Scientific Conference ’Rajko Đurić: Life and Work’

The two-day scientific conference titled ’Rajko Đurić: Life and Work’ was held on Thursday, 11 June, at the SASA Grand Hall.

Dr Rajko Đurić was one of our most prominent Roma intellectuals from the region of Serbia and ex-Yugoslavia. He was an author, philosopher, sociologist, journalist, professor and political activist. He is remembered for introducing the issues of Roma culture and Roma community into academic, literary and political spheres across Europe. He became a symbol of an educated and staunch supporter of the rights of the Roma people.

In Serbia, he was recognised as one of the most renowned public voices of the Roma community, particularly in Belgrade. He was among the first people to publicly discuss inclusion, education of the Roma people, institutional discrimination, European values and the significance of cultural identity and pride.

He was one of the founding fathers and an established associate of the SASA Board for the Study of Life and Customs of the Roma.

The conference will examine Rajko Đurić’s life and work from a variety of perspectives and place them within the broader social and historical context in which he lived and worked. Particular attention will be devoted to his contribution to increasing the visibility of the Roma community and advancing its position in Serbia and internationally.