The Holocaust. A word that evokes chills, nausea, sadness, regret and emptiness. And the "Forgotten Holocaust" signifies the devastating fact that the genocide against the Roma and Sinti during the Second World War was left out of the history books until the 20s.
The Roma Holocaust, victims and survivors, but also their life, culture and everyday life different from what is usually imagined, is reminded of the exhibition on the Roma Holocaust "Racial diagnosis: Gypsies - genocide against the Sinti and Roma and the long struggle for recognition", which was opened yesterday opened in Podgorica, in the Art Pavilion of the Association of Fine Artists of Montenegro.
Before the exhibition was officially opened, the audience had the opportunity to see a short but extremely effective performance performed by young members of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Roma Youth Organization "Koračite sa nama - Phiren Amenca", and they were: Jasmina Berisa, Muhamed Ahmetaj, Selma Drini, Sebastijan Bajra, Miljaim Berisa i Mehrema Đukatani. On a par with top actors and artists, they captured the attention of those present, evoking emotions and causing a stir by performing a skit depicting the horrors and voids that were the reality of the Holocaust.
They showed what it's like to witness, watch, let alone be in the role of those who felt on their skin the coldness of the seal and the fear of the ink that defines you as less valuable, undesirable and destined for extermination... Unexpectedly and spontaneously, they felt it yesterday and important dignitaries in the front rows. It doesn't matter. It's sickening.
Hearing the cries of children torn from their mother's embrace, the screams of mothers, the screams of families destroyed and even killed, along with countless tortured, humiliated and killed individuals, is painful. All this is terrible to imagine, the performance was difficult to watch, and while the screams, sighs, tremors and cries of the protagonists broke through the space of the Art Pavilion, all those present moved out of time and space, aware of the committed crimes that leave deep traces and warnings that no more they must never repeat anywhere...
Convincing and fantastic young actors, without a single spoken word, conveyed to the audience the chill, fear and pain they created with brilliant theatrical expression, using only movement, facial expressions, body language and screams as means and tools of action. And then they received a thunderous applause that they deserved.
Historical memory always means responsibility for the living present, said the representative of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma. Rebecca Fish, which also presented an exhibition depicting the history of persecution in the era of National Socialism in three parts.
"The first part introduces the topic and gives brief overviews of history, illuminates and shows the attitude towards the Sinti and Roma deeply rooted in European history, which was marked by prejudice and hostility. The exhibition clearly wants to show that the images of the so-called Gypsies are significantly different from the reality of the Sinti and Roma. The main part of the exhibition documents the history of minority persecution during the German Reich and Nazism, from the isolation and settlement of minority rights to the systematic destruction in the entire area of influence of National Socialism. The exhibition proves through numerous documents that the entire state bureaucracy of the so-called Third Reich was involved in this crime, as well as the state authorities of the countries that were allied with Germany under Hitler, as well as those countries that were occupied by the NS regime. The basic principle of the exhibition concept is to compare terror with the normal life of this people before 1933," said Fish.
"The exhibition wants to give faces to the victims and, at least on a symbolic level, restore the dignity that was forcibly taken from them," she said.
The goal is to one day reach a unified and peaceful Europe that would preserve the perspective for future generations, says Fish. Unfortunately, blood is still being shed in Europe today.
He addressed the audience in front of the German embassy in Montenegro Ralf Reusch who emphasized that the project was supported by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin. He said that he was happy that the exhibition, after Belgrade, Skopje and Pristina, was now also shown in Podgorica.
"During the period of the Nazi dictatorship, Germany bore heavy guilt towards the Sinti and Roma. The Sinti and Roma were first subjected to mistreatment. Then they were gradually ostracized, deprived of their rights and persecuted - eventually they were killed in concentration camps. This did not happen only in Germany, but also in the areas occupied by Germany in Europe. This exhibition recalls the victims of Nazism and brings their fates to life. But it also shows the everyday life of Sinti and Roma today," said Reuš, adding that this exhibition is a platform for remembrance and reflection .
Ambassador of the European Union (EU) in Montenegro Oana Kristina Popa, she greeted those present on behalf of the EU Delegation in Montenegro and thanked the organizers for the invitation, but also for the realization of this unique exhibition, the first of its kind in Montenegro.
"This collection of objects and photographs is, unfortunately, a poignant reminder of the 500 European Roma who perished in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. This staggering figure made up at least a quarter of the total Roma population at the time. What is striking is that the genocide against the Roma, also called the 'forgotten holocaust', was left out of the history books of the Second World War for many years after its end," she reminded.
Minister of Human and Minority Rights in the Government of Montenegro Fatmir Đeka he pointed out the importance of organizing such events.
"There are poignant stories and poignant photographs of people who were victims in concentration camps, and who passed only because someone was a Roma, a Jew or some other nation... This exhibition represents the memory of the Roma victims during the Holocaust, and all in with the goal of never repeating such things again and never again discriminating against any people, regardless of language, nation, culture or something similar," said Đeka.
And that this event is of historical character, said the executive director of the NGO "Walk with us - Phiren Amenca". Elvis Berisha, because it is the first exhibition about the Roma Holocaust in Montenegro after 82 years since the end of the Second World War.
"This is a moment that reminds us of the importance of memory, of the obligation to convey the truth to the world and to face the dark chapters of our past. Remembering the Roma Holocaust is not only a matter of history, but also of deep human empathy and solidarity. Through this exhibition, we invite you to connect more deeply with the fate of the Roma during that time. Today, as we open this exhibition, we pledge not to forget. This exhibition is not only a reminder of the horrors of the last century, but also a call to action. We invite you to join us in the fight against prejudice , discrimination and intolerance. Let's work together to create a world where what happened to the Roma during the Holocaust will not happen to anyone," Beriša said.
Moderator of the event Jovana Damjanović she reminded that the NGO "Phiren Amenca" organized the exhibition in cooperation with the Roma and Sinti Documentation Center and the German Center for Sinti and Roma, and under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, and invited everyone to visit the exhibition until October 27.
The event was realized in cooperation with the Roma and Sinti Documentation Center and the Center for Sinti and Roma, under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany. The exhibition was technically supported by the Montenegrin National Theater.
In the large audience, apart from Minister Đeka, there were no other representatives of the Government of Montenegro, and an enviable number of representatives of NGOs and embassies, a few Montenegrin artists and only a few media representatives were present...
Bonus video:
