Romnja* Power Month

The Romnja* Power Month takes place annually from March 8 to April 8 and is thus framed by International Feminist Day of Struggle and International Romani Day.

With this special and in Germany unique series of events we want to highlight Romnja* and Sintezzi* as artistic, scientific and socio-critical agents and present their work to a broad audience.

The Romnja* Power Month makes visible contributions, history, issues and social analyses of Romani people, with a special focus on those produced by Romani women* as well as feminist perspectives.

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Poster preparation für for the feminist fight day

8th of March 11:00 AM
RomaniPhen Archiv Karl-Kunger-Str. 17, 12435 Berlin
Only with invitation

Internal meeting in our archive to prepare banners, posters and other materials for the feminist day of struggle.

Come along and let’s brainstorm, create and initiate change together!

Reading: Lyrical and artistic evening with Romani Chaji

13th of March 5:00 PM
RomaniPhen Archiv Karl-Kunger-Str. 17, 12435 Berlin

Lyrical and artistic evening with Romani Chaji

As part of the project “RomaniChaji writes poems – Romani Artistipani Rat”, the RomaniChaji girls’ group met once a week in small groups. The result is a book of poems and pictures that deal with their lives, the world around them, their dreams and hopes. The poems were written in several languages (Romanes, Serbian and German).

On the occasion of Romnja Power Month, the work will be presented to the public at a lyrical and artistic evening in the premises of RomaniPhen e.V.

Onlinemeeting: Building BIPOC* spaces critical of masculinity

15th of March 5:30 PM
Online
Only with invitation

The fight against racism does not only conditionally include the fight against sexism. In a protected BIPOC* space, we want to discuss how BIPOC masculine-critical spaces can be initiated in practice. What do these spaces need? Which actors are relevant here? What attitudes are required? Are there already methods for this? How is it possible to give impetus to the civil rights activists of the Sinti*zze and Rom*nja? We want to work on these and many other questions in dialog.

Participants: Internal BIPOC* Safer Space event

In cooperation with Erenja e.V.

Get together: Generation ADEFRA Stammtisch @RomaniPhen

18th of March 5:00 PM
RomaniPhen Archiv Karl-Kunger-Str. 17. 12435 Berlin

To celebrate Romnja* Power Month, the Generation ADEFRA Stammtisch will take place again this year at the RomaniPhen Archive. Generation ADEFRA e. V. – Black Women in Germany – is a cultural-political forum by and for Black women.

The regular Generation ADEFRA Stammtisch invites you to the rooms of the RomaniPhen Archive as part of the Romnja* Power Month. As always, Sistahs* of African Heritage, Romnja*, Sintizzi* and POC Sisters*, Trans*Sisters and Inter*Sisters are welcome.

In cooperation with ADEFRA e.V.

Open Day at RomaniPhen e.V.

20th of March 4:00 PM
RomaniPhen Archiv Karl-Kunger-Str. 17, 12435 Berlin

Have you always wanted to know how the self-organised, Romani feminist association RomaniPhen e.V. works? Where do the projects on empowering, racism-critical and feminist educational work and projects in the cultural sector for Rom*nja and Sinti*zze come about? Why are the rooms in Karl-Kunger Str. called the Romaniphen Archive?

Then drop by. You are cordially invited to get to know the team and the work of RomaniPhen as part of the Romnja* Power Month open day on 20th March from 4-7pm.

At 4pm there will be an introduction to our work followed by a surprise DIY project with you.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Performative Reading: Erinnern an eine Zukunft

21th of March 6:00 PM
Theater in der Parkaue Parkaue 29, 10367 Berlin

Image: Rroma Æther Klub Theater

Nebojša Marković Vonplon will stage the texts from the collective story collection “Erinnern an eine Zukunft” (Remembering a Future) – book premiere in autumn 2024 – in a performative reading at the young state theater “Theater an der Parkaue”.

As part of the project – “Plural narratives by Rom*nja artists – between persecution and resistance” – the team explored the diverse realities of life, multi-layered perspectives and plural memories of Sinti*zze and Rom*nja and discussed in literary terms how National Socialism has shaped and continues to shape their experiences and life paths.

