According to historical data, up to 50% of Roma were exterminated in the USSR, including Ukraine, during the German occupation (1941-1944). Nazi Germany pursued a policy of “eradicating” the Roma because it considered them a threat to the “purity of the Aryan nation.”

Transcarpathia was part of Hungary, which pursued a similar policy to Germany as an ally in World War II. Hungarian Roma policy was linked to the destruction of anti-social elements, including Roma.

Hungary’s anti-Roma policies allowed for violations of Roma rights, discrimination, and forced labor. In March 1944, when German troops entered Hungary, the persecution of Roma intensified.

In Transcarpathia, they were taken en masse to labor detachments, created Roma ghettos, and forced to wear identification badges in some settlements. Preparations for the forced deportation also began, but unlike the deportation of Jews, were not successful.

For several months, we traveled to different parts of Transcarpathia, where Roma live, and found witnesses to the events of Porajmos in Transcarpathia and their descendants, who agreed to share their memories.

1) Tyrpak (Reipash) Anna Pavlivna (Bukovtsi village, born in 1941)

… The father said that one day, the Roma were put in a row, both old and young, and the pregnant woman was alone. The Germans shot them… ».

Watch the video interview here:

2) Botko Edik (Uzhhorod, born in 1942)

«…My sister’s husband said that the Germans caught someone, lined him up near the Latorytsia River and shot him. But he jumped into the water. He was shot in the water. When he got out of the river, he bandaged his wound. He survived… ».

Watch the video interview here:

3) Dani Tibor Yosypovych (Uzhhorod, born in 1940)

«…We ate bran, my mother cooked potato dumplings and put bran, then we ate… ».

Watch the video interview here:

4) Tyrpak Anna Vasylivna (Rodnikovka village, born in 1940)

“One Roma was taken by the Germans, tied with ropes, we all stood and cried, released him very beaten… In Svalyava we were told Roma were beaten, killed, cut their hair…”

Watch the video interview here:

5) Balog Olena Fedorivna (Svalyava city, born in 1938)

“… My mother got up in the morning, we were all beaten with boots. The German told us to shut up when he raped my mother. All the children cried … “.

Watch the video interview here:

6) Balint Matviy (town of Svalyava, mother was born in 1937, father in 1933)

“… Men from the age of 14 were taken to forced labor. There was a forest colony nearby, where they forcibly processed wood. Roma were forced to do dirty, hard work… ».

Watch the video interview here:

7) Gayosh Helena (city of Mukachevo, born in 1923)

“… On the other side lived German officers. One night an officer came, we had three children with my mother in bed. He pulled out a gun, took his mother by the neck and took her somewhere… ».

Watch the video interview here:

8) Balog Erzhika (Mukachevo city, born in 1940)

“… My mother said that one evening a big soldier came into the house and wanted to take her away. My father’s sister was in the house and said that she would leave so that her mother would not be touched, because she was ill and had children … “.

Watch the video interview here:

9) Horvat Ludwig (Mukachevo, born in 1944)

“My grandfather returned from the camp, and so did my father. Some returned, some died in the camp, some were shot… “.

Watch the video interview here:

10) Balog Iren Mikloshivna (city of Mukachevo, born in 1938)

“… They were making fun of me. They wanted to take away the young women. They never left the house. Women, in order not to be beautiful, smeared their faces with soot … “.

Watch the video interview here:

11) Teifel Yolana Yosypivna (city of Mukachevo, born in 1942)

“… We starved, gathered grass, mixed it with cornmeal and ate it…”.

Watch the video interview here:

12) Papa Yuliya Andriivna (Beregovo, mother was born in 1927)

“… My mother was ten years old, she had beautiful yellow hair, she was a beautiful girl, her hair was cut…”.

Watch the video interview here:

13) Olag Rosalia (Beregovo, born in 1938)

“… My father, his brother and nephew were taken to the camp …”.

Watch the video interview here:

14) Салко Ельвіра (місто Чоп, 1943 року народження)

 «…Ромів забирали у вагони, хотіли спалити… Жінок, чоловіків і дітей, всіх… ».

Watch the video interview here:

15) Botko Maria (town of Chop, born in 1945)

“… Many Roma were taken in wagons as Jews, taken to Helmentsy (Czechoslovakia), stopped there…”.

Watch the video interview here:

Prepared with the support of the Foundation for Memory, Responsibility and Future (EVZ) / Developped with the support provided by the Foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future”.

This publication does not reflect the official position and opinion of the EVZ Foundation. The author (s) are responsible for the content. This publication does not represent an expression of opinion by the EVZ Foundation. The author (s) bear (s) responsibility for the content.