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Source: rawpixel.com via Freepik Each language is an important element of the cultural diversity of the world, because it conveys the unique knowledge, traditions and way of thinking of the people. This is especially true for minority languages, which often face the threat of extinction under the influence of globalization and dominant cultures.
The International Day of the Roma Language, celebrated on the 5th of November, is a event aimed at drawing attention to the preservation and development of the Roma language, and with it, the rich cultural heritage of the Roma people.
In 2009, in Zagreb, Croatia, during the World Symposium on Standardization and Codification of the Roma Language, a proposal was put forward to recognize the International Day of the Roma Language. In 2015, UNESCO proclaimed November 5 as World Day of Romani Language.
Dozens of scientific conferences dedicated to the Romani language are held around the world every year. For example, in September of this year, Vienna hosted the largest conference of researchers from around the world this year - The International Conference on Romani Linguistics (ICRL), which has already become the 16th in its history.
Textbooks and dictionaries of the Roma language are currently being created, scientific manuals are being defended, and creative evenings are being organized to promote literature created or translated into the Roma language. Language is not just a means of communication, it carries a unique cultural identity and historical memory of the people. For the Roma, preserving the language is an important step towards preserving their unique culture and traditions.
On this day, Roma communities around the world who understand and use the Romani language to a greater or lesser extent and organizations cooperating with them hold events to raise awareness about the Roma and Romani language. Such activities on this day contribute to the popularization of the Roma language, its inclusion in educational programs and the media. The celebrations include cultural festivals, readings of poetry and prose in the Roma language, lectures and discussions on the history and modernity of the Roma people. It helps to break stereotypes, overcome prejudices and create conditions for equality and respect in a multinational society. The support of the Roma language contributes to the strengthening of the rights of the Roma people at the national and international levels, as well as contributes to their full integration into modern society.
Of course, when focusing attention on the Romani language, we must not forget that a large number of members of the Romani community, including the vast majority of Roma living in Croatia, as a result of historical circumstances do not understand and do not use the Romani language, but rather other languages that they have developed through history, such as the Bayash language and/or the languages of the majority population with which the Roma have historically lived.
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