Ivatts: Roma Cultural Routes Project Attacks "The Cancer Of Race Hatred"

Promoting Roma culture “is the chemotherapy to attack the cancer cells of discrimination, prejudice and race hatred,” according to British education expert Arthur Ivatts OBE.

In an interview with the Council of Europe, the anthropologist and former HM Inspector for Roma and Traveller Education, shatters many of the education and culture myths about Roma communities.

Ahead of the Council of Europe's 20 October ministerial Roma summit, he describes “the shameful picture” of inequality and injustice which confronts Roma and Travellers' families wishing to educate their children.

Ivatts explains the history of anti-Roma racism and underlines the importance of the Roma Cultural Routes project and the contribution it would make to boosting the achievement of Roma children.

He said the project is a means of “embellishing the curriculum with proud and affirmative images of the culture and background of Roma children so that they could feel proud and not intimidated by fear and racist ridicule.”

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Launch Of Roma Cultural Route

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Can Culture Project Really Help Roma?

Cypriot Art Exhibition Brings Greek-Turkish Reconciliation To Heart Of Europe

Artists Andreas Makariou and Ümit Inatçi marked the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' independence with their 'Signs And icons' exhibition at the Council of Europe on 5 October.


The Cypriot showcase, inspired by greats such as Max Ernst, Hans Bellmer and Salvador Dali, is a collaborative exercise reflecting the cooperation between Greek and Turkish communities on the divided island.

The exhibition will be on display for a further two days.

Route of Roma Culture and Heritage

“It is incredible that after centuries of living in Europe, so little is known about Roma people and their culture.”

The words of a Council of Europe spokesman go some way to understanding the ambitions that lie at the heart of the Route of Roma Culture and Heritage.

The project aims to increase knowledge about Roma history, culture, values and lifestyle and to encourage greater respect and a move away from some common stereotypes about Roma people.

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