Top of the Popes

Preparing to represent all Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in Hyde Park

Romani Rad, a group of Roma refugee musicians and dancers managed by the East London based Roma Support Group, were among those who performed for Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Hyde Park in to London. The group of Polish Roma, whose name in Romany simply means “Romany blood”, say their participation in the event highlighted the Church’s inclusion of the Roma community in this country, as opposed to the social exclusion and discrimination that Roma still face in European countries on an everyday basis.

“For us, Roma being here is a great honour. We came to share our culture with everyone present, representing not only Roma from Eastern Europe but also all Gypsy, Roma, Traveller communities in the UK.” said Anna Krawczyk, one of the young members of Romani Rad. “We feel part of British society and we want to be treated as such.”

She is just one of many young Roma people, discriminated and marginalised in their Eastern European homelands, who are now making the most of new opportunities which are available for them in the UK. Many have successfully integrated into British society achieving academically and fulfilling their potentials. 

Romani Rad on stage at the Hyde Park Vigil

The Roma Support Group, which is based in the London Borough of Newham, started in 1998 and works with approximately 1000 Roma families in London. It has been nationally recognised for its achievements in the field of enhancing the quality of life of Roma refugees and migrants, as well as increasing public awareness of Romany culture and history.

However, Sylvia Ingmire, the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation is very concerned that there are still many challenges ahead for the Roma in the UK before they can fully exercise their equal rights in the face of continued discrimination and social exclusion. She fears that the forthcoming government cuts in the public and voluntary sectors, in particular the potential withdrawal of funding by London councils will undermine and seriously damage the decade-long efforts to integrate Roma refugees in this country. 

 “The Roma have always been a rich and fertile symbol of the ‘other’- a convenient antithesis of European civilisation. Like in the story of Dorian Gray, they were made to become a dark, foreboding reflection of their host societies.

“But now, we desperately need a well informed and incisive debate on Roma rights within all European Union states, which will not be based on emotions and deeply rooted stereotypes but on documented knowledge, research and equal participation of Roma community members”, says Ingmire.  

For more information on the Roma Support Group, see: www.romasupportgroup.org.uk