World Romani Day Special Interview: "Writing Our Own Story"

April 8, World Romani Day is observed in memory of the First International Romani Congress held in London in 1971. It is a day dedicated to honoring Romani culture, music, and history, while simultaneously aiming to raise awareness about the discrimination and social challenges faced by the community. Representing a historical turning point where the international Romani flag and anthem were adopted, this special day also serves as a global solidarity platform conveying messages of equality, brotherhood, and cultural diversity.

In Türkiye, following a circular issued in 2021, April 8 has begun to be officially celebrated as "World Romani Day." On this meaningful day, usually marked by festivals and panels, we held an interview regarding the exceptional mission of the Tekirdağ Educated and University Graduate Romani Association, a pioneering organization in both Türkiye and Europe, with its Founding President, Eyüp Sürücüler.

Question: Mr. Sürücüler, first of all, could we get to know you and your association a little better?

Eyüp Sürücüler: Hello, I am Eyüp Sürücüler. I am 37 years old, married, and a father of two. I completed my education by graduating from two universities in Business Administration and Management Information Systems. I have been working within the Trakya Development Agency for approximately 11 years.

We founded the Tekirdağ Educated and University Graduate Romani Association on April 8, World Romani Day, in 2022, together with my fellow role-model friends who are also university graduates. Our aim is to ensure that Romani youth who have completed their education and acquired professions serve as living examples (role models) for the school-aged children in our neighborhoods.

Question: What was the primary motivation that led you to establish this association?

Eyüp Sürücüler: The biggest factor was that we had "saved ourselves." When 5 or 6 of us started this journey, we faced immense difficulties; doors were closed in our faces, and we grew weary until we found employment. We said to ourselves: we have reached a certain point, now it is the next generation's turn. A person must first save themselves to be able to extend a hand to others. We expanded this chain with friends who followed us and achieved success in various professions, including watchmen, police officers, imams, mapping technicians, and hospital staff. Our goal is to spread this awareness, starting from Tekirdağ, to the rest of Türkiye.

Continuity in Education and Social Projects

Question: What kind of work have you done regarding the integration of Romani children into education?

Eyüp Sürücüler: In the past, we carried out very valuable projects with the Tekirdağ Süleymanpaşa Municipality and the Development Agency. Specifically, within the scope of the "Educating Cities Platform," we worked with 150 students; we succeeded in placing 110 of them into high-quality Anatolian High Schools. To keep the children connected to school, we provided them with opportunities they couldn't find there:

• Modern Training: We provided lessons in robotic coding and mental arithmetic.

• Social Activities: We organized Istanbul trips and museum visits.

• Psychological Support: We made them feel special by showing the affection and attention they might not receive from their families. In this way, we reduced school absenteeism to as low as 10%.

Question: In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle Romani people face in their educational lives?

Eyüp Sürücüler: Unfortunately, the biggest issues are the economic status and educational awareness of the families. When there is no peace or there is financial struggle at home, the child cannot focus on school. Therefore, I emphasize on every platform: 4-6 age pre-school education is of vital importance for Romani children. The stronger the foundation is laid, the sooner we can prevent issues like early marriage and substance abuse.

Institutional Activities and Future Vision

Question: What are the prominent official activities of the association to date?

Eyüp Sürücüler: Our association gained an institutional identity in a short time and signed off on many activities:

• International Representation: We participated in the Türkiye National Agency Eurodesk meeting held in Bursa.

• Academic Collaborations: We conducted survey studies focusing on Romai people in the Aydoğdu Neighborhood of Tekirdağ within the scope of Hacettepe University and TÜBİTAK.

• EU Projects: We took active roles in projects fighting against early marriage and promoting community leadership.

• Institutional Visits: We carried out joint programs and interviews with the Directorate of Family and Social Services.

Question: Could you tell us about your work for Romani women?

Eyüp Sürücüler: In Romani society, the education of women is the key point for the transformation of the family. The entrepreneurial women, boutique owners, and municipal employees among them are very valuable role models for us. In the future, we very much want to plan a symposium that will address the issues of our women (early marriage, school dropout, etc.) at an academic level.

Future Vision: A Visible Society Free from Discrimination

Question: What is the ultimate goal of the association? And finally, what would you like to say to Romani youth?

Eyüp Sürücüler: Our dream is for Romani society to be recognized not just for the negativity it experiences, but for the doctors, engineers, police officers, and artists it raises—in other words, for its inspiring role models. We want Romani people to be visible at every level of society.

My message to my young siblings is this: No matter what negativity you encounter, never give up on yourselves. Stand tall and continue to study. We are here; we continue to be your greatest support and guides.