The performance sets itself the task of exposing new and old social mechanisms and techniques of exclusion in the context of this historical interweaving. This creates a space that allows the visualization of the individual’s situational stories, inner processes and actions. This interaction and confrontation with the individual’s everyday life enables a dialog between the audience and the performers’ artistic reflection.

The stories are unfolded in a haunting and visually powerful performative reading and accompanied musically by cellist Merle Weißbach.

With: Taisiya Schumacher, Miriam Jungbauer, Melanie Joschla Weiß and Slaviša Marković.

In cooperation with Rroma Æther Klub Theater and Kelipen e.V

Panel & Short Movie: Rom*nja Art & Feminism

21th of March 7:00 PM
Theater in der Parkaue Parkaue 29, 10367 Berlin

Image: Małgorzata Mirga-Tas

The Rom*nja theatre collective invites you to the series Rom*nja Art & Feminism. The panel will deal with questions about the artistic deconstruction of old structures of oppression, values and the opportunity of memory culture and how Rom*nja artists combine their individual understanding of feminism with their chosen art forms and thus create new images of women* for the performing arts (film and theatre)

Moderation: Tayo Awosusi-Onutor

Speakers: Alina Serban (director/actress), Isidora Randjelović (author/researcher, co-founder of inirromnja & RomaniPhen e.V), Cat Jugravu (theater maker, trans rights activist), Hanna AlTaher (researcher/author/lecturer)

Project management: Rea Kurmann

accompanied by a short film by Alina Serban

Ideas Lab: Vision of a Wikipedia that is critical of power and discrimination

22th until 24th of March 5:00 PM
Wikimedia Deutschland Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24. 10963 Berlin
Only with invitation

Wikipedia is one of the top 10 most popular websites in the world. The German-language Wikipedia is accessed around 1 billion times a month. With this reach, Wikipedia has an immense influence on what is understood as established knowledge. But what is the significance of established knowledge in the context of social power asymmetries and upheavals, a shift to the right and histories of resistance and movements? How is what constitutes established knowledge negotiated and who has a seat at the table?

These questions will be discussed at a two-day ideas lab from 22nd to 24th of March 2024 entitled “The vision of a Wikipedia that is critical of power and discrimination”. What barriers stand in the way of this goal? What challenges do we have to face along the way? How does the German-language Wikipedia work at all and how can marginalised knowledge find its way into Wikipedia?

In cooperation with Wikimedia Deutschland e.V.

Panel: Decolonizing narratives - Romnja Feminist Voices (English)

27th of March 6:00 PM
Online - Registration: office@romnjafeministlib.com

Ilustration: Sandra Carmona

In a world marked by persistent knowledge colonization, our commitment is to amplify Romnja feminist voices, challenging narratives perpetuating erasure and violence against Romani and other minorities. This event continues Romnja efforts to reclaim agency, building on the Romani community’s resilience. By providing an online platform for Roma women, we confront misrepresentation and marginalization in anti-racist and feminist discourses. This crucial event aims to increase visibility and recognition for Romnja knowledge, emphasizing diverse perspectives to shape collective consciousness and promote equity. It stands as a testament to the strength of Romani women, persistently asserting their presence and demanding justice in a world that has long sought to silence them.

Speaker Lineup:

–Vera Kurtić

–Svetlana Kostić

–Terezia Rostas

-Enisa Eminovska

-Judit Ignácz

Moderator: Aldessa Georgiana Lincan, Romnja Feminist Library

In cooperation with Romnja Feminist Library

Premiere Film + Conversation: "The right to have rights - struggles of migrants, PoC, Sintizze & Romnja for equal rights"

28. of March 6:45 PM
Aquarium Skalitzer Str. 6., 10999 Berlin

The film is in German and English spoken language with English and German subtitles. The discussion will be held in German and English with whispered translation into the other language. The venue is accessible for wheelchair users.

There are currently over 12 million people without German citizenship living in Germany. Among them are 1.5 million who, although born here, do not have a German passport.

Children only receive German citizenship at birth if at least one parent has a permanent right of residence. As a result, thousands of children whose parent(s) live with a tolerated stay permit (Duldung) or are stateless are denied German citizenship for generations.

What does it mean to be stateless, to live with a tolerated stay permit or to have a nationality other than German? What struggles have migrants, PoC, Sint*izze & Rom*nja waged and are currently waging for equal rights?

