On April 8, communities around the world celebrate International Romani Day, a date dedicated to recognizing the history, culture, and ongoing struggles of the Romani people. This year, the celebration takes on special significance in Spain, as it marks the 600th anniversary of the Romani people’s arrival in the Iberian Peninsula.
To honour this historic milestone, the Spanish government has officially declared 2025 as El Año del Pueblo Gitano — the Year of the Romani People. This symbolic recognition aims to promote public awareness of the Romani community’s rich cultural heritage and long-standing contributions to Spanish society.
The Romani people first arrived in the Iberian Peninsula in 1425, a journey marked by resilience, creativity, and enduring identity in the face of centuries of discrimination and exclusion. Over the years, they have become an integral part of Spanish cultural life, influencing music, language, art, and traditions — most notably through flamenco, which has deep roots in Romani culture.
Throughout Spain, various events, exhibitions, and educational programs are taking place in April and beyond to commemorate this significant year. From flamenco performances and public readings to school initiatives and official tributes, these activities are meant to both celebrate Romani identity and foster dialogue around the challenges the community continues to face today, including social inequality, racism, and underrepresentation.
The declaration stresses “the exclusion, persecution and discrimination” that the Roma people suffer and have suffered in our country. Therefore, as explained in the text, the Government of Spain assumes this anniversary not only as an act of historical memory, but as an institutional commitment to “combat the inequalities that still persist” and to “act with greater determination in the construction of a more inclusive, egalitarian and democratic society”.
María Cortés, member of Romani association Drom Kotar Mestipen declared in a previous celebration; Thanks to being part of the Drom Kotar Mestipen Association I have been able to experience firsthand the strength of my cousins and aunts, who during all this time have not stopped working for a better future, for not leaving anyone behind, for continuing to take steps forward. They have taken advantage of this time to continue training, many of them in online training, in different spaces and areas, managing to improve their academic training and that of their environment. All this has not been something individual, it is a collective process in which we all go as one and that is why we all succeed, we all win, we, our people and the whole society.
As International Romani Day is observed across the globe, this year’s celebrations in the Iberian Peninsula remind us that honouring history also means shaping a more inclusive future — one where Romani voices are heard, respected, and empowered.
Coordinator of Drom Kotar Mestipen