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Racism and discrimination suffered by Roma population around the globe and particularly in Eastern Europe, where there is the largest population of Gypsies, became evident last week on a stage. US singer Madonna offered a concert in Bucharest last Wednesday. Madonna, who is touring the world with Gypsy musicians, said to the public: "It has been brought to my attention that there is a lot of discrimination against Romanies and Gypsies in general in Eastern Europe - it made me feel very sad. We believe in tolerance towards gypsies, homosexuals and others". Immediately after, the singer was jeered by the audience.

According to Le Monde.fr, the Gipsy musicians taking part in the show, the Kolpakov Trio, held a press conference in Bucharest in which they said that "it is terrible to see how in the XXI century still exists a situation like this in Europe. We are very sad and would like to say to Romania and Eastern Europe that everybody has rights, including Gypsies".

Further information:

• BBC: Madonna explains Gypsy comments
• Nationalia: Peoples and nations today: the Roma

Roma people

General information
Area: There are Roma communities in every continent, but particularly in the Balkans, around the Mediterranean basin, in the Middle East, India and South America.
Population: There are no official figures. Estimates vary from 10 to 20 million.
Language: Romani