Roma Faces of Change

Vaska Bajramovska – Mustafa, Northern Macedonia

Lawyer and human rights activist, Vaska has been a fervent campaigner for Roma and women rights. She was one of the first members of the Roma News at the Macedonian National Television. Currently, she is the Deputy Ombudsman in Northern Macedonia.

Vasil Chaprazov, Bulgaria

Is an intellectual, a poet and a journalist. In 1978, he founded an underground Roma organisation to fight against the assimilation and the discrimination of the Roma and for their equality. After 1989, he became the first vice-president of the Democratic Union of Roma in Bulgaria.

Marcel Courthiade, France/Albania (1953-2021)

Was both an activist in the higher structures of the Roma people everywhere, as well as a linguist. He was the initiator of the unitary writing in the Romani language, the author and promoter of the linguistic terminology for the Romani language. He was also a university professor in Paris, and a translator for several languages.

D.Sc. Ljatif Demir, Northern Macedonia

Is one of the most prominent Roma writers and activists from the Balkan region and worldwide. He has been promoting the Roma language, literature and culture for more than 30 years. He holds a PhD in Literature, culture and film studies and is a professor of Romani language, literature and culture at the University of Zagreb, Croatia.

Sevdija Demirova Abdulova, Northern Macedonia

Is a journalist, poet, and a translator. She dedicated her life to the progress of the Roma community in Northern Macedonia and the region. Currently, Sevdija is an Advisor at the Cabinet of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Rajko Djuric, Serbia (1947-2020)

Was a writer, philosopher, researcher and one of the most prominent Roma activists worldwide. His works have been translated and published in many European languages. Djuric was the President of the International Romani Union and was the General Secretary of the Romani Centre of International PEN. In 2011, he co-founded a Romani Academy of Arts and Sciences in Belgrade and was its president until his death.

Bajram Haliti, Serbia (1955-2022)

Since 1975, Haliti distinguished himself as a non-compromising fighter for Roma rights, as well as a linguist, writer, and publicist. He was actively involved in the process of the standardization of the Romani language, and an expert on the history of Roma origins, migrations, with a special emphasis on relations between Roma and India. Haliti contributed to the scientific research focusing on the issues of Romocid (the Genocide of Roma in the Second World War).He was the founder of the Institute for European Roma Studies and Research Against Crimes against Humanity and International Law.

Vasile Ionescu, Romania

Is a writer and one of the most prominent figures of the Roma movement in this country. In 1990, he published the first Roma newspaper in Romania, Aven Amentza. During the '90s, he also activated in the Ministry of Culture, as an advisor on Roma issues. He authored several volumes of cultural history.

Andrzej Mirga, Poland

Is an ethnologist, analyst, and activist. He was the first Roma student at the Jagiellonian University from Kraków, where he completed his studies in history and philosophy and later became a lecturer. He co-founded the first Polish Roma Association after the fall of the communism and served as a leading expert and advisor on Roma issues to the Government of Poland, the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the OSCE. He also was chair of Roma Education Fund.

Grattan Puxon, United Kingdom

Since the 1960’s, he has been a campaigner for the rights of the Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) community and actively involved in the international movements aimed at increasing the rights of the Roma community. He was a founding member of The Gypsy Council and one of the organizers of the first World Romani Congress held in 1971. Grattan has also authored several books relating to the history and experiences of the GRT community.