Panorama of Roma culture

Project facts

Project promoter:
ROMA ACADEMY FOR CULTURE AND EDUCATION(BG)
Project Number:
BG-CULTURE-0042
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€74,272
Donor Project Partners:
The University College of Green Development(NO)

Description

The project is aimed at improving the access to culture and art of the Roma population from the region of Sliven district. The project envisages the creation and presentation to the public of a book and videos containing biographical data and creative products of emblematic Roma artists. The necessary materials for the book and videos will be collected and documented by a team of researchers "Traveling Katun" , who will undergo training to acquire specialized skills and conduct all necessary research activities. To ensure the work of the research team will be purchased equipment. The results of the work of the research team will be formed into a book and videos, parts of which will be translated into English. The presentation of the products from the work of the creative team will be made in Bulgaria through on-site visits and in Norway through online tools. Through the activities, planned in the project, on the one hand, the Roma will have access to cultural content, and on the other - Roma culture and art (through their prominent representatives / artists and artists /), will be presented to the general public, regardless of their ethnicity affiliation, which will create preconditions for expanding the tools of intercultural dialogue.

Summary of project results

The negative media image, prejudices regarding Roma culture and traditions make it difficult for Roma to enter the labour market and participate in social processes in the country and Europe. Many members of the general public associate Roma culture solely with low-quality audio and video products that fill the media space and distort cultural heritage. The project aims to change perceptions of Roma ethnicity and culture by promoting the work and attracting a wide audience to Roma culture and art through the collection, processing and dissemination of biographical data and creative products of iconic Roma artists and artists.

The project envisages the promotion of Roma culture through the creation and presentation to the public of a book and videos containing biographical data and creative products of emblematic Roma artists and artists. The necessary materials for the book and videos have been collected and documented by a team of Traveling Caton researchers. The research team compiled a list of famous Roma artists and artists, collected biographical data, and conducted meetings and interviews with 14 iconic artists. The interviews were edited into short video clips, and were shaped into a book "Panorama of Roma Culture". A website in Bulgarian and English and a Facebook page were created to present the results and products of the project: 14 video clips of the interviews with famous Roma artists, as well as a book "Panorama of Roma Culture". The presentation of the products of the work of the creative team was done in Bulgaria through site visits, and in Norway through online tools.

The main target groups of the project were: artists working in the field of art and culture; representatives of the Roma population in the districts of Sliven; civil society, including disadvantaged people, children, people interested in culture and arts; researchers of Roma culture and art.  Filming and distribution of the video interviews with famous Roma artists showed in a new and modern way the true face of Roma culture, which in turn creates conditions for achieving policies related to full cultural integration and empowerment of Roma, promotion and preservation of Roma culture and art for future generations. 1. improving the cultural and educational integration of the Roma community by providing Roma with access to cultural content and introducing Roma cultural role models, and 2. improving the situation of the Roma population in Bulgaria and overcoming anti-Roma stereotypes by presenting Roma representatives of different cultural genres that have contributed to the richness of Bulgaria''s cultural heritage. 

Summary of bilateral results

The main task of the Partner was to train the Travelling Catoon research team in community outreach, locating local cultures and artistic activities. The Partner will also be involved in presenting the rich cultural heritage of the Roma community to the public in the Kingdom of Norway.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.