Roma Culture - Learn. Explore. Experience

Project facts

Project promoter:
Romano ButiQ Association
Project Number:
RO13-0037
Target groups
Roma,
Entrepreneurs
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€198,865
Final project cost:
€194,960
From EEA Grants:
€ 149,144
The project is carried out in:
Romania

Description

The Roma minority in Romania has a negative image among majority population according to the recent studies in this field. The knowledge about the Roma minority is generalized and associated with a number of structural stereotypes and prejudices due to the lack of objective sources of information. The project aims to reduce gaps in knowledge about Roma history and culture, to increase mutual understanding and address discrimination. The aim is reached by documenting Romani culture and history by setting up a documentation center which serves the need of objective and qualitative information and by the representation of Romani culture and its heritage to the broader public through three artistic temporary thematic exhibitions held in appropriate space. The preservation and enrichment of the heritage of Romani communities will be stimulated by the development of a network of Romani artists from national and international level through a series of 3 workshops. Improved relations between Roma and non-Roma is stimulated through the direct participation of the afore-mentioned artists to all the activities in the project. The targeted groups are 10 Romani artists involved in artistic creation, Roma and non- Roma local community, around 500 persons, from around the location of the exhibition in Bucharest, Giulesti Sarbi, local authorities, organized groups and mass media around 400 persons, students and pupils, cultural experts from national and international level. The Center for the Study of the Holocaust and Religious Minorities in Oslo(donor project partner) pursues research in the following three areas: the Holocaust in Norway, comparative genocide and ethno-religious minorities in contemporary Norway. The assistance provided by the Partner, considering its experience in research and study, in Norway and in Europe, will contribute to a rigorous and comprehensive approach on study and documentation regarding the Roma culture and culture related information.

Summary of project results

The Roma minority in Romania has a negative image among majority population according to the recent studies in this field. The knowledge about Roma minority is generalized and associated with a number of structural stereotypes and prejudices due to the lack of objective sources of information, including the ones of the Romanian educational system. The project achieved its objectives by creating and developing the Nicolae Gheorghe documentation centre; representing of Romani culture and its patrimony for the large public through 3 artistic temporary thematic exhibitions; preservation and enrichment of the patrimony of Romani communities by involving Romani artists from national and international level in workshops and artistic installation; contributing to improving relations between Rome and non Roma through the direct participation to all the activities in the project. The main outputs from activities undertaken in the project were: created and developed documentation center Nicolae Gheorghe within which resources are found over 2000 (archives, artifacts, books or other records) on Roma history and culture, the assistance provided by the Norway partner, helped us to set up a rigorous and comprehensive approach on study and documentation regarding the Roma culture and culture related information within the project., performed a study visit of representatives of Norwegian partner HL Senteret in Bucharest, three temporary exhibitions and openings of these three exhibitions that have achieved a better knowledge and exploration of Roma culture by the visitors and the general public. Were held working sessions with artists national, international and local representatives of Roma culture in which resulted three art installations as follows: first installation art varnished 8 August 2015 Festival Solidarity Pakivalo.Two other art installations inaugurated in the artistic event organized dialogue at the Museum of Roma Culture 28 July 2016 were achieved with the support of two photographers international Maja Nydal Eriksen and Harald Medbøe, six local visual artists and 16 other local atisti (art audio) and music band. Through this project was ensured a correct and creative representation of the Roma culture and counter their negative image mainly.

Summary of bilateral results

The dpp, HL-Centre - Centre for Studies of the Holocaust and Religious Minorities in Oslo was involved in the creation and operation of a documentary center that studies documents, archives, artefacts, or other types of recordings about the Roma. Through this partnership, PP benefited from the knowledge and experience of HL Senteret partner, aiming at better knowledge and education of the general public on Roma culture and documenting the cultural history of the Roma. Thus, during the study visits, the members of the project team in Romania learned about the way of archiving and organizing the documentation center, as well as about the ways of promoting the documentation center created through our project. At the same time, during the project, Norwegian experts provided documents, archiving procedures and working forms, etc., which proved to be very useful in the organization and operation of our documentation center. Throughout the project, the collaboration in partnership has ensured the professionalism of approaching the operation of the documentation center and the creation of stable and important links in the relevance and visibility of this effort at local and international level.