Is Remembering Enough? Understanding the Romani World through Language, Family and Memory Written during the night of 2–3 August 2026, Roma Holocaust Memorial Day

Introduction Romani identity is often discussed in simplified or static terms. However, lived experience across Romani communities demonstrates that identity is neither fixed nor uniform. Instead, it is shaped by a complex interaction of cultural, historical and social factors that vary across time, place and group experience. This article introduces the Romanipe – A Fluid Identity Model, a conceptual framework designed to better understand the dynamic and relational nature of Romani identity. The model brings together key cultural dimensions and situates them within broader historical processes, including migration, linguistic contact and the long-term impact of antigypsyism.

Roma women in Oldham came together to create something that had never existed before in the UK: a Romani-language animated film shaped by their own lived experiences. Gelem, Gelem premiered on 18 December 2025 at Hack Oldham, emerging from years of trust-based work through the Roma Connections project, led by Kaskosan Roma Charity in partnership with the University of Salford.

Roma women in Oldham co-created the first Romani-language animated film in the UK. Gelem, Gelem premieres on 18 December 2025 at Hack Oldham. Created through the Roma Connections project by KaskoSan Roma Charity and University of Salford.

A groundbreaking milestone is unfolding in Manchester as KaskoSan Roma Charity partners with the prestigious Whitworth Art Gallery for the opening of an exhibition of renowned Polish-Roma artist Małgorzata Mirga-Tas. This historic collaboration not only amplifies Roma art and culture but also sets a precedent for how grassroots initiatives can inspire cultural transformation.

The project aimed to influence Oldham Roma residents' behaviour and choices in relation to their day to day commutes and encouraged walking which happened through the increase of the knowledge, skills, awareness and confidence of traditional Roma mothers, grandmothers and KaskoSan volunteers on three different occasions.

Juice Vamosi, Roma film producer, is looking at the impact of Dr Dan Allen's ground-breaking research through interviews about the overrepresentation of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Children in child welfare services in England with Dr Allen, the researcher, Jackie Bolton, Romani social worker, Oliver Conway, solicitor, Steve Myers, vice-chair of the Association of Child Protection Professionals and Maria Palmai from KaskoSan Roma Charity.

‘Romani interpreters have to know more than one dialect if they’re going to get the whole true meaning’ (Hancock, 2023)

Join us for our performance of ‘A Flag Large Enough’ on Thur 16 May. Get your free ticket now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-flag-large-enough-tickets-888224191467?aff=oddtdtcreator

The first workshop of UK Roma families from Oldham, Bolton, Preston and Bradford at Theatre in the Mill on 24th March 2024. The show is directed by The Javaad Alipoor Company and will be first performed on May 16 at Theatre in the Mill in Bradford.