On July 28, 2025, ahead of the International Roma Genocide Remembrance Day, Kyiv’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the second lecture in the “Diplomacy of Memory” initiative—an educational collaboration between the Ministry and the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve.

Opening the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya remarked:

“Our guiding principle remains constant: Ukraine cannot tolerate 'white spots' in its history, nor permit manifestations of intolerance on ethnic or religious grounds.”

He also underscored the importance of systematic efforts—both at the national and international level—to honor victims of Nazism and to develop a robust culture of memory in Ukraine.

The lecture titled “Genocide of Ukraine’s Roma: History and Memory” was delivered by Holocaust researcher and Romani history specialist Mykhailo Tyahlyi of the Ukrainian Center for Holocaust Studies. Tyahlyi illuminated the broader historical context of the Roma genocide, long marginalized in public awareness. He detailed Nazi policies targeting Roma communities in occupied Ukrainian territories, presented examples of mass executions, and examined the current state of remembrance efforts.

Darya Herasymchuk, Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights and Rehabilitation—and a member of the Romani community—emphasized the crucial role of Roma voices in societal unity:

“If we fail to preserve this memory, we cannot fully unite Ukrainian society, which includes diverse nationalities who identify as Ukrainians.”

Roza Tapanova, Director of the Babyn Yar Memorial Reserve, stressed:

“We must establish traditions to ensure this is spoken about—so on August 2, it is vital to honor the memory of Roma genocide victims.”

She also announced the opening of a major exhibition, “Invisible. Resilience: Past and Present of the Roma,” launching on August 2, 2025, at the Living Memory Exhibition Center, where it will remain on display through September 7.

Exhibition curators Volodymyr Yakovenko and Nataliya Tomenko—founders of the youth-led Roma Advocacy Agency ARKA—highlighted the Roma community’s contributions:

“The Roma community actively participates in building modern Ukraine, its European future, and in national defense. Recognizing their historical and contemporary contributions, and cultivating the potential of Roma youth, are essential steps toward a just and inclusive society.”

This event is part of the broader Diplomacy of Memory program launched in May 2025, a joint effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Babyn Yar Memorial. The initiative aims to offer regular educational programming for Ukrainian diplomats—strengthening the role of the diplomatic service in preserving memory and communicating historical truth during wartime.