The Djelem Djelem Festival is Germany’s largest festival dedicated to Roma culture. Each year it brings together thousands of visitors in Dortmund through a diverse programme of music, exhibitions, workshops, film screenings and discussions that create spaces for encounter, empowerment and political education. The Roma Center is one of the key organising partners of the festival and plays a central role in shaping its programme. In 2026, the organisation will curate and implement several events and contribute significantly to the festival’s production. Among the highlights is the central music festival on 12 September, presenting artists from Roma communities across different genres – from traditional Balkan influences to political hip-hop. In addition, the Roma Center will organise an exhibition on the Nazi persecution of Roma in occupied Soviet Union, workshops on Roma history and representation in popular culture, and film screenings with discussions on citisenship and political rights. Through these formats, the project strengthens the visibility of Roma communities, promotes critical historical awareness and fosters dialogue between communities and the wider public.