On Saturday Romano Lav launched an exhibition with a powerful fashion show this international Women’s Day, to celebrate Roma women, their contributions to family, work and their cultural traditions.

*Model dancing down the catwalk at the Roma Cultural Centre, by Syeda Sadaf Zaidi*

By Devon McCole | Photos by Syeda Sadaf Zaidi & Laura Vroomen & Devon McCole

On the evening of International Women’s Day, the Roma Cultural Centre was transformed into an exhibition space and catwalk for a special event celebrating Roma women.

Toni Bruce, one of Romano Lav’s project coordinators, let us in on why they landed on the idea of hosting a fashion show of women proudly wearing Roma traditional dress: “It flies directly in the face of aggressive racist nationalism and stereotypes about Roma women and traditional dress; we collectively felt it was so important to counter the racist narrative that is perpetuated onto Roma women wearing traditional clothing.”

‘Romane Phenia Sar So Phabol’, which translates to ‘Roma Sisters are the Burning Fires’ was a packed event. And the name was fitting; the room was busy before the evening even kicked off, with young children running around, dressed in their very best – their doting mothers’ handy work no doubt.

The walls of the main room in the Roma Cultural Centre were populated by photographs of powerful Roma women and their achievements, like award winning actress Alina Serban who starred in acclaimed films like ‘Gipsy Queen’, or poet, teacher and writer Nina Dudarova, who founded ‘All Russian Union of Gypsies’ in Moscow – among many more.

*Photograph of Alina Serban with text for the exhibition in the Roma Cultural Centre, by Devon McCole*

Bubbles and beer (as well as soft drinks) were served alongside a finger buffet. Guests and attendees helped themselves, greeting friends, colleagues and neighbours who turned out to join in the celebrations and support the women that made the evening possible.

By 6pm the room was bustling with people, mainly families who turned out to support their mothers, sisters and daughters who were in the show. Half an hour later, there wasn’t a spare seat in the house, with many attendees standing, ready for the show to begin.

In a surprise turn of events, Bozena Siwak, a member of the popular 1970s band ROMA, was invited onto the stage to answer some questions and talk about some of the images on the wall – many of which had pictures of her family.

Read more: The origin story of ‘Romane Cierhenia’ – the Roma Stars of Glasgow

The host of the fashion show, Bozena’s niece Sonia Michalewicz, brought her onto the stage after trying to quiet the excited room. Bozena, who was reluctant at first, shared a sly smile and some laughs with her family seated in the audience before being gently pulled onto the stage. Speaking with her auntie in Romanes, Sonia translated Bozena’s answers to English for the benefit of those of us in the audience (like myself) who speak only English.

Bozena was asked about her family’s fondness for music, her response: “Roma people, when they are born, they are born dancing and singing.” There were bursts of laughter and agreeing applause, as smiles swept across peoples faces.

*Bozena Siwak of ROMA singing one of their songs after her chat with neice, Sonia, by Syeda Sadaf Zaidi*

Bozena spoke of how she brought her children up going to gigs, adding that these are the traditions she hopes young Roma children will keep alive. She also spoke of breaking a few traditions when asked how she met her husband: "Usually in Roma culture, women’s parents won’t give them permission to marry. I always say I ‘stole’ my husband because we did not ask for permission."

The room erupted again with laughter, but the conversation ended on another more serious but still very positive note when Sonia ended the chat with: “Roma women thrive in every environment, even when they’re not welcome.”

At that point the show began. Beautifully dressed Roma women, young and old, made their way down the red carpet laid down especially for them to the tune of traditional music. In their hands, they each held up signs with powerful messages plastered on both sides in Romani and English: “We are beautiful”, “We are mothers and grannys" and “ROMA Women are POWER.”

*Model struts down the catwalk at Roma Cultural Centre with a sign in hand, by Syeda Sadaf Zaidi*

Following the first walk down the catwalk, the second part of the fashion show began with an introduction from one of Romano Lav’s young ‘Community Catalysts’, Slavka Popikova, who spoke of how Romano Lav taught them the importance of their rights, ended her speech with: “Women’s rights are human rights… Here are some feisty women to spell it out!”

*Romano Lav ‘Community Catalyst’, Slavka Popikova, addressing the audience, by Syeda Sadaf Zaidi*

Again the women paraded down the catwalk, some with their young children following behind them, dancing down the red carpet. In their hands, the models each held a sign with an article from the Human Rights Act.

Emphasising their message, Slavka read out the articles as the women confidently displayed them, greeting the friendly faces in the audience as they went along: “Article 1: Free and Equal”, “Article 2: Freedom from discrimination” and “Article 27: Right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and share in scientific advancements and its benefits,” among more.

*Romano Lav’s Rahela Cirpaci strutting the catwalk with a sign in hand, by Syeda Sadaf Zaidi*

Paulina Gombarova, another young Community Catalyst in attendance that evening, said: “It was a great way to show off the Romani culture and Romani women. All the different Roma traditional dresses made me feel so proud, their colours and designs really displayed our vibrant and alive culture. The women walking the red carpet were also amazing, their dancing lit up the whole centre. The music and singing made us all feel really happy, it was so good seeing a lot of Roma people all together, celebrating Roma women but also the culture.”

As the show came to an end, the host reminded everyone they were invited to stay for the reception, to dance, eat, celebrate and view the exhibition if they hadn’t had a chance to. After the ‘final whistle’ was blown in the form of a rendition of the rebellious ‘Bella Ciao’ by Bozena (which the room joined in for), they did just that.