International Roma Day marked on 8 April is devoted to Europe’s largest ethnic minority, the Roma

With an estimated total population of 10 to 12 million, out of which 6 million are EU citizens, Roma Day is an opportunity to honor the diversity, culture, art, language, and contributions of the Roma community to European history and society.
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The Roma are Europe’s largest minority community – with 6 million Roma living in the EU and 4 million in the enlargement region (Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Türkiye, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia). The World Romani Union and the Council of Europe estimate that there are around 400,000 Roma living in Ukraine.
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8 April marks the anniversary of the First World Romani Congress held in Chelsfield near London on 7–12 April 1971. This event called for Roma self-determination and international unity for the first time ever. As a milestone for Roma political organisation and rights advocacy movement, a Roma flag, and the anthem ‘Gelem, Gelem’ was presented as symbols of unity, dignity and identity.
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To celebrate International Roma Day (8 April), the Council of Europe organises Opre Roma! month from 1 to 30 April 2025, to raise awareness and highlight the challenges faced by Roma and Travellers in Europe.