"It was like being among our own!" Romani children from a children's home find role models and a sense of belonging to their community through their partnership with Slovo 21.
Slovo 21 has long been committed to supporting Romani children and youth on their journey through education and life. That is why we are so pleased with our ten-year partnership with the children's home in Česká Kamenice.
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Antigypsyism in the Czech Republic is not a thing of the past. It persists in institutions and politics, new research shows
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.
Even though they grow up without a family, they have dreams. Slovo 21 helps Romani children from children's homes
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.
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Project Praha společně 2025 (Prague Together 2025) is coming to an end. What did it bring to Prague residents and foreigners alike?
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.
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Podphandle mašľičkenca – Tied with Ribbons. Slovo 21 is publishing literary testimonies from Romani women regarding forced sterilizations.
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.
"Roma people need role models. I want to be one of them," says summer school participant Marlon Ferenc
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.
"I didn't want to work as a cleaner just because I'm a foreigner." An interview with Viktoriia Lytvynenko about her new home in the Czech Republic and more.
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.
When empathy helps: hundreds of officials, police officers, and firefighters are learning to communicate more effectively with foreigners thanks to Slovo 21
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.
"My granddaughter knows my mother was in a concentration camp." With Marcela Surmajová about a play written by life itself
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.
"Sit with us at our table!" This year on Americká, Family Next Door hosted visitors with food and stories from all corners of the world.
Slovo 21 loves those moments when people meet around a single table. That is why we made sure to be at this year’s Zažít Americkou jinak street festival, which transforms a Prague street into an open and friendly space every year. We brought along our long-running project, Family Next Door, and with it, some great food.
“The goal is to build a new generation, not individuals.” – With Jana Hejkrlíková about We Are On the Long Way
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.
"Nobody tells us Roma who we are." Sebastian describes his experience at the We Are On the Long Way summer school
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.
The Journey / Traces of Stories exhibition has arrived in Brno and on the Czech Television news.
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.