The GRT Year
20th February:
Romanian Roma celebrate their liberation from slavery.
Roma Day
April 8th:
Roma Day is on 8th April and has been since 1971. This was the opening day of the first World Romani Congress near London. It aims to reinforce a global sense of solidarity amongst the Roma people - a nation without land. World Roma Day is marked by events in cities around the world and is supported by the International Romani Union, members of the Roma National Congress, the Association of Roma in the CIS and Baltic States, the All India Banjara Seva Sangh, the Trans-European Roma Federation and hundreds of smaller organisations and groups.
Erdelezi (St Georges Day)
May 5th and 6th:
One of the biggest events is Erdelezi which falls on the orthodox St George's day in May. “To the Roma, Erdelezi is like Thanksgiving in the USA,” says author Garth Cartwright.
Stow Horse Fair
May 15th:
Quite simply, the biggest horse fair in the South of England. Held in a field at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
Saintes Maries de la Mer
May 24:
The main town of the Camargue in the south of France. This is a pilgrimage destination for Roma (Gypsies) who gather yearly in the town for a religious festival in honor of Saint Sarah also known as Sara-la-Kali (Sara the black). Dark-skinned Saint Sara is said to have possibly been the Egyptian servant of the three Marys (the three saints Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome and Mary Jacobe).
Roma participation in pilgrimage and their veneration of Saint Sarah has been recorded since the middle of the 19th century by travellers and parish priests.
Epsom Derby
6th and 7th June:
One of the biggest horse racing events in Britain and one that has a long Gypsy history andreally big Gypsy and Showman attendance.
Appleby Horsefair
5th to 9th June:
Appleby Fair runs for a week in June, in the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. This second Wednesday is the day for dealing.
The main days for visitors are Saturday through to Wednesday. Every kind of vehicle, from the traditional vardo to the cut-glass caravan can be seen.
It is probably the best known of the horse fairs attended by Romany families travelling to meet up with old friends and conduct business. It is world famous, the largest of its kind in the world, and attracts a huge gypsy gathering.
It has existed as a fair for horse trading since 1685, under the protection of a charter granted by James II.
The field on the outskirts of Appleby originally known as Gallows Hill, due to its usage in earlier times is now called Fair Hill and looks over the town of Appleby. During the Fair, horses may be found everywhere - in the river, on its banks, along the roadsides or tethered outside hotels and shops.
Young people wash the horses in the River Eden and are then ready to show them off. The tradition of racing and trotting the horses along Flashing Lane takes place throughout the day.
Cambridge Fair
24th June:
Midsummer Common, Cambridge
Lee Gap Fair
First Lee 24th August (St Bartholomews Day)
Latter Lee 17th September:
800 years old and counting. This fair at West Ardsley near Wakefield was once held for three weeks and three days around St Bartholomew, now it happens on just two days.
Poster Competition
The first major part of the GRTHM is a poster competion for ages.
