At the time of the World War II and the genocide of the Roma which has done great harm in Lithuania have left traces of the Roma memory. In 1942, Nazi Germany occupied Lithuania on the beginning of the mass detention of Roma arrests, they were transported to concentration camps and work in Germany and France. Approximately, a thousand Roma people were deported from Lithuania, and most of them came back.

The Roma have been killed and in the territory of Lithuania. Most Roma were killed in Pravieniškės, as well as near Švenčionys, in Šalčininkai district. Evidence were found in documents, which show that the majority of Roma in Vilnius were killed in Kirtimai, and the number of victims is unknown. Nazi Germany’s occupation in Lithuania, killed at least 500 Roma, or roughly every third Lithuanian Roma. It is known, that Nazi killed families of Roma travellers which they meet on the road. However, it was not indicated in the reports and documents, and therefore supposed that this number may be higher.

Each year, on August 2, the Lithuanian Roma non-governmental organisations commemorate Roma holocaust day. Together with the Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania is seeking to include the August 2 day among other memorable days. It is proposed in order to promote an intercultural dialogue, increase the openness and tolerance of the society of Roma culture, with a view to a greater integration, mutual understanding, public education about Roma culture and history.

Link: http://www.romuplatforma.lt/en/holocaust/

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