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The Survivors' Stories program by Slovo 21 revisited one of the darkest chapters of Romani history: the Holocaust. Through theatrical performances, exhibitions, and educational programs, it sought to confront historical events that we must not forget. This time, the program is not being reviewed by the organizers or lecturers, but by those for whom it was created—the students.

A new beginning brings with it many questions and uncertainties. That is why, through the project Your New Home in the Czech Republic, we helped people with international protection find their way around the Czech Republic. Open communication, handled with sensitivity and empathy, often played a key role on the path to integration. As did the opportunity to ask about anything.

He spent over thirty years working in a coal mine. But Jozef Miker decided to dedicate an even greater part of his life to fighting neo-Nazism and racism. In the Slovo 21 production, he speaks about his family history and his own experiences with racism.

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The eighth annual We Are Neighbors After All festival is set to bring Central Park Pankrác to life once again. On Thursday, June 25, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the event will feature a program full of music, dance, and food that will delight both children and adults.

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The best Romani artists from around the world and an unforgettable atmosphere. Starting Sunday, May 24, Prague will host the 28th annual edition of the world's largest Romani festival – Khamoro. Visitors can look forward to a total of seven concerts featuring traditional and contemporary Romani music, gypsy jazz, and classical music. The festival will also offer two dozen accompanying events, a large part of which are dedicated to commemorating the Romani Holocaust.

How do we deal with the injustices of the past? Where can we find justice and achieve true redress? Slovo 21 has joined the international Jekhipe project, which openly addressed the injustices that Roma people still have to face today. The Romani Holocaust, school segregation, discrimination, violence, and the long-term disregard for the rights of the Romani community.

Zdeněk Serinek knew nothing about his family's story for a long time. Today, however, he proudly carries the legacy of his grandfather, the Romani partisan and resistance leader Josef Serinek. What is it like when heroism becomes a taboo? And what emotions arise when people start talking about it openly? Zdeněk’s personal narrative has also become part of the theatrical production Stories of the Survivors, prepared by Slovo 21.

What does it mean to be a Romani woman? And who actually gets to decide that? Expectations, roles, and social pressure often dictate what women experience—and what they keep to themselves. Domestic violence has long been a taboo subject in the Romani community, yet our exclusive research shows that nearly one-third of Romani women in the Czech Republic have experienced it. This is why Slovo 21 created the new theatrical production Speak Up.

Culture changes perspectives. It breaks down prejudices and gives a voice to those who are often left on the sidelines. Yet, young Roma people are still more often spectators than creators. We want to change that. That is why, for several years now, Slovo 21 has been opening the doors to the backstage of the largest Roma festival in the world – Khamoro.

How should public officials communicate with people from completely different cultural backgrounds? And what can help police officers, for example, better understand the situations they encounter in the field? They can find out at our two-day Strengthening Intercultural Competencies training. Jiří Janoštík from the Jeseník District Police Department is one of those who have completed it. What did he take away from the training?

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Pain. Anger. A silence that lasted for decades. The topic of forced sterilizations has returned to public debate in recent weeks, partly due to the compensation of victims. The new book Podphandle mašľičkenca – Tied with Ribbons, published by Slovo 21 at the end of last year, has also sparked strong reactions.

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He fled his native Afghanistan under dramatic circumstances as the Taliban advanced. Mr. Sultani arrived in the Czech Republic as a recipient of international protection. Navigating a new and complex system, finding a job, and understanding how daily life works was not easy. It was during this time that he joined our New Home project, which helped him organize information and take his first steps in a new reality. Today, he runs his own bistro in Prague’s Vršovice district.

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Domestic violence in Romani communities, anti-Gypsyism in the Czech Republic, and finding one's own strength. These were the exact topics addressed at the end of January during a meeting for our project, Speak Up to Be Heard. Twenty Romani women from various parts of the country—including Náchod, Písek, Broumov, Chodov, and Chomutov—traveled to Prague to attend.

Constant fear for one's life and the lives of loved ones. Uncertainty about what the next day will bring. Damaged relationships. It has been four years since the Russian invasion turned the lives of millions upside down. Slovo 21 also offered help to the thousands of Ukrainians who began arriving in the Czech Republic in search of safety immediately after the war began. It joined forces with UNHCR to address the most pressing needs.

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It is one of the darkest chapters of modern history, yet children in schools are rarely taught about the Romani Holocaust. Slovo 21 is trying to change that, at least in part. Through a special educational program, they are bringing a long-overlooked topic into the classroom—sensitively, humanely, and without oversimplification.

