Behind the Portrait: Casian Covaciu

Continuing in our collaborative series with Simon Murphy, we spoke to Casian Covaciu, a trainee barber who lives in Govanhill, about Roma weddings and life in the area.

by Rhiannon Davies

This photo forms part of Simon Murphy’s Govanhill series in which the photographer shoots portraits of people who catch his eye as he walks about the neighbourhood, camera in hand.  The project celebrates the diversity and community of the area, finding beauty in our differences. 

Speaking about this image, Simon said:

“I met Casi walking along Allison street with his friend Roni. Both of them looked fantastic and it turns out that they were heading to buy a present for a wedding that was happening that day. I just had to photograph them. 

Much of my portraiture comes from chance meetings in the street. You never know what will happen or who you might meet around a corner so my process involves clearing my mind and wandering, open to life and opportunity. The project has been building over a number of years now and I'm starting to think about beginning work on a book of the photographs.”

I was going to a wedding when Simon asked to take my picture. That’s the traditional clothes we wear for weddings; a long overcoat, a blue suit with white stripes and a traditional hat. 

I like to look smart and get dressed up. I do it for Christmas and Easter and other events too. The rest of the time, I prefer to wear tracksuits. 

There are some fun traditions in a gypsy wedding. We go to the house of the parents of the bride. There were lots of other women there, and the groom had to pick the bride out from the group. When he does this, we take her and go to the ceremony. 

I love the food in our celebrations. We eat sarmale (stuffed cabbage leaves) and roast meats and other dishes. My mum does the cooking. 

I’m originally from Oradea in Western Romania. But we travelled around and I lived in France and Ireland before coming to Glasgow. 

Read more Behind the Portraits

It means a lot to me to be gypsy. I love the fact that I can speak many other languages like French, English, Romanian, Spanish and Gypsy. And I love the music, singing and dancing in our culture. 

I want to make something of my life. That’s why I wanted to come to Glasgow so I could go to a proper school. I went to Shawlands Academy and loved it. 

I plan to become a barber. Ever since I was tiny, I’ve always enjoyed going for haircuts. So now I’m training at the City of Glasgow College. 

Govanhill is where I want to live forever. It’s where I grew up. We arrived ten years ago, when I was seven, so I feel like I’ve been here my whole life. 

I like that I have friends from all different cultures here. And there are lots of nice parks, places, clubs. Glasgow is a friendly place too. 

I work in the Transylvania Coffee and Shop. It’s a good experience for me, learning how to make coffee and people are always coming in to talk. 
In the future I want to have a family and lead a beautiful life. I mean I want to be happy. Always happy.

For more, follow Simon on Instagram.