RCC Presents The Roma — from ‘extra' to ‘ordinary' Project

About

Romaphobia, the discrimination against people called by turns, Gypsy, Tigani and many other pejorative names is on the increase throughout Europe. Current media representations of Roma people and their communities strengthen rather than transcend entrenched prejudices and are not generally set up as opportunities for reflection and learning. The Romanian Cultural Centre is proud to present a series of events that address the Romaphobia issue with the aim of engaging visitors in a wider debate about Roma culture. Roma — from ‘extra' to ‘ordinary' contrasts Romani history with the reality of everyday Romani life. The exhibition aims to highlight both anti-Roma prejudice and the ordinariness of Roma people's reality and activism, hoping to bring a new dimension to the debate surrounding the Roma from Eastern Europe. Through a series of parallel events, the exhibition opens up the space for a cultural dialogue that challenges visitors' preconceived ideas about Roma people and becomes a space where learning between Roma and non-Roma people can happen in non-exploitative ways. In designing this exhibition, the curators have tried to create a space where Roma people feel safe to show themselves and their culture in ways that makes sense to them. Exhibition in collaboration with THE ROMA SUPPORT GROUP Curator: Violeta Vajda (University of Sussex and Institute of Development Studies) Advisory Board: Alina Serban, Nicu Dumitru, Augustin Barcea With the kind support of: Rachel Humphries (University of Oxford), Dr. Annabel Tremlett (University of Portsmouth), Tania Gessi (Roma Support Group) Special thanks to artists: Ciara Leeming and Artur Conka Part of ROUNDTABLE PROJECTS — an RCC open platform for cultural projects developed in partnership with the members of the Romanian community in the UK. CONNECTED EVENTS 25 JUNE | 6:30 - 9:30 pm Film Screening: OUR SCHOOL (2011| 93 mins) Dirs. Mona Nicoara & Miruna Coca-Cozma | USA / Romania / Switzerland Followed by a Living Library session 26 JUNE | WORKSHOP| 10 am - 6 pm Roma integration and evidence-based policy-making For more details, please visit our website.