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Anti-Gypsyism is deeply rooted in the Czech Republic and has persisted throughout historical periods—from the First Republic through the communist regime to the present day. This is shown by a new research report from the Centre for European Policy Studies and the Slovo 21 association. The document proposes several legislative and social changes as solutions.

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They don't grow up in "typical" families. But that doesn't mean they lack ambition, talent, or the drive to work on themselves. Our Avela project supports Roma children in their education and development across the Czech Republic – and some of its activities are focused on those living in children's homes.

Prague has long ceased to be a city only for Czechs. Today, approximately a quarter of its residents are foreigners who often struggle with a language barrier. The Prague Together 2025 project was created specifically for them.

Forced sterilizations, supported by the state for decades, have altered the lives of thousands of Romani women and their families. Yet, Czech literature has remained almost silent on this trauma until now. Slovo 21 and our Romani writers' club, Paramisara, have decided to at least partially fill this gap. We are therefore publishing a collection of short stories titled Podphandle mašľičkenca – Tied with Ribbons.

When seventeen-year-old Marlon Ferenc from Prague arrived at our "We Are Walking a Long Path" summer school, he expected a few lectures and meeting new people. A few days later, however, he left feeling that he finally understood his identity. And that he knew much more about how to stand up against injustices faced by Roma people.

Viktoria arrived in Prague with her son six years ago in response to the rising tensions in the Donetsk region. Recalling her first weeks in the Czech Republic, she says she felt lost. Among other things, the Slova 21 New Home project, which offers a helping hand to holders of international protection, helped her find her way.

Less tension, more understanding. Sooner or later, every migrant in a new country encounters officials – at the foreign police, the labor office, or municipal authorities. However, the barrier between an official and a foreigner is not just the counter. It is often created by language barriers and cultural differences.

Forbidding children from speaking Romani at school. Being accused of not paying rent simply because of the color of your skin. And the story of a mother who survived a concentration camp, only to be kicked off a tram by a group of skinheads decades later. Marcela Surmajová carries memories that can never be forgotten.

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The We Are Walking a Long Path summer school, which Slovo 21 has revived after nearly two decades, offers young Roma the opportunity to spend several summer days together, exploring their own culture and history through informal education and finding ways to actively engage in the fight against antigypsyism.

Jdeme dlouhou cestou is no ordinary summer school. It combines several goals: strengthening Romani pride, learning about one's own history and culture, and motivating young Roma to get involved in the fight against anti-Gypsyism. Sebastian is one of this year's participants.

Not knowing where to go or for how long. Just walking. This is the reality faced by hundreds of Ukrainian children who had to leave their homes due to the war. Their authentic stories are the focus of the exhibition The Journey / Traces of Stories, which opened on August 5th at the Jiří Mahen Library in Brno.

Mário Bihári and his iconic accordion conquered the local music scene long ago, captivating audiences everywhere. Writer, journalist, and Magnesia Litera award winner Patrik Banga boasts an equally impressive list of achievements. These two inspiring figures embarked on a journey together, which culminated in our meeting at the launch of the book I See Music in Color.

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The "After All, We Are Neighbors" festival in Prague's Pankrác district returned for its seventh year, offering a program packed with music, dance, and activities for both children and adults. These neighborhood celebrations provide a space for everyone to express themselves and share a piece of their national identity.

High school entrance exams have been incredibly stressful and demanding in recent years. This situation is even more challenging for children and young people of Romani origin, who continue to face obstacles within the educational system. Three boys, Robert, Milan, and Sebastian, have just finished ninth grade and share with us the journey that led them to high school thanks to tutoring from the Avela project.

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She ensures that translation and interpreting for the "Welcome to the Czech Republic" courses run smoothly and to the highest possible standard. Majdulin Oostrom knows firsthand how difficult it is to start a new life in a foreign country. "If a course like this had existed in 1971, it would have been much easier for us," she emphasizes.

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Those who listened closely may have learned a thing or two about their own desires, worries, and joys. The evening, dedicated to the Romani tradition of vakeriben (storytelling), was hosted by members of the Paramisara Romani writers' club, whose stories touched on the theme of the Romani family. Even the musicians from the Gipsy Brothers, joined by David Kraus, eventually began sharing their own stories, and the evening flew by all too quickly. 

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The seventh annual We Are Neighbors After All festival is bringing life back to Pankrác Central Park. Join us on Wednesday, June 25, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM for an evening packed with music, dance, and theater that will delight both children and adults.

Who am I and where do I actually belong? These are just some of the questions asked by Romani children growing up in children's homes. As part of the Khamoro festival, we have once again implemented a unique program Khamoro Kher, which helps these children discover their Romani identity.

