Exhibition in Prague Highlights Roma Resistance During World War II

A new exhibition opened in Prague on October 15, 2026, at the Prague Museum of National Rebirth of the Roma, highlighting the heroism of over 1,400 Roma individuals who fought against Nazi occupation during World War II[6][7]. This exhibition seeks to challenge established historical narratives and provide overdue recognition for a group whose contributions have largely been overlooked in mainstream accounts of the war[6].

This development provides a significant re-evaluation of history, bringing to light overlooked acts of resistance and countering the long-standing neglect of the Roma experience during one of humanity's darkest periods[6]. It marks a step in the Czech Republic's broader effort to acknowledge the Roma Holocaust and its victims[13].

What the Records Show

The exhibition, opened October 15, 2026, at the Prague Museum of National Rebirth of the Roma, focuses on the resistance of Czech and Slovak Roma against Nazi occupation[7]. It aims to present Roma as active heroes in the fight against Nazism, not solely as victims of the Holocaust[6]. Historians note Roma resistance remains under-researched, with many Roma hesitant to identify publicly due to historical trauma and ongoing discrimination[6]. An earlier exhibition, 'The Genocide of the Roma during the Second World War,' launched in August 2022 by the Museum of Romani Culture, also focused on Nazi persecution in Czechia, a topic long undiscussed[4][11].

The Timeline

The Prague exhibition follows the April 2024 unveiling of a new Roma memorial at the Lety concentration camp site, 60 miles south of Prague[3][13]. The Lety camp held approximately 1,300 Czech Roma between August 1942 and May 1943[3][13]. During this period, 327 individuals died there, and over 500 were sent to the Auschwitz death camp[13]. A pig farm occupied the site from the 1970s, and its removal was a long-standing demand[3][13][15]. The new CZK 102 million memorial opened publicly on May 12, 2024[15][16].

What Changed and For Whom

These events mark a significant shift in Czech public acknowledgment of Roma history and suffering during World War II. The Lety memorial and Prague exhibition recognize Roma as both victims and participants in resistance[6][7][13]. For the Roma community, this offers overdue official recognition and spaces for remembrance and education, confronting historical trauma[6][13][15].

What the Subject Has Said Publicly

At the April 2024 Lety memorial unveiling, Czech President Petr Pavel stated the plight of Roma victims during World War II had "long been neglected"[13]. He noted the communist regime built a pig farm on the site, saying the memorial now pays a "decades-long social debt to the Roma Holocaust"[13][15]. Prime Minister Petr Fiala acknowledged the memorial should have been built much earlier and that "everything has taken too long," also citing the difficulty for Czech ancestors to admit Czech involvement as guards at the camp[13][15].

What We Could Not Confirm

We could not confirm the exact number of Roma resistance fighters who were specifically Czech or Slovak, as the exhibition highlights resistance of "Czech and Slovak Roma"[7]. We also could not confirm specific long-term programming for the Prague Museum of National Rebirth of the Roma following this exhibition.