Press Release
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month - June 2008
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From the Lords to the lanes, June 2008 will be celebrated as the first national Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month
Across England this June Gypsy history isn’t just being celebrated, but made. With political backing from the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF), Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History month will be celebrated as many of Britain’s 300,000 Gypsies and Travellers work alongside central government, local authorities, schools and heritage organisations to explore their own history and culture.
Some 90 years after the black community embraced Black History Month to promote integration, understanding and tolerance, representatives from Europe’s largest ethnic minority have joined forces with statutory bodies to combat prejudice with fact as political violence engulfs Romany communities in other parts of Europe.
From Cumbria to Kent, local authorities and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities have organised lessons, exhibitions, concerts, fairs and film screenings in response to the decision by Lord Andrew Adonis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools, to back June 2008 as the first Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history month. Committing resources and political support earlier this year, Adonis stated:
“For too long these people have been shunned by sections of society, leading to a mutual distrust which has had an impact on the education of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children.”
"I fully endorse this opportunity to raise awareness and explore Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture as an opportunity to tackle prejudice and celebrate the achievements of these communities.”
Having waited 500 years for central government to recognise their history, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller activists, academics, craftsmen and historians have embraced the month as an opportunity to educate the public. Across all 8 local government regions in England they are working in partnership with public sector workers in schools, museums, council buildings and libraries. A magazine listing many of the events, places and people taking part in the month is attached.
Patricia Knight, the national coordinator of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month says: “Britain’s 300,000 Gypsies, Roma and Travellers have lived, worked and travelled throughout Britain for over 500 years, yet we have been almost entirely written out of British history. Go to most museums, libraries and schools and nothing about our history and culture is kept or taught. The result is a widespread ignorance about who we are, which sometimes turns to hatred, fear and misunderstanding, but always has an impact on Gypsy and Traveller lives.”
“So this June, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are coming together, with central government backing, to begin the long overdue task of educating the British public about who we are and where we come from. We’re doing it for one simple reason: If people do not realise that we were an important part of Britain’s past, they will never accept us as a crucial part of Britain’s future.”
Some of the highlights of the events planned across the month include:
- On June 2nd, winners of a national poster competition about the month which attracted thousands of entries will be given prizes at the House of Lords by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Avebury and minister Lord Adonis
- On June 3rd, Romany academics, including world renowned Romany linguist Professor Ian Hancock will debate the origins of the Romany people at the University of Greenwich
- On June 4th, a concert featuring the talents of Romany and Irish Traveller musicians will take place in Conway hall, London
- From June 6th to June 10th, Europe’s largest Gypsy horse fair, dating from 1685, will take place in Appleby in Cumbria
- On June 15th, Gypsies and Travellers will be celebrating their past and future at Worcestershire County Museum
- From June 16th, an exhibition by professional Roma artist Ferdinand Koci. Will open in Leeds
- On June 21st, Gypsy musicians and craftsmen will gather at the Romany life centre in Cranbrook, Kent and showpeople and Gypsies and Travellers will gather at Cambridge Midsummer Fair
- On June 24th, Romipen, a Gypsy ensemble from Slovakia will celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture alongside internationally renowned Scottish Traveller storytellers Sheila Stewart and Jess Smith in Leeds
- On June 25th, Irish Traveller actor Michael Collins will perform his one-man show in Leeds
- On June 26th and 27th, Irish Travellers will hold a “Pavee Celidh” in Hammersmith in London
- On June 30th, A Celebration of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller will be held in the World Museum, Liverpool the European Capital of Culture
For more information about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month contact Jake Bowers on 07966 786242
Email: jake@grthm.co.uk or
Patricia Knight on 01273 858746 or 07859 026996
Email: patricia@grthm.co.uk
Or contact local GRTHM organisers closest to you
North East England:
Peter Saunders, 0113 274 8050
Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service Leeds
Malcolm Wilson 01302 734258
North West England:
Billy Welch, 07765 945480
(organiser of Appleby Fair)
Kirk Mulhearn, 07971 202328
(Showman’s guild)
Kath Cresswell – 01204 338150/33
West Midlands:
Trish McDonald, 01902 714646
Dennis Latham 01922 869509
East Midlands:
Siobhan Spencer, 01629 583300
Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group
Gordon Boswell, 01775 710599
Gordon Boswell Romany Museum
East:
Candy Sheridan, 01692 581460
Irish Traveller and District Councillor
Thomas Acton, 0208 331 8923
Professor of Romani Studies
London:
Sylvester Huczko, 07904511330
Roma Support Group
Rocky Deans, 0208 937 3329
Brent Traveller Education Service
Andrew Ryder, 020 76072002
Irish Traveller Movement
South East:
Jake Bowers, 07966 786242
Romany Journalist
Email: jake@grthm.co.uk
Patricia Knight on 01273 858746 or 07859 026996
Email: patricia@grthm.co.uk
