International Roma Day in April saw a host of events and activities take place around Govanhill. Melanie Goldberg writes on a striking exhibition and a celebration of this historic culture, in the face of online backlash.

Words and photos by Melanie Goldberg

Ame sam zor. Ame sam skepime. Ame sam kamlino. (We are power. We are freedom. We are love.)

Last month, Greater Govanhill was one of several local community organisations that exhibited powerful portraits of local Roma residents as part of a celebration of Roma culture and community.

Residents and visitors of Govanhill were treated to a colourful photo exhibition in the windows of local establishments. The stunning portraits of local Roma women wer displayed in the windows of Greater Govanhill, Locavore, Radio Buena Vida, Category IS Books, Curlach, Govanhill Baths Community Trust, and Patricia’s Café, connecting the diverse area through a brief snapshot into this historic culture.

Jointly organised by Romano Lav and Street Level Photoworks,, the exhibition displayed work by award-winning Romanian visual artist and researcher Simona Ciocarlan who has exhibited her work in Milan, Paris, Ljubljana, Vienna and more. She describes her work as investigating “the interweave of collective memory, cultural heritage, and identity” and is particularly invested in “exploring folk traditions and promoting the safeguarding of our ancestor’s knowledge and cultural heritage awareness.”

Aside from the portraits, people could read personal narratives written by the women. Some of the captions included “I encourage Roma women to listen to their heart” and “Believe in yourself, you are so powerful. When you believe in yourself you can achieve beautiful things.”

One of the captions for the portraits offered a poignant unfurling of why singing is such an integral part of Romani culture:

“When we sing, we can connect to our ancestors. When I sing, I feel freedom. Like I’m in the forest and we’ve got the caravans, the fireplace, and the kids play, the men playing music and the women dancing around the fireplace.

“So that means to me freedom. I’m very happy, and I’m also very excited. Sometimes when my girls are dancing, I’m singing and dancing, my tears are just running. It makes me very powerful, and very happy. The tears are not sad tears, they are happy tears.”

The photos have now been returned to Street Level Photoworks and it is hoped that they will be displayed again soon.

The portrait series formed part of the wider celebrations here in Govanhill for International Roma Day which falls annually on April 8. First proclaimed as a holiday by the International Romani Union at the 4th World Romani Congress, the day aims to celebrate Romani culture and raise awareness of the issues facing Romani people. The celebrations took place in Govanhill Park and saw speeches and dancing, followed by servings of delicious Roma foods such as goulash and halupki (stuffed cabbage rolls) in the parish church.

Read more: Transylvanian Recipe: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe

Yet for all the communal festivities and celebration of culture, there were some people online who used the day as a vehicle for discrimination.

Local MP, Alison Thewliss, posted about IRD on her Twitter page after being invited to the event as a guest speaker. The tweet was a magnet for trolls and xenophobes who barraged Twitter feeds with a sludge of hateful and derogatory comments. Speaking about the backlash, a spokesperson for Romano Lav said:

“On the back of such a successful and inspiring day, we were angered and devastated with the amount of vicious hate and racism that was thrown about Twitter after an invited guest speaker posted on their page in support of the event.”

“Ignorant, hateful words that have no place in our society. Racists should know that their hate only strengthens our resolve; it reaffirms the importance of our work. They will never win.”

Attacks like these, both on- and offline are sadly and scarily all too common with a recent national survey revealing an unprecedented amount of discrimination faced by Roma, Gypsy and Traveller communities. Which has led to calls for government review into the report

Yet, in the face of adversity, Roma communities continue to thrive. Aside from Romano Lav, Govanhill based Roma organisation Community Renewal Rom Romeha are also championing Roma voices and rights here in Govanhill. Run by the Community Renewal Trust, conducts research into and supports Roma communities across Scotland through various projects and initiatives. They provide viable opportunities to access education and employment pathways, run pantries for local communities and collaborate with local NHS boards to improve healthcare, amongst others. For the upcoming academic year, 7 young people from Govanhill’s Roma community are set to progress into tertiary education after being supported by Rom Romeha.

Read more: Rom Romeha - For Roma, By Roma

Places like Romano Lav and Rom Romeha continue to amplify Roma voices, with International Roma Day and the portrait series being two of just many initiatives that are happening throughout Govanhill.