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Roma Voices: Celebrating European Diversity at Khamoro. This was the name of the second international event of the Sound of Diversity European project, which took place from May 28–30, 2025, as part of the Khamoro festival. Representatives from cities, organizations, and communities gathered to explore ways to promote equality, minority inclusion, and the fight against discrimination through culture.

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One of our most popular festival events is just around the corner. The traditional parade will fill the heart of Prague with a vibrant celebration. The day will conclude with an evening concert of traditional Romani music at La Fabrika, which is once again not to be missed. Come dance, sing, and celebrate life!

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The highlight of the festival week! The final gala concert at one of Prague's largest clubs will feature performances by all the bands that showcased traditional Romani music at La Fabrika. 

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Tonight is all about music that will move you in every sense of the word. The first of three traditional Romani music concerts kicks off at 7 PM at La Fabrika. If this is your first time at the festival, get ready—you are in for an authentic experience that will stay with you long after the final note.

We are halfway through the festival, but the program is showing no signs of slowing down. The fourth day of Khamoro kicks off this afternoon with a Theatre of the Oppressed production, Stories of the Survivors. You can also look forward to a film screening about the Czech education system and the obstacles faced by Romani students. In the evening, we have a concert that blends classical, jazz, and Romani music.

Tuesday at Khamoro may not start until the evening, but it will definitely be worth it!

The morning after the opening party might be a bit rough, but none of us should sleep through the second day of Khamoro. Today is all about gypsy jazz, but the accompanying program is packed as well.

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It’s here! The Khamoro party at Gauč na Výstavišti kicks off the 27th annual Khamoro, the world’s largest Roma festival, today. Starting at 7:30 PM, get ready for musical performances guaranteed to get you on your feet.

The 2020 Belarusian elections led to the re-election of the authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko. The situation became complicated for many people who found themselves in uncertainty or danger. The journey of a young man named Gleb to the Czech Republic was a long one. He came into contact with Slovo 21 through the New Home project, which assists holders of international protection.

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Roma music from around the world, film screenings, theatre of the oppressed, and the presentation of unique research on domestic violence in the Roma community. For the twenty-seventh time, Prague will host Khamoro during the last week of May.

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The Speak Up project, focused on raising awareness about domestic violence within the Roma community, has been running since September 2023. Under the leadership of coordinator Claudia Laburdová, it has come a long way. At the heart of its various activities is the effort to inform women that violence in any form is not okay and that they do not have to face difficult situations alone.

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They had only a few minutes to pack their essentials and leave their homes. The exhibition Journey / Traces of Stories, which opens on April 29, 2025, at 4:00 PM at the Museum of Southeast Moravia in Zlín, shares the stories of Ukrainian children fleeing the war through 26 pairs of authentic shoes and excerpts from their personal accounts.

On the occasion of International Roma Day, April 8, 2025, the "I Will Not Be Silent" campaign launches, aiming to publicly reject and combat anti-Gypsyism—the deeply rooted prejudices and unfair treatment faced by Roma people.

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Children and youth of Romani origin continue to face unequal access to education. The Avela project, organized by Slovo 21, offers children a helping hand in managing their academic responsibilities. The project provides assistance in various locations across the country. One of the cities where Avela program activities have been running for the past three months is Kutná Hora. 

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Under the auspices of the project of the same name by the Slovo 21 association, a unique production has been created, featuring seven non-professional actors whose family members were victims of the Romani Holocaust. Using the method of Theatre of the Oppressed, the production transforms the true stories of their families into a poignant testimony about a long-neglected injustice.

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The Strengthening Intercultural Competencies project aims to help public administration and security personnel improve their communication skills. During a two-day workshop, attendees have the opportunity to learn how to better perceive the needs of third-country nationals.

Although we come from different corners of the world, food is a universal language that brings us together. Sometimes, all it takes is a shared lunch to feel a greater sense of belonging and acceptance in a new country. Since 2004, under the auspices of Slovo 21, people from various cultures have been meeting with Czech families through the Family Next Door project. Its goal is to bring foreigners and the majority society closer together and foster mutual understanding. You can sign up for this year's edition right now!

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At the beginning of January, Prague hosted a meeting of the Paramisara literary club, which brings together Romani writers. The club is part of Slovo 21’s efforts to support the flourishing of the Romani language and the original work of authors, who are given the opportunity to gather inspiration as well as useful skills.

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The vast majority of graduates rate the "Welcome to the Czech Republic" adaptation and integration courses as beneficial, clear, and well-organized. This was shown by a survey involving 626 participants throughout last year. A record 97% of foreigners were satisfied with the quality of the instruction. More than a third would have signed up for the course even if it were not mandatory.  

