Words that connect
The Romani language is an important part of Roma heritage. Learning it and passing it on supports cultural continuity.
Culture & heritage · Republic of Moldova
A living culture.
A shared
heritage.
Discover Roma culture in the Republic of Moldova and its ties with communities across the region — through language, traditions, symbols and shared histories.
Explore the traditionsRoots. Expression. Continuity.Part of Moldova's cultural diversity
An invitation to learn
Culture begins
with closeness.
Getting to know a culture opens space for dialogue, respect and curiosity.
01 / About
Roma culture is part of the cultural heritage of the Republic of Moldova and of Europe's shared cultural heritage.
Roma communities bring together groups with distinct histories and traditions. Language, customs and belonging can change across regions and generations. Starting from Moldova, this site explores that diversity and the connections that reach beyond borders.
02 / Cultural expressions
Traditions that
carry the story on.
Language, art and customs keep the link with the past and take on new meanings in the present.
Expression and rhythm
Music and dance are forms of cultural expression. Performances and intercultural gatherings are a chance to discover them.
Skills handed down
The history of traditional trades and heritage objects offers a view into the life and cultural exchanges of the past.
Living memory
Holidays, stories and local cuisine keep family memories alive. Traditions are passed on and transformed from one generation to the next.
These themes are invitations to explore. They do not define the occupations, choices or way of life of all Roma. For context and further reading, see the resources below.
03 / Romani čhib
A language with
roots in India.
Romani belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family. Its vocabulary keeps traces of the long journey: Persian, Armenian, Greek, Slavic and Romanian words.
Romperson, man; the name the communities use for themselves
Romani čhibthe Romani language
Phralbrother; related to similar words in the languages of India
Te aven baxtale!“May you be happy!” — a greeting
Romani has many dialects, and spelling and pronunciation vary between communities. In the Republic of Moldova many Roma also speak Romanian, Russian or other languages of the region; some communities speak Romanian at home.
04 / Shared symbols
A flag,
an anthem, a day.
- The flag
The blue of the sky and the green of the earth, with a red 16-spoked wheel (chakra) — a reminder of the Indian origin and the long road travelled. Adopted at the First World Romani Congress in 1971.
- The anthem
“Gelem, Gelem” — lyrics by Žarko Jovanović, set to a folk melody. It recalls the roads travelled and the suffering of the Second World War.
- 8 April
The date of the 1971 Congress, marked as International Roma Day.
05 / Continue exploring
Two paths
to explore.
The history of Roma communities, explained on interactive maps, and our Association's work in research and heritage promotion.
HISTORY · INTERACTIVE MAPS
Open the page
Roma history and ethnic groups
From the departure from India to the first documents of the Principality of Moldavia. Communities in Moldova and across the former Soviet space, on the map.
THE ASSOCIATION
Open the page
The Association's work
Ethnographic research, oral history, education and cultural events. How you can work with us.
08
April · Every year
A moment to celebrate
International
Roma Day.
A day dedicated to Roma identity, culture and rights. In the Republic of Moldova it is marked by educational and cultural initiatives that encourage knowledge and dialogue.
Read about the cultural and educational initiatives (in Romanian)06 / Keep discovering
More knowledge.
More closeness.
Resources to explore Roma history, language and culture, in Moldova and in a European context.
01
History and culture of the Roma in the Republic of MoldovaMinistry of Education and Research · Curriculum, 2024 · PDF in Romanian
02Culture, education and the Romani languageCouncil of Europe · Cultural and educational resources · In English
03Dosta! — knowledge and dialogueCouncil of Europe · Campaign in the Republic of Moldova
Discover. Listen. Share.
Start with a book, a conversation or a cultural event. Closeness grows when we make room for other people's stories and experiences.