On January 24, 2025, the Museum of History of Catalonia hosted a significant conference organized by Roma student associations to commemorate 600 years since the first official mention of Roma people on the Iberian Peninsula. The event brought together historians, policymakers, and cultural leaders to reflect on the historical roots of antigypsyism, its continuing impact today, and the role of democratic memory policies in promoting justice, inclusion, and recognition for the Roma community. Through lectures, panel discussions, and expert insights, the conference provided a platform to examine both the historical and contemporary challenges facing Roma people, while highlighting ongoing efforts to ensure their cultural and social rights are respected and upheld.

The event began with a welcome address by Jordi Principal, Director of the Museum of History of Catalonia, and Pedro Casermeiro, Coordinator of Rromane Siklǒvne. Principal emphasized the museum’s mission to “serve as a space for preserving the collective memory of Catalan society, while also functioning as a venue for civic dialogue and reflection.” He highlighted the importance of building a museum that is “open to participation and sensitive to the representation of all communities.” Principal also announced plans for a major upcoming exhibition dedicated to recognizing and valuing the history and memory of the Roma people, set to open in June and remain on display for nearly a year.

Simón Montero, President of the Federation of Roma Associations of Catalonia (FAGIC), which collaborated on the event, underscored the opportunities that memory-based policies offer to “advance toward a more just, inclusive society free of discrimination.” Montero noted that “these 600 years have not only been times of hardship, but also of cultural contributions and resistance that define our people.” He emphasized the ongoing nature of this work, stating, “Efforts toward memory, justice, and reparations start here, but they cannot remain confined to a single day. We must continue collaborating to ensure that future generations can live with dignity, rights, equality, and without barriers.”

The conference then featured a colloquium with historians Carolina García, Director of the Department of Contemporary History at the University of Seville, and Anna Carballo, a PhD candidate at the Department of Contemporary History at the University of Barcelona. Their discussion examined the historical construction of antigypsyism, its evolution during the Franco dictatorship, and its lingering effects into modern democratic Spain. García stressed that antigypsyism predates the Franco era, highlighting the role of 19th-century scientific and social institutions in framing Roma as socially dangerous. Carballo compared measures in Nazi Germany and Francoist Spain, noting the long-term institutionalization of discriminatory practices that shaped contemporary marginalization.

The second panel focused on practical approaches for addressing Roma challenges through democratic memory policies. Participants included Susana Martínez, Member of the Catalan Parliament; Sara Belveida, Commissioner for Citizen Relations and Cultural and Religious Diversity of the Barcelona City Council; and Ana Mirga-Kruszelnicka, Deputy Director of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC). Martínez emphasized that such policies must be grounded in truth, justice, and reparations, addressing the historical roots of antigypsyism and safeguarding the rights of Roma people today. Belveida highlighted the role of education and culture in ensuring historical recognition, while Mirga stressed the importance of creating Roma-led cultural infrastructure to foster new narratives and combat entrenched prejudices.

The conference concluded with a dynamic debate among participants, reinforcing democratic memory policies as a key tool in advancing equality for the Roma community. The event was part of the broader European project ‘Jekhipen,’ which brings together Roma organizations from multiple countries to promote policies based on truth, justice, and reparations. The day’s proceedings underscored the importance of historical reflection and the collective effort required to build a more inclusive and equitable society for the Roma population.