Wednesday 23rd June 12.45 – 1.45pm 

Our Romano Drom

A history of the 1971 London World Romani Congress

Written and narrated by Grattan Puxon, Romani activist and general-secretary of the 1971 Congress.

Produced and edited by Ioana Constantinescu for the 8 April 2021 Jubilee celebrations organised by the Jubilee London Committee.

Using archive footage and photographs, Grattan takes us through the 60’s in Ireland where he became involved in Traveller issues, to the UK early campaigns against evictions, the setting up of the Gypsy Council and the lead up to the 1971 Congress in London.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month Celebration 24th June, 6-8pm  

This virtual 2-part event, hosted by Mena Mongan, will be an opportunity to come together to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities through discussion, music and stories.

6pm – 6.50pm – Panel Discussion

The event will begin with a short panel discussion on the impact of the proposed Policing and Crime Bill on the culture and lives of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK.

7pm – 8pm – Celebration

This will be followed by an exciting mix of musical performances and presentations, including..

• Nile Rice, writer and journalist from Paddington
• Ando Glaso Collective
• Marian and Co
• Bridging Sounds Orchestra

And many more…

On 8th April 2021, the World Romani Congress marked 50 years since the 1971 founding event in London. It was a crucial point in the history of Romani people and is now seen as the beginning of the worldwide Romani emancipation movement. It started a political fight for equality,mobilised through Romani organisations, and the unifying flag and anthem.

This year to mark the jubilee anniversary a series of diverse online events have been taking place that offer the opportunity to celebrate Roma history and culture but also critically reflect on the ongoing challenges that are still faced by Romani people worldwide.

Events can be enjoyed via a live stream at www.romanistan.com a virtual place that crosses all continental borders and connects Romani people worldwide. The president of the First World Roma Congress in 1971, Slobodan Berberski, once said: “Every place, there is Roma, there is Romanistan.” This utopia has now become reality!

It is hoped that this year’s online events will spark greater mobilisation. Grattan Puxon, one of the co-organisers of the First World Romani Congress, said: “At a time of rising far-right extremism and anti-gypsyism it is hoped that this anniversary year will bring Romani people and our allies around the world closer together, to create a common purpose, celebrate achievements, and build a stronger collective voice.”

If you weren’t able to attend or wish to reflect on International Roma Day, recordings of the day’s events can be found on Romanistan’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

There is still time to take part and the congress events are open to all. Check Romanistan’s website for updates and information on the next sessions.
In addition to the congress events, Romanistan and its partner oranisations have delivered an online World Roma Congress art exhibition.

Patrick Wiley, an American Archaeologist, is researching the history of Romani and Traveller families who lived in Epping Forest from the 1760s onward.  As many as 300 Romanichals lived and worked in the forest until they were forcibly evicted in 1897. Despite these restrictions Romanies and Travellers were known to stop in Epping well into the 20^th century and thousands of people of GRT backgrounds live in the Epping Forest District today. Patrick would like to get in touch with anyone of Gypsy Roma and Traveller heritages who lives in the area or has relatives who lived there.

The research will focus on three forest compartments, Walthamstow Forest, Wanstead Flats, and High Beech. Walthamstow Forest is the birthplace of famed Romanichal evangelist Rodney Smith. Wanstead Flats is mentioned in his autobiography and other sources mention it as common campground. High Beech was chosen because there are charcoal pits in the area possibly left by Romanichal charcoal burners.

For his PhD research at University College, London, Patrick plans a series of scientific tests to see if archaeological remains are present.  This information can help him, or other future archaeologists decide to excavate in the future. 

The stages in the fieldwork will include:

• Walking the site looking for anything of interest on the surface like the charcoal pits. 
• Magnetic susceptibility tests covering an entire forest compartment to look for changes in the soil caused by human habitation.
• Magnetometry to finding the buried remains of campfires, forge fires, and iron artifacts
• Ground penetrating radar to look for the hard-packed earthen floors of bender tents. 

Patrick hopes these tests will reveal campsites in detail and might even be able to determine if the camp was built in summer or winter based on the location of the campfire or hearth.

Romani Archaeology is largely unknown in the UK, but studies have been carried out in Sweden and the Czech Republic in collaboration with local Romani people. Patrick is seeking people of Gypsy Roma and Traveller heritages to work with him as partners and participants. Anyone interested can reach him at patrick.wiley.20@ucl.ac.uk.

Romani history is a severely neglected topic in the humanities and barely any Romani archaeology has ever been conducted. I believe that the marginalization of the Romani past is directly connected with the marginalization of the Romani people. I know that the study of the past has great potential to inspire, transform, and empower and I believe that a dedicated subfield of Romani and Traveller archaeology will have that same impact. 

Patrick Wiley