8 April

The day was officially declared in 1990 in Serock, Poland, the site of the fourth World Romani Congress of theInternational Romani Union (IRU), in honour of the first major international meeting of Romani representatives, 7-12 of April 1971 in Chelsfield near London.

International Roma Day on April 8 is not just about celebrating Roma culture, it also highlights the persecution and discrimination that Roma people face in all areas of life. DW looks at the past and present struggles of the Sinti and Roma.

Watch the video: Traveller Girl (source: teachersmedia.co.uk)

Shannon, 10, Bernadette, 12, and Tommy, 14, are Traveller children. Their lifestyles often conflict with the normalities of school and the world of settled people.