“Echoes of the Past: The Roma Holocaust in Banat”

Project Journal – Echoes from the Past: The Roma Holocaust in Banat

1st Activity: Opening Workshop

The project Echoes from the Past: The Roma Holocaust in Banat officially began with an opening workshop where students were introduced to the project’s theme. Representatives from the Intercultural Institute participated, presenting the objectives and importance of studying the Holocaust. This session provided students with a foundation for their research and creative activities, helping them understand the historical and social relevance of the topic.

2nd Activity: Visit to the Periodicals Section

Students visited the Periodicals Section of the Sorin Titel County Library in Timișoara to explore historical newspapers from World War II. This visit was crucial for their research on the Holocaust of the Roma in Banat, as they searched for articles related to the Roma population during that time. Additionally, they watched a documentary about the Roma Holocaust, further deepening their understanding of the topic.

3rd Activity: Meeting with the President of the Jewish Community

Students had the opportunity to meet Luciana Friedman, President of the Jewish Community in Timișoara. She shared insights into the history and experiences of the Jewish population in the city, as well as contemporary challenges. The meeting helped students develop a more personal and emotional connection to the subject, fostering empathy and awareness of past and present issues faced by Jewish communities.

4th Activity: Guided Tour of Jewish Neighborhoods

A guided tour of Timișoara’s Jewish neighborhoods was organized, led by Alexandra Irimia, a certified guide. Students visited the Synagogue in the Cetate district and the headquarters of the Jewish community, learning about the Jewish presence in Timișoara over the centuries. They heard historical stories that connected the past to the present, offering them a deeper understanding of the local Jewish heritage.

5th Activity: Screening of a Holocaust Film

To complement their historical research, students watched Schindler’s List, a powerful cinematic representation of the Holocaust. The film provided a deeper emotional and ethical perspective on the horrors of genocide, human resilience, and moral courage. This experience helped students reflect on the consequences of intolerance and discrimination.

6th Activity: Purchasing Materials for the Project

To support the final outcomes of the project—an exhibition of drawings and a series of podcasts—students were provided with drawing materials, books about the Holocaust, and electronic equipment. These resources allowed them to creatively express their knowledge and insights while producing meaningful artistic and digital content that raises awareness about the Holocaust.

7th Activity: Discussion on Combating Hate Speech
Students took part in a powerful and meaningful discussion on combating hate speech and promoting tolerance. The event featured two distinguished guests: the President of the Jewish Community of Timișoara and the President of the Roma Party in Timișoara. During the session, students explored the real-life impact of hate speech and discrimination, both past and present, particularly against Jewish and Roma communities. The speakers shared personal insights, historical context, and examples of resilience, while also encouraging open dialogue and critical thinking about prejudice, stereotypes, and social responsibility. The activity aimed to raise awareness among young people about the importance of standing up against hate, embracing diversity, and fostering respect in their communities.

8th Activity: Participation in the Exhibition “Press Culture – Aggressive Language in the Interwar Press”
Students participated in the exhibition, which presented newspapers and political cartoons from the interwar period. The materials illustrated how the press often employed aggressive, nationalist, and discriminatory language—tools that later played a significant role in spreading antisemitic and racist ideologies across Europe. Through this historical lens, students explored how media discourse in the years leading up to World War II contributed to creating a climate of intolerance that enabled persecution, particularly against Jews and Roma.

9th Activity: The Deportation of the Roma, Between Document and Testimony 
Students participated in an online meeting with historian Viorel Achim, a leading researcher on the deportation of Roma to Transnistria during 1942–1944. Drawing on archival documents from Odessa and personal testimonies, Mr. Achim presented both official records and egodocuments that revealed the tragic experiences of the Roma under the Antonescu regime. The session allowed students to engage directly with primary sources, ask critical questions, and reflect on the mechanisms of discrimination and the long silence surrounding the Roma Holocaust. This activity deepened their understanding of historical injustice while reinforcing the project’s goal of bringing overlooked narratives into public memory.

10th Activity: The Past That Concerns Us – How to Build an Exhibition about the Holocaust
In an interactive educational event, museum curator Marius Cornea guided students through the process of designing a Holocaust exhibition. Drawing from his professional experience, he explained principles for creating an exhibition that is historically accurate, respectful, and impactful. The session highlighted ethical responsibilities in presenting Holocaust history, the value of survivor testimonies, the careful use of archival materials, and the role of museums in shaping public memory. Students gained insight into how historical truth, emotional impact, and educational purpose must be balanced in curatorial work.

11th Activity: Beyond the Camera – How a Message Is Built
As part of the preparations for creating the project podcast, students visited Television Timișoara to explore the behind-the-scenes of a professional TV studio. They learned about lighting, teleprompters, video cameras, and editing, gaining practical insight into media production. This hands-on experience was directly linked to the project’s theme—the Roma Holocaust—helping students prepare to record materials based on survivor testimonies. By acquiring media skills, they learned how to transform personal stories into powerful public messages that preserve memory and combat forgetting.

12th Activity: Memory and Absence – A Lesson from Szeged
Students took part in an educational visit to the Neolog Synagogue in Szeged, Hungary, one of the largest in Central Europe. On the way, they stopped in Arad at the Francisc Neuman Stadium, honoring Baron Francisc von Neuman for his contributions to the community and his efforts to support Jews during difficult times. In Szeged, students explored a temporary exhibition dedicated to the Sephardic Jews of Bucharest, a chapter of Jewish history that opened discussions about the Holocaust of the Roma. The absence of similar memorial spaces for Roma victims encouraged reflection on the importance of representation and recognition for all persecuted communities. The visit challenged students to think about both presence and absence—visible monuments and exhibits, but also forgotten voices such as the Roma deported to Transnistria. Afterward, a guided tour of central Szeged introduced them to significant monuments and buildings, highlighting the diverse communities that shaped the city. This offered a broader cultural and historical perspective, complementing the educational experience at the synagogue.