Lunik IX - inside the biggest Roma community (de facto getto) in Slova














Lunik IX - inside the biggest Roma community (de facto getto) in Slova

Lunik IX is the biggest Roma community in Slovakia, and - unfortunately - de facto a ghetto, Kosice, February 2017.

This is the only building own by Roma community of Lunik IX. The rest is own by the city. Together with NGOs, the community will slowly change the old, crumbling buildings into the new ones and will make Roma people the owners of their houses, Kosice, February 2017.

Roma people make 10% of Slovak population. Yet, in the recent report, human rights activists' groups stayed the country still fails to educate and integrate Roma children. Some of them do not go to school at all, some – are facing institutional segregation.

Some of the youngest inhabitants of Lunik IX attend the holy masses and classes provided by the Catholic mission in the settlement. There are various meetings during which the children learn not only religion but also what is good and what is bad, Kosice, February 2017.

Catholic mission has established a small church and a school in the settlement. They have regular masses every Sunday. There is also a school where kids can prepare themselves for first holy communion – they play, they read Bible, they sing, Kosice, February 2017.

Julian has been worried about vandalism and aggressive inhabitants of Lunik IX. He tries to protect his home from possible attacks by putting a metal grid at the entrance, Kosice, February 2017.

Lunik IX settlement is located in the suburbs of Kosice. It is inhabited by 4000 to 4500 people. Living conditions are truly nightmarish. For now, the electricity is back to the settlement but there is still no gas or running water, Kosice, February 2017.


Like elsewhere, there is no heating in the rooms and the baby has to be kept in the warm suit inside the house, Kosice, February 2017.

Roma people love music and dance. Here, a little dancing party is taking place in one of Lunik IX's apartments. The house is full of people – family, neighbors, guests. Despite the situations and living conditions, they try to keep their good moods and enjoy life, Kosice, February 2017.

Marija goes to a public school for Roma children in Lunik IX which is attended by many kids from the settlement. The most important for them is to learn Slovak language and mathematics. Some of the children, if they show interest and motivation, can go to the school in the city. Most of them gain an only basic education, but there are few others who go further, Kosice, February 2017.

Lunik IX settlement is located in the suburbs of Kosice. It is inhabited by 4000 to 4500 people. Living conditions are truly nightmarish. For now, the electricity is back to the settlement but there is still no gas or running water, Kosice, February 2017.

