Anastasia Chukovskaya
Roma appeared in Hungary in the 14th century. It is known from history that they performed for the Hungarian Queen Beatrice of Luxembourg. In the 16th century, Turks described Roma in Hungary as musicians, barbers, gunmen and soldiers. They were considered immigrants from Egypt for a long time, that is why in history books they were called Pharaoh's people.
In the 20th century, Roma found themselves in severe poverty and during World War II went through hell just like Jews. The Holocaust Memorial Center in Budapest has a separate section dedicated to Roma. Today, around 80 000 Roma live in Budapest, while the Roma population makes up 13 percent of Hungary. Debates about unemployment among them never stop in Hungary. Efforts are taken to fight against begging in the city's centre. The European Union issues a report on education every year. This is the only useful means so far.
Most of city's Roma live in the poorest area of the 8th district. The area is very colorful and dangerous at the same time. And still, it is worth visiting, at least the Roma Parliament. This is a non-profit institution which studies and promotes Romany culture. Hungarian Romany concerts are performed here along with exhibitions, lectures and film shows. The institution also seeks to formalize the politically correct ethnonym Roma meaning Hungarian Gypsies.