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Jana Horváthová, a historian, ethnographer, and director of the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno, has traveled a long road toward self-acceptance. Her famous family tradition led her to take an interest in both her own family history and the history of all Roma. In this interview, she opens up about her own upbringing and calls for a change in how we learn about Romani history.

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They had only a few minutes to pack their essentials and leave their homes. The exhibition Journey / Traces of Stories, which opens on January 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Artivist Lab in Kampus Hybernská, shares the stories of Ukrainian children fleeing the war through 26 pairs of authentic shoes and audio recordings.

Architect, painter, and designer Zdeněk Daniel explores themes in this interview that permeate his entire body of work. Whether reflecting on a dark family history, creating vibrant, color-drenched paintings, or working on architectural projects, his work consistently reflects a sense of social responsibility and a commitment to creating environments accessible to everyone without distinction.

They had only a few minutes to pack the bare essentials. Often, it was just the clothes and shoes they were wearing when they set off into the unknown at the end of February 2022. Today, two and a half years later, these young refugees and their shoes tell the story of their sudden departure from home in Ukraine and their arrival in the Czech Republic. Their journeys are brought to life in the exhibition The Journey / Traces of Stories.

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The Intercultural Competence Strengthening Project has set itself a challenging goal: to change the complex reality faced by people arriving in the Czech Republic. During two-day courses, representatives from public administration and security forces learn how to interact with foreigners more effectively and without prejudice.

Essential and valuable information for foreigners planning to move to the Czech Republic. Everything is presented clearly, concisely, and in an engaging way. This is what the new instructional film, Next Stop: Czech Republic, recently released by our organization, Slovo 21, offers. It guides foreigners through the realities of life in the Czech Republic and introduces them to what they can expect upon arrival in their new country.

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The international Jekhipe project aims to restore dignity to the Roma. However, it often encounters resistance from the majority society. Where do these hateful feelings toward the Roma minority come from? As an advocacy worker, Jan Husák highlights the systemic failures that repeatedly push the Roma to the margins.

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How we write about foreigners matters. Media stereotyping fuels frequent negative attitudes toward them. This is why a series of seminars was launched this school year, where future journalists learn about the reality of migration policy and the lives of individual minorities in our country.

An increasing number of newly arrived foreigners are unaware of the legal requirement to complete an adaptation-integration course. This issue has been highlighted by the organization Slovo 21, which conceived the idea for these courses over a decade ago and continues to provide their methodological oversight. Failure to fulfill this obligation can result in a fine for the foreigners.

"Guest Foreigner" – that is the name of a unique part of the Strengthening Intercultural Competencies training, which allows civil servants and security personnel to meet someone who has personal experience with integration in the Czech Republic.

Supporting Romani literature has long been a priority for the Slovo 21 association. The short story collection Fameľija nadevše (Family Above All) brings together the work of fifteen authors from the Paramisara Romani writers' club, whose stories focus on the universal theme of family.

The first two integration seminars have taken place as part of the New Home in the Czech Republic project. One was for Russian-speaking and the other for Chinese-speaking holders of international protection. The seminars offer a helping hand at a time when newcomers are often left on their own without the necessary information.

The theme of family is central to the book Fameľija nadevše (Family above all), which will be released this November. This short story collection brings together the work of fifteen authors from the Paramisara literary club, who explore themes of family anxieties and hopes in their stories.

Together in one place for the first time. At the end of September, Prague hosted the first-ever conference for the "Welcome to the Czech Republic" project. It brought together everyone involved in providing adaptation and integration courses for newly arrived foreigners across the country.

Negative attitudes toward foreigners in Czech society are often caused by a lack of information and a distorted media image. This is why the "We Are Not Strangers" project is launching a series of seminars for future journalists.

When Ms. Ye Traoré decided to start a business selling African goods in Prague in the 1990s, the idea seemed like a shot in the dark. Today, African Culture and Art has a loyal clientele and offers a range of products from spices to fashion.

Over the next two years, 500 high school students will participate in a special educational program that immerses them in the history of the Romani Holocaust through the authentic memories of survivors' descendants.

Want to try Czech beer? See the Charles Bridge? Have some svíčková with cream sauce? What should most newcomers from non-EU countries do after arriving in the Czech Republic? First and foremost, sign up for the "Welcome to the Czech Republic" adaptation-integration course. That’s exactly what influencer Andrea from Venezuela talks about in our new spot.

We need to talk about domestic violence! That is the motto of the Speak Out project, which addresses this topic within the Roma community, where it is still often a taboo. Prevention also plays a key role, which is why we organized a summer school for young Roma from the Manushe junior group.

