Black March 1990 lessons learned - 33 years since the Ethnic Clashes in Romania

Only a few months on the aftermath of the Romanian Revolution, on 19-20 March 1990, the public opinion in Romania and abroad was shocked by the ethnic conflict between Hungarians and Romanians from Târgu-Mureș • Marosvásárhely. The events, broadcasted by the most important radio and TV stations in the world resulted in five deaths - Romanians and Hungarians - and 278 wounded.

The society from Târgu-Mureș • Marosvásárhely and Transylvania found itself between two historical realities: the recent memory of ethnic atrocities and the need to coexist in a multi-ethnic society. It was the moment when the leadership of the Hungarian community in Romania strengthened its view that minority rights can be obtained only using democratic tools and by participation in the Romanian public life.

The 33th anniversary of the events in Târgu-Mureș • Marosvásárhely, gives us the opportunity to commemorate Black March and its effects on our present. The conference, film screening and photo exhibition events in Brussels will create the opportunity to discuss the condition and the role of the minority communities in the society and their effect on peace and stability.

Black March of Târgu-Mureș, the film of Miholcsa Gyula is based on the archive records captured during the events as well as on the film of the Dr. Bernády György Cultural Foundation from Târgu-Mureș • Marosvásárhely. The screening will be followed by a discussion of historians and public figures about the lessons learned from the recent history.

The documentary will be subtitled in English and Romanian.

The event is co-organized by Loránt Vincze, member of the European Parliament, and supported by the HUNinEU office, the Foundation for the European Representation of Hungarian National Communities and the European People's Party Group in the European Parliament (EPP Group).