Culture, Arts and Refugees

Project Focus:

The project aimed to achieve the inclusion and integration of Roma children and youth, to enable them to voice their concerns, hopes and dreams. Children became involved through arts and writing activities.Weekly workshops were held in music and dance traditions of the Roma. Participants produced a book, Colours of Hope,which offered readers an insight into Roma culture, issues of identity and discrimination. The Roma Support Group is a community organisation committed to improving the life of Roma asylum seekers and refugees of Eastern European countries.

Background:

There was a need among the Roma community to empower themselves, build bridges to the wider community and articulate their culture and concerns. Music became a central focus for the project as all Roma tribes share the value of music and its importance to them, and is seen as a means of combating prejudice against Roma as it presents positive images of their culture and community.

Participants:

Roma children and teenagers aged between 3 and 21 years. Outreach to 500 Roma families across London

Activities:

The project was initiated through art classes that were received with great enthusiasm.A series of workshops were developed enabling young people to participate in visual art, painting, drawing, photography, sewing, poetry and essays in different venues, including schools and private homes. There were music and dance workshops for the very young.
The workshops resulted in a large volume of original writing and artwork by Roma children that was used as the basis for the book, Colours of Hope. Participants were contacted through advice centres and outreach work took the activities into their homes. Mentors provided encouragement and support for English and literacy activities, and provided materials. Support workers speak Eastern European languages and provided
support for both children and their parents,who were initially cautious about ‘outside’ agencies and feared further prejudice and discrimination. The project developed into two
festivals and resulted in a musical about Roma life and culture,The Wedding, held at Stratford Circus, in East London. The group has also resulted in a troupe of musicians and dancers, Romani Rad, which is increasing in demand to play at festivals and on musical recordings.

Outcomes:

• Project helped children with literacy, music, dance, photography, sewing and visual arts skills.
• Music and dance workshops passed on Roma traditions within generations.
• Group gained organisational skills in organizing festivals and events.
• Through outreach activities children became involved in other schemes and activities, including martial arts and learning musical instruments.
• Members of the group travelled to different parts of the UK to participate in festivals and events with the band.
• A group of Roma musicians were invited to contribute to a CD recording by British pop musician,Terry Hall.
• Workshops were extended into schools –musicians and facilitators worked with 200 children in schools in 2004. Activities in schools helped Roma children feel more comfortable with their culture.
• Participants and Roma community gained a sense of achievement.
• Book published and distributed to university education departments, schools and libraries across the UK.
• Book resulted in increased interest in Roma culture and history within the UK and internationally. A university in Japan is translating it.
  

Sources:

Interview with Roma Support Group staff. Books and materials. Video interviews with Roma Support Group staff and participants.

Contact details:

Roma Support Group

PO Box 23610
London E7 OXB
Tel: 07949 089778
E: roma@supportgroup.freeserve.co.uk
www.romasupportgroup.org.uk