The genocide of Roma and Sinti during the Second World War remains one of the most underrepresented and overlooked chapters in European and Holocaust history. To support educators in teaching this difficult yet essential topic, we recommend the ready-to-use lesson “Roma and Sinti Genocide”, created for secondary schools and history educators.
On the night of August 2–3, 1944, nearly 4,300 Roma—primarily women, children, and elderly people—were murdered in the so-called “Gypsy Family Camp” at Auschwitz-Birkenau. In memory of the victims, August 2 is now marked as Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, a day of commemoration, reflection, and awareness.
To help teachers bring this important history into the classroom, the “Roma and Sinti Genocide” lesson offers a variety of high-quality teaching materials, including:
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A clear historical overview of the persecution and genocide of Roma and Sinti under National Socialism
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An interactive map with biographies and case studies, revealing the discrimination Roma communities faced across Europe before the WWII
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A recorded webinar providing guidance on how to address this topic sensitively and effectively in the classroom
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Two impactful short video portraits of individual victims: Elina Machálkova and Johann “Rukeli” Trollmann
These educational tools foster critical thinking, historical empathy, and inclusive remembrance. As we reflect on the Roma Holocaust on August 2, we also emphasize the importance of giving space to Roma voices and stories in Holocaust education.
👉 Explore the free lesson and bring this vital topic into your classroom:
https://hi-storylessons.eu/lesson/roma-and-sinti-genocide/