Stand Up Roma

2026-07-22

Roma are the biggest ethnic minority in Europe and also the most vulnerable one. The Roma perspective and self-representation is missing from mainstream culture and education, although Roma dramas and stories have the potential of empowering Roma communities and raising awareness among the majority regarding Roma communities. Young Roma theater artists many times face discrimination – also in theatrical education, where they are rarely admitted. We - Roma theaters, who have been cooperating with each other for several years, produced numerous plays and performances and developed young talented people – will train young Roma artists in order that they can create one (wo)man shows and performances involving more performers. The performances will be inspired by their own personal stories, with documentary and fictional elements by the use of comic forms and narratives (e.g. stand up comedy and commedia dell’arte) as humor helps to communicate the serious challenges and issues many Roma people face, and foster critical thinking, mutual understanding and interethnic connections. These are key factors of social inclusion and resilience of European societies in a more efficient way than the homogenous sad and dramatic art forms and narratives. During the national and transnational trainings and productions the capacities and networks of the young artists will develop. The shows will be presented both on national and international level for Roma audiences who hardly see theater performances and for non-Roma audiences who rarely encounter with Roma stories and perspectives. The performances will be followed by discussions in order to foster empowerment, critical thinking, mutual understanding and social inclusion. As the plays and performances will be translated and video recorded they will be available for wider audiences and for the next generations as parts of the European cultural heritage in the Roma Heroes Digital Collection of European Roma Theater and Drama.

Romania

2025-10-15