GRTHM 2010
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month is fast approaching. Already in its third year, GRTHM 2010 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Many events have become firmly established and others are following their lead.
Preparations for this year's events have begun. Once again there will be a National Competition for schools, and this year it will be a POETRY competition. As in previous years entries will need to be in before the end of June. We are in the process of finalising where the entries need to be sent and where the award ceremony will be held. More news shortly.
Awards Ceremony
The winners of the GRTHM National Storytelling competition to celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture gathered in Leeds Civic Hall in November to be awarded prizes for their entries.
Lilijana’s List
This is a short film produced by In Toto Theatre with Roma students from Norwood School in Lambeth South London, based upon a story by Jana Elliott about a Romany girl from Kosovo.
The film aimed to raise awareness of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history, culture and heritage and their contribution to British society as part of the celebrations of GRTHM 2009.
Lilijana's list from Travellers Times on Vimeo.
Roma Route Launched
A short film on a project in Slovenia
On October 8th 2009, the Council of Europe launched its European Route of Roma Heritage and Culture in Slovenia. Jake Bowers reports from the Roma community of Kamenci, widely seen as a model in breaking down barriers between the Roma and Gadje (non-Roma) communities.
Storytelling Competition
Thank you to everyone who took part in this year's Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month Storytelling competition. We received over 800 entries covering all five key stage categories.
The winners of competition have been chosen for all categories and have been invited to the awards ceremony that will take place at Leeds Civic Hall on 17th November 2009.
The main judges - professional Traveller storyteller Richard O'Neill and authors Karen Taylor and Eleanor Thom - chose winners, second and third places in five age groups from a shortlist after initial judging had taken place. Many highly commended efforts were recognised.
Claire Lockwood who organised the competition would like to extend thanks to the initial judges: Kathleen Guthrie - Hull TES, Rosalind Paul – Luton TES and Maureen Barrow - Sunderland TES.
Celebration in Essex
The Traveller Education Service working in partnership with Essex Record Office and Essex Cultural Diversity Project held an event that included; displays, arts/crafts, poetry, step dancing, accordion music and a viewing of the film Gypsy Caravan: When the Road Bends.
Pictures from Bourne Hall
A free event took place at Bourne Hall, in Ewell Kent, on the 20th June. The day included wagons, horses, music, peg making, and food.
Action-Packed Event
Housing organisation Central & Cecil celebrated Gypsy Roma Traveller History month on June 30 with an action-packed event at the Haringey Irish Centre, which was attended by approximately 150 people.
Photo Essay for GRTHM
To coincide with GRTHM, the Guardian Newspaper presented a gallery of 18 images by photographer and writer Zsuzsanna Ardó which documents her recent time in a Roma community in Harghita County in Transylvania, Romania. A photography book 'How Long Is the Journey?', about the Hungarian Roma, will be published later this year.
Also see ...
Exclusive to this site a collection of songs written and performed by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers specially compiled by Ambrose Cooper and Kerieva.
Read more and download a copy >
Coming and Going a new DVD explores the history of Britain’s Gypsy and Traveller community.
RSS FEEDRoyal Crown Derby
Royal Crown Derby china is known and collected throughout the world, but is particularly prized by Gypsy and Traveller women.
United Nations Statement
A statement by Gay McDougall, United Nations Independent Expert on Minority issues, on UK National Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month emphasised the importance of the month >
