Martin Fotta represented the ROCIT project at the XV RAM (Reunião de Antropologia do Mercosul – Meeting of Mercosur Anthropology), the largest anthropology congress in South America, held at the Federal University in Salvador between 4 and 8 August 2025. With more than 5,700 registered participants, RAM is the most significant anthropological gathering in the region.
At this prestigious event, Martin presented his paper “Mobilização para os marginalizados: O surgimento do humanitarismo cigano para ajudar os refugiados ciganos ucranianos” (“Mobilisation for the Marginalised: The Emergence of Roma Humanitarianism to Help Ukrainian Roma Refugees”). His talk highlighted a paradox: while Czechia was internationally praised for its generous reception of Ukrainian refugees, Romani refugees often faced systemic discrimination, segregation, and denial of support. In these circumstances, Czech Roma stepped in to provide food, shelter, and other essential assistance. Their actions both resisted exclusionary narratives and revealed their own vulnerable position in Czech society. Yet, this grassroots humanitarianism was shaped by political pressures, entrenched racial hierarchies, and uncertainty about long-term integration, underscoring its complexity and fragility.
Presenting at RAM offered a unique opportunity to share the ROCIT project’s findings with a broad international audience. Engaging with South American scholars and the public was especially important, as discussions in the region often overlook the imperial and ethno-racial dimensions underpinning Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
