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On the trail of the Sinti and Roma: exhibition opens in Munich
An exhibition will open in Neuhausen Munich on November 17th, 2025, which will shed light on the lives of Sinti and Roma, supplemented by historical and current photographs.
On the trail of the Sinti and Roma: exhibition opens in Munich
A remarkable exhibition is now being presented in the Neuhausen district center, which provides a deep insight into the life of Sinti and Roma in Germany. For this exciting photo report, the photographer Milly Orthen created impressive black and white photos that document the everyday life of Sinti and Roma families. These works were created in the course of the hunger strike in 1980 at the Dachau concentration camp memorial, the aim of which was to gain recognition for those persecuted by the Nazi regime. The exhibition is supplemented by current color photos that show the current life of the Sinti and Roma and offer visitors a valuable contrast. The Munich civil rights activist Uta Horstmann will also give a lecture that puts the topic in the social context. The opening has already taken place and the exhibition runs until December 19, 2025. The realities of life are also reflected and discussed in texts by Ursula Meisinger and the Sinti PowerClub.
A milestone of recognition
The history of the Sinti and Roma is tragic and often marked by discrimination. On March 17, 1982, a decisive step in the right direction was taken: Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt received a delegation from the newly founded Central Council of German Sinti and Roma in the Federal Chancellery. Through this encounter, the Holocaust of the 500,000 Sinti and Roma was recognized as binding under international law. Romani Rose, who led the delegation, underscored the significance of this recognition for the 40 years of civil rights work that followed. Over all the years, Sinti and Roma in Germany have fought hard for their rights, and recognition has resulted in the creation of the basis for political success. More and more people are actively campaigning against antigypsyism, which is necessary to reduce discrimination and promote respectful coexistence.
Social challenges
Despite this progress, Sinti and Roma still face challenges. Social discrimination has not been completely overcome; an anti-Gypsy enemy image has become established. Since 1998, Sinti and Roma have been recognized as a national minority, and there are national monuments, such as the one in Berlin, which commemorates the Sinti and Roma murdered under the Nazi regime. But the road to full equality is still long. Experts are calling for a scientific review and consideration of the approaches of the Independent Expert Commission on Antigypsyism, which has published reports that address the most urgent issues.
In Munich, social debate on this issue has a long tradition. The exhibition in the Neuhausen district center not only offers a visual insight into the lives of Sinti and Roma, but is also an invitation to everyone to actively engage with the challenges and history of this minority. It represents a contribution to raising awareness and education and could help to reduce prejudices and create a better understanding of each other.
Overall, it shows that the life of the Sinti and Roma, despite the difficult past, has a dynamic and diverse present. The exhibition is a valuable platform to make this part of society more visible and to strengthen the voice of the Sinti and Roma.
For more information about the exhibition, please visit the website Photo hits or that Sinti and Roma Documentation Center.