events such as the Great Round-Up and its consequences on the Roma people themselves throughout the following centuries.
They addressed issues such as structural poverty, the difficulties in breaking the circles of poverty and exclusion and the historical discrimination against Roma.
To conclude, Ángel Gabilondo, Spanish Ombudsman, intervened with a message that promoted diversity, the richness of interculturality and respect for the Roma people. He emphasized the importance of speaking of “incorporation” and not of "integration" or “assimilation” when speaking of true coexistence between Roma and non-Roma in order to achieve a more egalitarian and cohesive society; “We will only be truly democratic if we embrace diversity”.
The musical finale came from the hand of Lela Soto a young Roma artist accompanied by the guitar of Ruben Martinez.
Full event (in Spanish)
