Prejudice is most often born where knowledge, real conversation, and understanding of another person’s context are lacking. When we don’t know the history, traditions, or values of another culture, it’s easy to fall into the trap of stereotypes, other people’s judgments, or our own assumptions.

Open dialogue gives us the chance to get closer, to hear real stories, to ask questions, and to see that behind every culture are people with their own traditions, experiences, and values. When there’s a safe space for honest conversation, prejudice breaks down, and understanding takes its place — diversity doesn’t divide society, it makes it stronger.

That’s exactly why the Voice of Romni team organized the “Intercultural Dialogues” cultural and educational event in Kryvyi Rih. We created a space for open, friendly conversation among people of different backgrounds, who talked about culture, history, stereotypes, and mutual respect.

This meeting focused on the theme “Crimean Roma: Culture, History, and Preserving Identity.” Participants learned about the history of the Crimean Roma community, its way of life, family traditions, language, musical heritage, and cultural characteristics as a whole. They also looked at the community’s life across different periods, drew parallels, identified positive changes, and discussed how to preserve cultural identity amid today’s challenges — along with the community’s role in passing this heritage on to future generations.

Of course, the conversation also turned to stereotypes. To fight them effectively, we need to understand which narratives have shaped false ideas about the Roma community over the years, where they come from, and how to counter them. Participants shared their own experiences and discussed the importance of equality, mutual respect, and intercultural dialogue.

A special highlight was tasting traditional Crimean Roma dishes. Participants sampled yantyky — fried pastries filled with minced chicken — and kasheborek, a soup traditionally prepared after the Ilbashi holiday (January 13–14). Made with chicken broth and small dumplings, one dumpling has a coin hidden inside: whoever finds it is said to have a lucky, successful year ahead. Traditions like these help people connect even more deeply with a culture — through its flavors, symbols, and family stories.

Through this meeting, we wanted to show that our space always welcomes different experiences with respect — because knowledge gives rise to respect, and honest dialogue builds trust. Step by step, we’re building communities where diversity is seen as a value.

This event took place within the project “Comprehensive Support and Psychosocial Rehabilitation for Vulnerable Families in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Sumy Regions,” implemented by the NGO Association of Roma Women Voice of Romni with the support of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Ukraine.