Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2011

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2011

Throughout the month of June activities and events will be taking place around the country in schools and community centres to celebrate and raise awareness of Gypsy Roma Traveller and Showman culture and heritage. Salford City Council will once again be an active supporter of this initiative and will host a variety of workshops, activities and events that in the City. We will be jointly working with Manchester City Council on some activities, reflecting the strong links between communities in both cities.

There is a difference this year because rather than stage all our activity in June we are planning to kick things off then but have a series of events through summer and autumn to maintain the momentum. Further information will be added as projects are finalised.

Events in Salford

Community Celebration
Saturday 18th June 12.00pm - 5.00pm
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Cheetham Hill

This event will be an opportunity for different Gypsy Roma Traveller groups, officers, partners and members of the public to come together and learn more about the culture and heritage of these often misunderstood communities.

The highlights of the day will be “Travellers Got Talent” show a chance for individual and groups to show off their ability as singers, dancers and all round entertainers in front of a panel of expert judges! The winners and runners up will receive prizes.

There will also be a professional storyteller, Roma portrait artist, life-size bow top wagon, traditional Irish and Roma music and dancing and much more. Examples of good practice and successful educational projects will also be showcased at this event.

Events for young people and schools

1) The internationally acclaimed Roma artist, Ferdinand Koci and local members from the Showman’s guild will be running art workshops on the 14th and 17th June in primary and secondary schools in the city to give an insight into Roma, Traveller and Show people culture. Pupils will also have the opportunity to experience what traditional Gypsy and Traveller life was like by taking part in storytelling workshops inside a traditional life-size Gypsy wagon (known as a Vardo). Details of the schools involved will appear here shortly.

This year there will also be a national competition for children of all ages called a “Moment in Time” where entrants can create a story, poem, painting, photograph or even a piece of music or song that captures a moment in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture or history. Prizes will be given out in each category in the autumn term.

2) The Broughton Trust in partnership with Lower Broughton Children’s Centre will be offering Taster workshops in Hair and Beauty and Well–Being aimed at young Traveller women in order to help them develop skills for employment. The workshops will be taking place at Lower Broughton Children’s Centre during June, and further details of the exact dates will be added soon.

For more information contact Natalie Stables, Ethnic Minority & Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) on 0161 921 2202 or by email on Natalie.stables@salford.gov.uk