The city council of Barcelona will fly the Romani flag for the first time in history to celebrate the Roma culture in Spain.

The initiative is being organised as part of a week-long of activities around the International Roma Day (8 April) delivered across the city by organisations including the Fare member Federació d'Associations Gitanes de Catalunya (FAGiC), Union Romani, Associació de Joves Gitanos de Catalunya, Terne Roma, amongst other.

Between 29 March and 08 April, music concerts and performances will be held across different points of the city, workshops, talks and school activities will share the Roma culture with the general public, competitions will emphasise diversity, and info points will set across the city to inform and raise awareness of anti-Roma discrimination.

In addition to the hoisting of the Romani flag, on 8 April there will be an official event at the parliament of Catalonia, followed by the traditional throwing of roses to the river, sport and rumba demonstrations and the lighlighing up of the Montjuic fountain with the colours of the Romani flag.

Speaking ahead of the day Jaume Asens, Mayor of Barcelona, said: "These actions are a way of starting to pay the huge debt we have with the Roma people."

The International Roma Day is celebrated every year to highlight the culture of Roma people and raise awareness of the issues facing Europe's largest ethnic minority, including discrimination, lack of education, healthcare and proper housing.