Remembering the Porrajmos

[Astarho]

Today being Holocaust Remembrance Day, we should spend a moment on the Porrajmos (the 'Devouring' in Romany). In the Holocaust between a half million and two million Roma (Gypsies) died, although the exact number will probably never be known since many were killed on sight rather then arrested. And judging by the treatment that the Roma recieve in the world today, you would think the Porrajmos has been forgotten.

Gypsies are 'Europe's most hated'

Gypsies are the most hated minority in Europe despite centuries of persecution and the Holocaust, it has been claimed.

Up to half-a-million were killed by the Nazis - but their plight is often forgotten and they remain "demonised".

The comments were made by Dr James Smith of the National Holocaust Centre, where a conference on the treatment of gypsies and travellers is being held.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4486245.stm

IOM: Gypsy Holocaust Survivors Need Assistance

Gypsy family live in open air in the Black Sea port of Varna, Bulgaria, in this 2002 photo The U.N.-affiliated International Organization for Migration says tens-of-thousands of impoverished elderly Gypsy Holocaust survivors in Eastern and Central Europe are in desperate need of aid.

The International Organization for Migration estimates about 145,000 Gypsy Holocaust survivors living in eastern and central Europe are in need of aid. Since 2002, IOM and other agencies have provided basic assistance, such as food, firewood, coal, and hygiene articles to 64,000 Gypsies, also known as Roma.
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200504/200504110003.html

The Patrin has numerous essays and links all about the Porrajmos, including the song below.
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/5121/holcaust.htm

In Auschwitz there is a Great House
by Ruzena Danielova

Ausvicate hi kher bro 
Odoj besel mro pirano
Besel, besel gondolinel
Te pre mande pobisterel 

O tu kalo cirikloro
Lidza mange mro lilro
Lidza, lidza mra romake 
Hoj som phandlo Ausvicate

Ausvicate bokha bare
Te so te chal amen nane
Ani oda koter maro
O blokris bibachtl

In Auschwitz there is a great house
And there my husband is imprisoned
He sits and sits and laments
And thinks about me

Oh, you black bird!
Carry my letter!
Carry it to my wife
For I am jailed in Auschwitz

In Auschwitz there is great hunger
And we have nothing to eat
Not even a piece of bread
And the block guard is bad

[kliljedahl]

1. One of the interesting thing about the history

of the Holocaust, most people think it was only Jews, Our history really sucks. I'm not connected to any of the groups affected, Jews, Gypsies, gays etc., but I HATE bad history. Thanks for the post.


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[Astarho]

2. So very true

"Those who don't learn from history..." and so on. Unfortunately.

[Cleita]

3. Yes, I remember.

Besides gypsies and others mentioned above, he killed thousands of Russian prisoners of war in the work camps and concentration camps.

[Desertrose]

4. gypsies....THE most forgotten people

and to this day, who stands up for them???

Answer: no one