The Roman Museum of Culture, together with its dedicated workplace, the Roma and Sinti Centers in Prague, in cooperation with the National Museum, opens a traveling exhibition at the National Monument in Vítkov on the occasion of International Day of the Roman Holocaust Genocide of Rome during II. world War. The exhibition will be on display until December 15 this year. The opening is open to the public and will take place on August 2 from 17.00 at the National Memorial in Vítkov.

The exhibition focuses on the topics of the Nazi persecution and the annihilation of Rome, particularly in the area of ​​the present-day Czech Republic. As such, it is a reminder of the tragic period in history when almost 90% of the population of our pre-war Rome was killed. This exhibition offers visitors the chance to find out more about this perhaps somewhat overlooked chapter of history.

“The National Museum and the Roman Museum of Culture have traditionally worked together and joined forces in presenting our history, including its tragic moments. The National Memorial in Vítkovo is a place where we not only remember our traditions of modern statehood, but also a place where we honor all the victims of the Nazi occupation during World War II. The genocide exhibition “Rome during the II. world war” is a reminder of Rome’s suffering that should not be forgotten,” said the director general of the National Museum, Michal Lukeš.

“The Rome and Sinti Holocaust memorials at the National Memorial in Vítkov have great symbolism for us. The memorial in Vítkov is a place where major events in Czech history are commemorated. We see it as the right place to remind that the suffering of Rome and the memory of Rome is part of Czech history, part of our shared memory. We are pleased that Rome and the Sinti Center can become a connecting element of this important place and an important date in Rome’s history.” Jana Horváthová, director of the Roman Museum of Culture, commented on the event.

This year, the Roma and Sinti Center in Prague will commemorate Rome Holocaust Day at the National Memorial in Vítkov not only with the opening of the above-mentioned exhibition, but also with the theatrical production of Gypsy Boxer, which will be part of the opening program .

Olga Vlčková, head of the Roma and Sinti Center in Prague, added: “Entry to the opening and exhibition is free. Our goal is to bring the Rome and Sinti holocausts closer to a wider context. Therefore, we are very pleased with the collaboration with the National Museum, which has allowed us to host this and other events at the National Memorial in Vítkov, which we are preparing as part of the Rome and Sinti Center complementary program.”