Ziua Internațională a Romilor – perspective istorice, culturale și simbolice
International Roma Day. Historical, cultural and symbolic perspectives

Summary/Abstract: This study aims to illustrate the meaning and how the first World Congress of Roma held in London on April 8 the year 1971 and the subsequently congresses started in the same context at European level, on the organization of Roma communities and representation regarding the way of life and the culture promoted. Based on an extensive research of studies and works published on the topic - International Roma Day, at the same time, considering the personal position of both applicant and partner in various activities or events started under the logo of April 8, International Roma Day, the purpose of the material is to expose a series of aspects that illustrate the Roma ethnicity and how it is perceived today in general (disorganized ethnicity, without cultural principles and values, minority from a political, economic and social point of view). The capitalization of the representative and significant cultural specificity of the Roma ethnicity will most likely generate results in terms of reducing unfounded perceptions about the Roma tradition and at the same time combating prejudices against about this ethnic minority. Starting from the premise that, from a historical and conceptual point of view, the Roma people did not define themselves as identity anymore, for a long time the monopoly on the definition of Roma and their representative culture belonged to the majority. the role, importance and usefulness of events started under the auspices of the International Roma Day, events that in the last 10 years have contributed to increasing the percentage of ethnic identity among Roma, knowledge of the specific cultural and traditional values of this ethnicity not in a superficial based on realities. The formal and informal leaders of the Roma communities both as representatives of Roma non-governmental organizations and as experts on Roma issues at the level of public institutions were and still seem to be the main promoters of commemorative measures/ celebration of Roma Day. The initiatives set up and started by them do not necessarily reflect them, usually having as a justifying basis the desire of the Roma to be heard, known and perceived as individuals and as a group through specific cultural elements, practices and way of life. I do not think it would be relevant to display a hierarchical classification of the elements that define the identity and ethnicity of Roma according to how they are found in everyday life, but we can say that International Roma Day is one of the most important standard initiatives in the Roma movement. The first part of the study of the paper will outline a brief introduction on Roma Day specifying the principles that were the basis for the adoption of this day and the measures taken after the start of the first Roma congress. The second part will set out the symbols adopted in the plenary, specifying, however, their relevance in terms of defining ethnic identity. The final part will include a set of considerations regarding the research in question, including an additional case study that will tell the story of one of the most important Roma craftsmen in the country in wicker weaving. The final part will set out a set of considerations regarding the research in question, including a brief presentation of the other five Roma congresses launched after the first congress in which, as a reminder, The International Roma Day was adopted.

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