One of the greatest challenges during the enlargement process of the European Union towards the east is how the issue of the Roma or Gypsies is tackled. This ethnic minority group represents a much higher share by numbers, too, in some regions going above 20% of the population. This enormous social and political problem cannot be solved without proper historical studies like this book, the most comprehensive history of Gypsies in Romania. It is based on academic research, synthesizing the entire historical Romanian and foreign literature concerning this topic, and using lot of information from the archives. The main focus is laid on the events of the greatest consequence. Special attention is devoted to aspects linked to the long history of the Gypsies, such as slavery, the process of integration and assimilation into the majority population, as well as the marginalization of Gypsies, which has historic roots. The process of emancipation of Gypsies in the mid-19th century receives due treatment. The deportation of Gypsies to Transnistria during the Antonescu regime, between 1942-1944, is reconstructed in a special chapter. The closing chapters elaborate on the policy toward Gypsies in the decades after the Second World War that explain for the latest developments and for the situation of this population in today's Romania.

About the Author
Viorel Achim is Senior Researcher, Nicolae Iorga Institute of History, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania

Reviews
"The Central European University Press is to be congratulated for publishing two outstanding scholarly analyses of the root causes of anti-Roma racism, which is rapidly taking center stage in the drama of the East European transition process. The books (Blood and Homeland and The Roma in Romanian History) fill a large gap in urgently needed knowledge. They may well become essential research tools for politicians and social and educational planning departments that are approaching the challenge of European integration. The books will be useful also for university courses in history, sociology, and politics, as well as Holocaust and genocide studies" * Transitions Online *
"This English-language edition may well become an essential research tool for politicians and social and educational planning departments grappling with the challenge of European integration" * Contemporary Review *
"This masterful study broadly expands our knowledge of the life, history, and customs of Romania's large, diverse Roma population... an essential source for anyone interested in the history, life, and culture of the Roma in southeastern Europe" * Slavic Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9789639241848
Author Viorel Achim
Format Hardback
Page Count 238
Imprint Central European University Press
Publisher Central European University Press
Weight(grams) 494g