Monday, February 22, 2010
The Legend Of When Roma Still Had Wings….
And those forced to live on the ground envied the Roma people their beautiful wings, with which they were able to soar in freedom high above the misery below. That was the way of Gypsy life until the day they were lured out of the sky by an open courtyard glittering with gold and precious Stones. From the moment they landed, blinded by greed for the glistening treasures, dark ravens robbed the Gypsy people of their magical wings. It was from then on, that Roma were forced to cross the land of the Gadje like everyone else on the ground.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Gypsy Soul…
The credit for this belongs to Orhan Tahir, a young man from Romania, who collects and sends these YouTube video to me on Facebook. To my mind this video combines the Roma’s love of horses, music, dance and love itself. Watch and enjoy!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Adieu To A Rrom I…Sadly…Never Knew.
[Roma Virtual Network]: Died: 24 December, 2009, in East Kilbridge, aged 60.
Alexander Kennedy “Elic was a great character who lived life to the full. He had a great sense of fun and loved engaging with people from all walks of life. He loved nothing better than taking his vardo (traditional Romany wagon) to what is now left of the traditional Gypsy gatherings such as St. Boswells, Brough Hill and Appleby. The first thing he would do was light up a “stick fire” where everybody would congregate and pass the time of day. Whether you were Giorgio..” (non-Gypsy) ..”or Gypsy Traveller you would walk away with a history lesson. If you hung about long enough, and many did, you would get a right good feed from the many pots cooking over the fire (nouvelle cuisine was certain not on his menu).”
To me nothing could describe the beauty and true humanity of traditional Gypsy life better than the above paragraph. I was very fortunate to have been invited in my younger days into circles of this beautiful culture. Many have tried to snuff out that culture as if it were merely the flickering light of a lone candle. But that culture has survived against all odds. I have personally met a Roma leader of that deep humanity right here in the U.S.A. Many of those I knew in Europe have passed on, men and women. But the Roma culture will go on giving birth to such selfless, noble character as the above Alexander Kennedy. May God protect Europe’s Roma, and let us down here on earth give him a strong helping hand.
Alexander Kennedy “Elic was a great character who lived life to the full. He had a great sense of fun and loved engaging with people from all walks of life. He loved nothing better than taking his vardo (traditional Romany wagon) to what is now left of the traditional Gypsy gatherings such as St. Boswells, Brough Hill and Appleby. The first thing he would do was light up a “stick fire” where everybody would congregate and pass the time of day. Whether you were Giorgio..” (non-Gypsy) ..”or Gypsy Traveller you would walk away with a history lesson. If you hung about long enough, and many did, you would get a right good feed from the many pots cooking over the fire (nouvelle cuisine was certain not on his menu).”
To me nothing could describe the beauty and true humanity of traditional Gypsy life better than the above paragraph. I was very fortunate to have been invited in my younger days into circles of this beautiful culture. Many have tried to snuff out that culture as if it were merely the flickering light of a lone candle. But that culture has survived against all odds. I have personally met a Roma leader of that deep humanity right here in the U.S.A. Many of those I knew in Europe have passed on, men and women. But the Roma culture will go on giving birth to such selfless, noble character as the above Alexander Kennedy. May God protect Europe’s Roma, and let us down here on earth give him a strong helping hand.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Needed Urgently By European Roma: A Bridge To Hope
Nothing illustrates this better than a short documentary made by
award-winning filmmaker Arpad Bogdan. For years I have received
invaluable information from Roma Virtual Network. I received this link
through them. I implore my friends and fellow Roma activists to help me
get this urgent call for help into American newspapers, radios, and
Television stations.
award-winning filmmaker Arpad Bogdan. For years I have received
invaluable information from Roma Virtual Network. I received this link
through them. I implore my friends and fellow Roma activists to help me
get this urgent call for help into American newspapers, radios, and
Television stations.
http://www.romadecade.org/life_on_the_edge_darkness_on_the_edge_of_town_2009
The European Roma you'll meet in this documentary, are the same Roma
I've known and loved since my early years. Let's link hands and help.
Leave a comment on this blog, let's find a way.
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