Although the number of temporary protection holders from Ukraine who speak Czech is growing in the Czech Republic, 20% of them still do not speak the language at all. This alarming figure is a challenge for both the Ukrainian community and Czech society.

It’s become a tradition. At the end of June, we always meet at Na Pankráci park by Café Na půl cesty to enjoy a wonderful multicultural evening filled with music, dance, theater, and exotic food. This time, however, a wild thunderstorm threw a wrench in our plans, and everything went differently than intended.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, we have been dedicated not only to providing direct aid to refugees but also, in collaboration with researchers from the Faculty of Science at Charles University, to understanding what life in the Czech Republic is actually like for those fleeing the war.

What is life like in the Czech Republic? What should foreigners know about this country in the heart of Europe before deciding to make it their new home? They can find out all this in Next Stop, an updated instructional film that offers newcomers a basic overview of the Czech Republic.

How many foreigners are there in the Czech Republic and where did they come from?According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, there were more than one million foreigners in the Czech Republic at the end of March this year. The number of foreigners in the country began to rise significantly after the war in Ukraine broke out.

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What challenges are war refugees from Ukraine facing in the Czech Republic? And how have their perceptions and behaviors changed more than two years after the start of the war in Ukraine? These questions are addressed in a research report published today by the organization Slovo 21.

Before we knew it, the 26th World Roma Festival is slowly drawing to a close.

Calling all fans of authentic Romani cimbalom music, czardas, dancers, and high-energy performances.

In response to a call for proposals, the Polish municipality of Aleksandrów Łódzki, together with more than ten European partners, has prepared a Network of Towns project proposal aimed at creating a platform to support innovative approaches to legislation.

We are exactly halfway through the festival! And there is still so much to look forward to.

A day full of laughter, stories, and unique music! That’s what Tuesday, May 28th, the third day of Khamoro, will be all about.

We haven't even had time to recover from the amazing party with Igor Kmeťo and Vanesa Horáková, and already the second day of Khamoro is upon us.

The annual celebration of Romani culture in all its forms is here. On Sunday, May 26, we are kicking off the 26th edition of the world's largest Romani festival.

Who are the foreigners living in the Czech Republic? The "We Are Not Strangers" project, run by the Slovo 21 association, seeks to answer this question. By providing high-quality and engaging information, the project aims to debunk the stereotypes and falsehoods about foreigners that persist in the public sphere.

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Unbridled flamenco with a modern twist, energetic Vlax Romani dances, Macedonian brass music, brilliant gypsy jazz, as well as film screenings and a gastronomic show. Khamoro will offer all this at the turn of May and June.

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We are celebrating our birthday. And there is plenty to celebrate! It hasn't always been easy, but for a quarter of a century, we have been helping those in need: Roma, foreigners, and for the last two years, Ukrainian refugees as well.

Family is the top priority for Roma people. This is the finding of a unique study published by the organization Slovo 21 on the occasion of International Roma Day. Last autumn, 100 Roma men and women from five selected locations across the Czech Republic participated in the survey. The data obtained can help the state and NGOs in planning activities aimed at the integration of Roma into Czech society.

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They often arrive in the Czech Republic from countries where they have experienced traumatic events, and leaving their homeland was rarely a voluntary choice. Holders of international protection are a specific group among foreigners in the Czech Republic who require additional support. Through our new project, Your New Home in the Czech Republic, we have been working since March to make their start in a new country easier, primarily by providing them with essential information.

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Another year of Family Next Door is here! Across the Czech Republic, dozens of Czech families will sit down at a set table with families of foreigners, even though they have never met before. We have been connecting people of different nationalities, religions, and customs this way for over twenty years. Join us too – sign up now.

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Over the next two years, a total of 800 civil servants, police officers, municipal police officers, and firefighters will undergo special training provided by the Slovo 21 organization. The program will help public administration and security personnel improve their communication skills when working with foreign nationals from third countries.

An interview with Abdel from Egypt, a graduate of the adaptation-integration course.

At Slovo 21, we do what we do best: helping those in need.

We are launching the We Are Not Strangers project to show who foreigners really are.

Do našeho týmu hledáme kreativního, komunikativního a spolehlivého člověka na pozici Marketing koordinátor.

"I never want to migrate!" That was the reaction of one teenager to our Hello Czech Republic workshop, where we talk to elementary school students about migration. We discuss what it’s like to be a refugee in a foreign country, without friends, extended family, or a favorite teacher. Last year, a total of 331 students went through the workshop, and we will continue these sessions this year.

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Svetlana never imagined she would face the fate of a refugee. But once it happened, she decided to face it with dignity.