The film encourages people to think about the meaning of citizenship and to work towards a society in which the right to rights applies to everyone without restriction. It was made as part of the “Pass(t) uns allen” campaign by RomaniPhen e.V. and With Wings and Roots e.V.

Followed by a discussion with the protagonists of the film.

In cooperation with With Wings and Roots e.V.

Workshop: Empowering Voices: Advancing Reproductive Rights for Romani Women in Europe by European Roma Rights Centre (English)

02nd of April 4:00 PM
RomaniPhen Archiv Karl-Kunger-Str. 17, 12435 Berlin
Registration: svetlana.kostic@romaniphen.de

Join us for a dynamic workshop led by the ERRC‘s Legal Directors that aims to explore and address the critical issue of access to reproductive rights for Romani women in Europe. This empowering session will delve into the unique challenges faced by Romani women in exercising their reproductive rights, examining the intersections of laws, discrimination, and healthcare disparities.

Through engaging discussions, case studies, and interactive activities, participants will gain insights into the barriers that hinder Romani women’s access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare. The workshop will also highlight successful advocacy strategies and initiatives that promote inclusivity, raise awareness, and drive positive change.

Together, let’s foster a supportive and informed community dedicated to advancing the reproductive rights of Romani women, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and inclusive society.

In cooperation with European Roma Rights Centre.

Panel: Realities of life for Romnja* in Berlin

04th of April 6:00 PM
Aquarium Skalitzer Str. 6. 10999 Berlin

“Four children are enough, right?” Such or similar overbearing statements about reproductive labour are part of everyday life for young Roma* in the health sector. Female Roma* are also disproportionately discriminated against when it comes to accessing childcare, in benefits offices or on the street. This is shown by our DOSTA incidents.

That is why we, the Documentation Centre for Antiziganism (DOSTA, Amaro Foro e.V.), in cooperation with RomaniPhen e.V., are inviting you to a panel discussion on 4 April 2020 as part of Romnja* Power Month, which aims to open up feminist perspectives on anti-Romani racism in Berlin.

We want to make the multiple discrimination of Romnja* visible. To this end, we will present our DOSTA incidents and discuss the historical continuities of sexualised violence. What forms does this particular discrimination take? How can we strengthen ourselves? We will be joined by:

Hajdi Barz, RomaniPhen e.V.

Violeta Balog, Dosta, Amaro Foro e.V.

Estera Sara Stan – RomaniPhen e.V.

Moderation: Carmen Bujan Glink, Amaro Foro e.V.

In co-operation with Amaro Foro e.V. and Amaro Drom e.V.

Panel: 2013-2023: A look back at the last 10 years of Romani and Sinti activism in Berlin

05th of April 6:00 PM
Aquarium Skalitzer Str. 6. 10999 Berlin

In this panel, Rom*nja and Sinti*zze activists and people who have been dealing with Rom*nja and Sinti*zze issues for years as part of their work will take a look back at the past decade and discuss the extent to which the visibility of the local Roma and Sinti*zze community and public awareness of racism against Roma and Sinti*zze and its history have changed since 2013 and what essential role feminist Roma* activism has played during this period. What progress can be observed? What hurdles do we still face? What can we as activists do to address the needs of our community more effectively and establish a gender-just understanding of action and activism?

We will explore these and many other socially relevant questions during the panel discussion, to which everyone interested in the topic is cordially invited!

With Isidora Randjelović, Jane Weiss, Violeta Balog, Hajdi Barz, Slavisa Marcović, Miman Jasarovski and Milan Raković

In cooperation with Rroma-Informations-Centrum e.V.

Closing Event: Romnja* Power Month

6th of April 7:00 PM
Südblock Admiralstraße 1-2, 10999 Berlin

We cordially invite you to our final event of the RPM at Südblock! Listen together, engage in dialogue and celebrate our communities and cross-community work!

Programme: WE ART HERE! – Comedy – Singing – Spoken Word – Dance – Presentient by Gianni Jovanović & Oyindamola Alashe

Sin Miedo a la Libertad– Flamenco Spectacle by Noelia Heredia “La Negri ” & Ensemble

Zorica Jovanović & Dejan Jovanović Songs for the soul

Deno Records – Romani Balkan beats

Dj Aldessa – Romani Feminist beats