International Roma Day, which is celebrated annually on April 8 by representatives of this nation around the world, was established at the first World Roma Congress, held in London on April 8, 1971, which brought together representatives from 30 countries.
The congress also created the International Romani Union (IRU) and adopted national symbols: a flag and an anthem, which allowed the Roma of the world to recognize themselves as a single free nation. Currently, the IRU unites Roma public organizations from 42 countries.
It is believed that the first mention of gypsies dates back to 1501, when the gypsy leader Vasil received a safe conduct from the Lithuanian prince Alexander Kazimirovich.
Today the Roma population is approximately 18 million people; in Europe, about 10 million people consider themselves Roma. The geography of Roma settlement includes countries of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres: Albania, Romania, Moldova, Croatia, Argentina, Belarus, Canada, Brazil, Russia and other countries.
Experts identify six main branches of the Roma: three western and three eastern. Western ones include Roma (the self-name of the Gypsies), Sinti and Iberian Gypsies; The eastern group includes Luli, Lom and Dom. In addition, there are small Roma groups.
In Europe there are a number of ethnographic groups that are close in lifestyle to the Roma, however, of a different origin — in particular, the Irish Travelers, the Central European Yenish. Local authorities tend to view them as a type of Roma rather than as separate ethnic groups.
In the week that includes April 8, many countries host International Roma Festivals. They host photo exhibitions, film screenings, special classes in theatrical art, singing and dancing, and concerts.
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