State act in the Spanish Parliament in the presence of the King and Queen of Spain [editar]
This 8 April 2025 has had a special institutional relevance due to the celebration of a State Act in the Spanish Parliament presided over by the King and Queen of Spain and with the presence of numerous institutional representatives: the President of the Congress of Deputies, Francina Armengol; the Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz; the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres; the Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Rights and Agenda 2030, Pablo Bustinduy; the Minister for Equality, Ana Redondo; the Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz; the Minister for Youth and Children, Sira Rego; and the Second Vice-President of the State Council of the Roma People, Carmen Santiago. Also present were spokespersons for the different parliamentary groups, secretaries of state, representatives of the State Council of the Roma People and other entities such as Fundación Secretariado Gitano, represented by its first vice-president, Antonio Soto, its director general, Sara Giménez, and its deputy director general, Isidro Rodríguez.
The event, held in the Constitutional Hall, began with the words of the President of the Congress, Francina Armengol, followed by a performance of the hymn Gelem, Gelem by Esperanza Fernández, Pedro María Peña on guitar and Dorantes on piano.
Juan de Dios Ramírez, the first ever Roma MP in the Spanish Parliament and MEP in the Europarliament, Carmen Santiago, 2nd Vice-President of the State Council of the Roma People, and Pablo Bustidundy, Minister for Social Rights, then took the floor.
Finally, Felipe VI took the floor and stressed that "the Roma people have shown unwavering resilience, a continuous capacity to adapt and overcome, making it a sign of identity that is an example for all". "This Year of the Roma, which we are also commemorating, seeks to highlight the value of a shared history and overcome the lack of knowledge that still persists about it. The Roma people have been and continue to be an active part of the construction of our society, leaving a deep mark on our identity. Their contributions in art, culture and language, their spirit of solidarity... all form part of our reality and our common legacy, which we value and are proud of," he said.
Finally, the King and Queen were presented with the symbols of the Roma people, such as their flag and a reproduction of the safe-conduct that proves the presence of the Roma people in Spain since 1425.
River Ceremony and Roma Culture Institute Awards
On 8 April, as usual, two other state-level events were held in Madrid: the Ceremonia del Río (River Ceremony) and the gala award ceremony of the Instituto de Cultura Gitana (Roma Culture Institute).
The first took place in the Jardines Húmedos del Puente de Segovia, in Madrid Río and was attended, among other personalities, by the Secretary of State for Social Rights and President of the State Council of the Roma People, the Minister for Equality and the Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory. The Roma Culture Institute Awards were held in the Auditorium 400 of the Reina Sofia Museum. These awards recognise Roma and non-Roma personalities who have made a significant contribution to the dissemination and enrichment of Roma culture.
Other events linked to 8 April
2025 has seen other institutional and cultural events linked to Roma Day and the commemoration of the 600th anniversary of the documented presence of the Roma people in Spain:
6 April: The Prado Museum and the Fundación Secretariado Gitano commemorated the 600th anniversary of the Roma People in Spain with a flamenco show, a tribute to the work Persecución by "El Lebrijano" and a selection of performances that highlight the richness of Roma culture.
7 April. Reception held at the Moncloa Palace by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, for Roma organisations, including Fundación Secretariado Gitano, represented by its director, Sara Giménez.
7-10 April. Roma Week in Brussels organised by the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions with the financial support of the European Parliament and the European Commission.
