Other News
Continued from the homepage
Seeking the Truth?
Many in the Gypsy and Traveller communities are in uproar about their protrayal - some feel betrayal - in the Channel 4 series "Big Fat Gypsy Weddings" but the show has opened a much needed debate on Gypsy and Traveller culture.
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month is all about celebrating 500 years of culture and to help break down the myths and sterotyping that builds the barriers that can lead to mistrust and prejudice. It's obvious from comments on the Travellers Times website that many feel that the Channel 4 show completely misrepresents them and that the general public might perceive all Travellers in the same way.The actions of the few reflect on the many and the show damages the work done by those in the Traveller and settled communities involved in GRTHM, Traveller education and other organisations that work with Gypsies and Travellers.
For organisations who want to improve their awareness of the Gypsies and Travellers a training pack is available. "Moving forward" by Surrey Police and the Gypsy Media Company includes films, interviews, fact sheets and training exercises to help educate quickly and effectively The pack has the backing of Warwickshire Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland (ACPO).
Details on how to obtain the "Moving Forward" pack >
Read more about the reaction to the Channel 4 series on the Travellers Times website >
Gypsy & Traveller Art Project Brings Urban Youth Group to Shirenewton site
As part of an ongoing strategy to bring Gypsies, Travellers and young people from other backgrounds together in the name of breaking down barriers and building bridges, the Romani Cultural and Arts Company's latest project will combine hip-hop, street dance and the youth work skills of Newport's Urban Circle.
Competition
GRTHM in Wales
Building on the success of the celebrations held last year in Wales, even more events are planned for this June.
Children from primary schools across Cardiff, Newport and Torfaen are being encouraged to take part in a 'Design a Poster' competition. The main GRTHM 2011 event at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre in Newport will be co-ordinated by the Romani Cultural and Arts Company and will include the announcement of the competition results.
Poetry Competition Award Ceremony
This year's national GRTHM competition culminated with the publication of the National Association of Travellers and other professionals (NATT+) 'Gypsy, Roma and Traveller poetry book' which was released at the competition prize-giving ceremony held in Lewes Town Hall in East Sussex.
Read more, see photos of the event and find out how to get a copy of NATT+'s fantastic book >
Talent Contest Makes the News
As well as featuring on the BBC, the GRTHM 2010 Travellers Got Talent competition has also made it into the national press.
The Daily Star featured a half-page story about Olivia Ayres the winner of this year's competition. She speaks about her ambitions and her pride in her Gypsy background.
In November, the Equality and Human Rights Commission will be launching the follow-up research to (Who Do You See?) research, which found that Gypsies and Travellers are one of the four groups in Wales most likely to experience discrimination.
Isaac Blake was one of four commissioned to create a digital story. Watch the video and find out how proud of GRTHM he is.
Travellers Got Talent on the BBC
GRTHM's Travellers Got Talent competition was featured on the BBC across southern England.
The regional current affairs programme Inside Out broadcast a film about this year's contest that was made by Jake Bowers and BBC Producer Jane Goddard. The film followed the fortunes of Surrey Gypsy girl Cherie-Marie Smith as she competed for the coveted title of Traveller Got Talent winner 2010.
The Romani Cultural and Arts Company have been awarded a grant from BBC Children in Need to bring animation company Cinetig to the Shirenewton site near Cardiff.
Travellers Got Talent came to a successful conclusion in Stowmarket on 9 July. And the congratulations go to the winner Olivia Ayres.
Read more about the final and watch some of the performances >
What Happened in 2010?
- See how GRTHM has made the news.
- Pictures from the Gypsy Heritage Day in Sussex where Gypsies and Travellers came together with the local police force to celebrate and share.
- Pictures from the GRTHM event in Ash.
- Does it matter where you come from? Visit University of Cambridge's website to read a report on the day of presentations and discussions with those who may fall outside of the higher education system that happened on 10 June.
- Online now are videos of speeches from the official launch of the Holocaust Against the Roma and Sinit exhibition on 8 June.
Watch a video of the celebrations at Bourne Hall on 19 June in Epsom.- Read about the History Seminar. Delegates also had access to a private view of the Otto Pankok exhibition at the same venue. See some of his work.
- Read about the formal launch of the Holocaust Against the Roma and Sinit exhibition with Mr Romani Rose and guests from Germany.
See the reviews index page for more >
PLUS: This year's GRTHM magazine is now online >
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 >
