written by art historian & curator Mihaela Manolache
The Roma community is one of the largest minorities living in Europe. Migrating here from the Indian continent 1.000 thousand ago, the Roma did not manage to find understanding and civic tolerance elsewhere. From the Kale community of Finland to the Domari from Palestine and Egypt, Romani people lived at the edge of society, in disadvantaged social conditions, with traditions and beliefs transmitted to generations through oral stories. Although some might find them strange and extravagant, this culture strongly emphasises honor and family values.
A unique society, easy to recognise, and challenging to radiograph, the Roma community (also known as the Gypsies) is still a major social obstacle for the Western world in its desire for community development. Most Roma have faced discrimination and persecution for centuries and today the situation has slightly improved. Even after the Roma holocaust, during WWII, in which about half a million Romani died, their social image has not improved greatly. Where does this stigma come from? Why does the Roma community not integrate with the rest of the world?
Origins of the Roma People
The Roma ethnic group is an itinerant community by tradition that draws its roots from India. Although…
