Bucharest, Romania – April 8th, 2024
On International Roma Day, the Roma Education Fund Romania together with Bucharest City Hall officially unveiled the Nicolae Gheorghe Square, located at the intersection of Sfinții Apostoli and Dr. Paul Orleanu streets in Sector 4 of the Romanian Capital.
The event was graced by Nicolae Gheorghe’s family members, delegates from the UK and German embassies, close friends, devoted followers of Nicolae, and representatives from various Roma communities within the country.
In his introductory speech, Dr. Ciprian Necula, President of the Roma Education Fund, highlighted the aspirations and dreams of sociologist Nicolae Gheorghe.
“Nicolae wanted the Roma to coexist in peace, solidarity and empathy; to prosper economically and socially; to be able to assert their cultural particularities. He wanted the Romani language to be perpetuated and become not only a language of communication between Roma, but one that expresses the Roma identity and spirit in universal literature. He imagined Roma having a voice that mattered to public administrations, that Romaphobia and prejudices would be diminished. And he knew that education was extremely important to collective success”.
Throughout his career, Nicolae distinguished himself with unwavering moral fortitude, relentless dedication, and boundless energy. His efforts were instrumental in acknowledging the Roma as a national minority. The tribute to Nicolae Gheorghe and his tireless advocacy for human rights marks a pivotal moment in the historical reconciliation between the Roma minority and the majority population.
“Nicolae Gheorghe deserves to be recognized today, tomorrow and in time. Future generations will know who laid the foundations of the Roma movement and who fought for their recognition as a national minority as well as for the respect of human rights in Romania and internationally” – Ana Gheorghe, the eldest daughter.
In his speech, Mr. Nicușor Dan, the General Mayor of the Capital, emphasized the significance of having role models like Nicolae Gheorghe in today’s society.
“It is a gesture of recognition for a personality who was one of the great voices in his specialized field. (…) Romania needs models and individuals who dedicate their lives to goodness and to their fellow human beings”.
The President of the Roma for Europe Foundation, Mr. Zeljko Jovanovic, highlighted the role of Nicolae Gheorghe as a mediator between generations and cultures.
“Nicolae was a bridge between the generations of activists before him and us who are younger than his generation. It was a bridge between Roma from different countries and also a bridge between Romanians and Roma. Today’s event marks an important moment because in Bucharest today there is a bridge between Roma from different countries, between generations, between different ideas and also a bridge over time because his visions were very advanced.”
This initiative represents not only a historic step for the Roma community but also for the entire Romanian society. It reaffirms the values of equality, inclusion, and recognition of individual merits, regardless of ethnic origin.
Furthermore, this effort should serve as inspiration for other national and local institutions. It is crucial to acknowledge the contributions of Roma people to the development of Romanian society, laying the groundwork for genuine social cohesion and supporting the healthy, harmonious growth of a young Roma generation in need of role models and sources of inspiration.
Nicolae Gheorghe Square, an initiative by the Roma Education Fund Romania together with the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), REDI – Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative and Roma for Democracy Romania, supported by the Mayor Nicușor Dan and unanimously voted by General Council of the Municipality of Bucharest.
