International Roma and Sinti Day: from Rome to Milano events and important recognitions.

On the occasion of the celebration of the annual anniversary of the International Roma and Sinti Day on 8 April, the violinist Gennaro Spinelli and the well-known composer Santino Spinelli will perform as soloists at the Teatro alla Scala in Milano Wednesday 10 April at 15pm accompanied by some musicians from the Anpi section of the Teatro alla Scala and by some musicians from the G. Rossini Symphony Orchestra of Pesaro.

"The goal achieved by father and son - supports the councilor for Social Policies and Health Barbara Funari - marks an important symbolic step for the entire country and for the Roma and Sinti community, both on a cultural and social level, towards greater inclusion and valorization of their culture. It is essential to continue together on this path to concretely create meeting streets in our neighborhoods so that Rome becomes a model for other cities in overcoming past logics that we try to counter every day".

The event is part of a broader framework of activities carried out throughout the national territory, in conjunction with the International Day of Roma and Sinti on 8 April, in collaboration with the Union of Italian Roman Communities (UCRI) and with the National Anti-Racial Discrimination Office (UNAR) at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

"The initiative - declares the Director of UNAR Mattia Peradotto - represents a fundamental step towards promoting non-stereotypical knowledge of minorities. Promoting dialogue in which Roma and Sinti activists, students, artists are protagonists is an essential element of empowerment processes and is the path hoped for in the recently approved Strategy for Equality, Inclusion and Participation of Roma and Sinti".

Among the events that will take place in the same week, the initiatives that will take place in Rome in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome are of particular importance. Starting from 11:00 on Friday 5 April, the conference-concert entitled “Roma and Sinti. From knowledge to coexistence: meeting of cultures, music and rights”.

Among the promoters of the initiative is prof. Gaetano Lettieri, Director of the Department of History, Anthropology, Religions, Art and Entertainment of “La Sapienza” in Rome: “The Roma and Sinti, whose history and culture are little known in Italy and Europe, have been and still are often discriminated against, exposed to the phenomenon of anti-gypsyism and to situations of constant vulnerability. With the Conference-Concert of the 5th April the SARAS Department of Sapienza University of Rome aims to encourage the emergence of a positive narrative about and by Roma and Sinti through music, an essential tool for transmitting Romani culture, and intends to enhance the paths of active citizenship in which Romani communities are protagonists in Italy".