Old Fairground in focus with WW2 Roma suffering day

The WW2 concentration camp in Belgrade's Old Fairground was the place where along with Jews, many Roma died. But the location, laden with historic meaning, is still used inappropriately, B92 has found out. Old Fairground in focus with WW2 Roma suffering day Yesterday marked the International Roma Holocaust Day, and brought back into focus the issue of the Old Fairground camp, on the left bank of the Sava River in Belgrade, and the suffering of this ethnic community during the Nazi occupation. Romas were arrested and detained from the early days of the death camp's existence, at first along with Belgrade's Jewish women and children – the men were already killed in German reprisals that killed 100 civilians for the death of one Nazi soldier. Although there is precise date on the number of Jewish deaths at the site – some 7,000 – the number of Roma victims remains unknown. The Roma records are no better when it comes to other camps where Serbs, Jews and Romas were executed during the war. As for the Old Fairgrounds site, it has stirred controversy for the past several months, mostly due to the fact that, although under the state's protection, the building that served as the camp's hospital has been privatized, causing a court process. But in the meanwhile, this space has for years been used in a way that many see as offensive to the memory of the victims, the latest being a boxing match over the weekend. Organizer of this event, Aleksandar Nikacevic, told B92 that his company opted for Old Fairgrounds as all other venues in town were booked. "It looks great, it is ideal for lighting and television, and that's the reason we chose this space, that we still like, despite all these unwelcome events and discussions, but in the future we will try to circumvent it in order to avoid problems we could have," he explained. Zeljko Ozegovic, the president of New Belgrade municipality, where the former camp is located, believes that legislation is to blame, and urges higher fines for those who desecrate such sites. The penalties now stand at between RSD 1,000 and 10,000 (EUR 12 to 120). B92 has for its part started a campaign to have the former camp officially marked as Memorial Center Old Fairground as soon as possible. A total of six facilities, originally built in 1937, will, under this project, become a memorial-educational center that will host permanent exhibitions reconstructing the history of genocide and the Holocaust in Serbia. The aim of the educational center within this space would be to teach tolerance and co-existence, working against radicalism, fascism and chauvinism. B92 Fund has in the meantime been accepted to the International Coalition of Historic Site Museums of Conscience, and is preparing a two-part documentary, where survivors will tell their stories about the death camp that operated close to the heart of Belgrade.

Old Fairground in focus with WW2 Roma suffering day

Yesterday marked the International Roma Holocaust Day, and brought back into focus the issue of the Old Fairground camp, on the left bank of the Sava River in Belgrade, and the suffering of this ethnic community during the Nazi occupation.

Romas were arrested and detained from the early days of the death camp's existence, at first along with Belgrade's Jewish women and children – the men were already killed in German reprisals that killed 100 civilians for the death of one Nazi soldier.

Although there is precise date on the number of Jewish deaths at the site – some 7,000 – the number of Roma victims remains unknown.

The Roma records are no better when it comes to other camps where Serbs, Jews and Romas were executed during the war.

As for the Old Fairgrounds site, it has stirred controversy for the past several months, mostly due to the fact that, although under the state's protection, the building that served as the camp's hospital has been privatized, causing a court process.

But in the meanwhile, this space has for years been used in a way that many see as offensive to the memory of the victims, the latest being a boxing match over the weekend.

Organizer of this event, Aleksandar Nikačević, told B92 that his company opted for Old Fairgrounds as all other venues in town were booked.

"It looks great, it is ideal for lighting and television, and that's the reason we chose this space, that we still like, despite all these unwelcome events and discussions, but in the future we will try to circumvent it in order to avoid problems we could have," he explained.

Željko Ožegović, the president of New Belgrade municipality, where the former camp is located, believes that legislation is to blame, and urges higher fines for those who desecrate such sites. The penalties now stand at between RSD 1,000 and 10,000 (EUR 12 to 120).

B92 has for its part started a campaign to have the former camp officially marked as Memorial Center Old Fairground as soon as possible.

A total of six facilities, originally built in 1937, will, under this project, become a memorial-educational center that will host permanent exhibitions reconstructing the history of genocide and the Holocaust in Serbia.

The aim of the educational center within this space would be to teach tolerance and co-existence, working against radicalism, fascism and chauvinism.

B92 Fund has in the meantime been accepted to the International Coalition of Historic Site Museums of Conscience, and is preparing a two-part documentary, where survivors will tell their stories about the death camp that operated close to the heart of Belgrade.