The Vice Mayor of Madrid, Inma Sanz, accompanied by the delegate for Social Policies, Family, and Equality, José Fernández, has closed the institutional event on the occasion of the Day of Madrid Gypsies, which has been celebrated every May 24th since 2016 and this year is dedicated to commemorating the 600 years since the arrival of the Gypsy people in Spain. «The Gypsy legacy cannot be separated from the history of our country,» stated the Vice Mayor, in the presence of representatives from various Gypsy organizations.
Sanz emphasized that the contributions of the Gypsies to the language, art, and customs of Madrid are not a thing of the past and called for an end to inequality in education, employment, and other areas: «We remember the discrimination suffered and celebrate the shared commitment to eradicate it,» she affirmed.
This event is part of the Government team’s commitment to diversity, social inclusion, and rejection of intolerance. This commitment translates into actions aimed at highlighting the role of Gypsy women, improving the educational levels of young Gypsies, and breaking the cycle of poverty, among others. In 2024, more than 4,200 people participated in these programs proposed by the City Council in collaboration with other entities. The City Council also provides specific grants to Gypsy associations.
During the event, attendees listened to the manifesto of the Artemisa Network, a poem by Noelia Cortés as a sample of Gypsy cultural heritage, and a performance of Gelem Gelem, the international Gypsy anthem, by various artists, as well as testimonies from young Gypsies with higher education. /
