Youth Exchange and exhibitions | September 2014 | Boulogne-sur-mer (62)
According to the Council of Europe, 10 to 12 million Roma currently live in Europe, population divided in several communities and living in European societies for more than 600 years. In spite of this long common history, Roma communities have cultures that are still widely unknown nowadays; they are still facing prejudices and are discriminated against.
It is in this context that we chose to initiate an exchange of European youngsters, in the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme, willing to tackle the issue at a European level, in order to envision it in its entirety and differently. This youth exchange, called “Roma cultural discovery through Europe”, took place from the 27th to the 8th of September, at Boulogne-sur-Mer. It gathered 20 young people from Turkey, Italy, Romania and France. Between debates, reflective and creative workshops, the participants could also enjoy informal moments through games, discovery times of the region, intercultural evenings and meals, where they could personally enrich themselves, learn and share their about their different cultures. The exchange ended in Lille the last two days, in order to let the participants discover the Braderie de Lille.
Goal: Breaking the stereotypes born through lack of knowledge about cultures, talking about Europe and its values, tolerance, intercultural communication, discriminations due to prejudices, enlarging spirits and stimulating curiosity by discovering the different Roma cultures in Europe. Participants have been able to develop and convey their reflection through artistic expression, using photographs, drawings, and by setting up animations and cultural discoveries (preparing animations aimed at discovering Roma cultures – food, dance, languages…). A public exhibition has ended this exchange, in order to share and let people get access to their work for the local population. It took place Saturday, the 6th of September, at the Hostel of Boulogne-sur-Mer. This youth exchange has been a first nice experience that we would like to push further, with a larger European project on the topic of Romas in Europe, which we are currently thinking about.
Photos of the exchange:
Work done by the photography group:
“Music”
Music holds an important place within Roma communities. It is played for every big event in the community’s life, such as weddings, funerals, etc.
“Jewellery”
Roma people love to wear a lot of jewellery, bracelets and necklaces. Often, it is a way to express their culture as well as their wealth.
“Roma portrait”
This portrait embodies and shows us a characteristic of Roma people. Typically, the Roma people love to be colourful, an extension of their lively personality.
“Feminine diversity”
This photo represents the beauty and diversity of Roma women. They are not only mothers and workers, but also beautiful women whose colourful appearance depends on the community they are from.
“Family”
The life and culture of Roma people are organised around the family and the community, in order to protect and take care of each other. Family is very important and often holds the first place.
“Religion”
Contrary to popular belief, Roma people don’t have a definite faith. Each community lives according to its own culture and the country’s they are living in. Some communities are Catholic or Protestant, others are Orthodox or Muslim.
“Roma family at a crossroad”
This photo represents the never-ending quest of Roma people for a place they could settle in, with good conditions, in order to escape discriminations.
Photography lecturer: CRAB Boulogne-sur-Mer / graphic design: Nicolas Sekulak
Partners and sponsors :
Programmes européens « Erasmus + » : http://www.erasmusplus-jeunesse.fr
Jump in associazione culturale (Italian partner): www.jumpinweb.euwww.jumpinweb.eu
Asociata Institutul Pentru Dezvoltare Si Inovare (Romanian partner): www.ideain.orgwww.ideain.org
Hacettepe University EU Office (Turkish partner) : www.abofisi.hacettepe.edu.tr
CRAB (Boulogne-sur-Mer) : http://dsu-crab.fr/
Auberge de jeunesse de Boulogne-sur-Mer : http://www.hifrance.org/auberge-de-jeunesse/boulogne-sur-mer.html
CDSI (Boulogne-sur-Mer): http://www.ritimo.org/acteur623.html