A History of Persecution, Discrimination, and Exclusion
The Roma, also known as Tsingani, Sinti, and Manush, are often portrayed as exotic, strange, and even dangerous, and have faced discrimination and persecution throughout Europe for centuries. Today, between 12 and 15 million Roma live in Europe, with approximately 70% of the population in Eastern Europe. Anti-Roma discrimination and prejudice has been woven into the European social and cultural fabric, and, despite their position as one Europe’s largest ethnic minorities, Roma are not given a proper platform to combat the negative perceptions people have about them. This exhibition was created as a platform for Roma voices to share their stories. The portraits and personal testimonies presented in this exhibition stand in stark contrast to widely held Roma stereotypes and misconceptions and challenge the viewer to reexamine his or her own viewpoints and prejudices about this unique and diverse community. This exhibition aims to facilitate dialogue around how we can improve the status of Roma and other minority groups, raise awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by Bosnian Roma individuals, and combat the stereotypes that lead to further marginalization and exclusion of Roma communities. When non-Roma individuals begin to reexamine their own beliefs and behavior toward Roma, they then sow the seeds for a wider cultural and behavioral shift that can lead to a more inclusive society for all.
The concept for “On the Margins” was developed around several core documents, including the Council of Europe’s “Dosta! Toolkit Against Anti-Gypsyism”, the OSCE Mission to BiH’s “Special Report on the Status of Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, UNICEF’s “The Status of Roma Children and Families in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, reports by the World Bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina.