Youth recognised for telling the stories of Gypsies and Travellers

O Baro Dive: Entrants were asked to describe Ferdinand Koci's beautiful poster in less than 100 words

The young winners of a national and international competition to celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture will gather in Leeds Civic Hall tomorrow to be awarded prizes for their efforts.

The national Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month in June 2009, saw hundreds of events across Britain celebrating the history of Britain’s most misunderstood and marginalised communities. As part of the celebrations, children from 3 to 16 years old across Britain were invited to create a story inspired by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, which could be written, recorded and drawn, but last no longer than 5 minutes.

A separate international competition entitled “O Baro Dive”, meaning “The Big Day” or “Celebration” in Romani, invited children from across the world to describe in no more than 100 words a poster montage of Gypsy Roma and Traveller images, representing the culture, music and some of the important events in the community’s year. Entries were received from across Britain and Europe.

Tomorrow, the winners and the highly commended entrants of both competitions will come to Leeds to be receive prizes for their efforts at an Awards Ceremony in The Banqueting Suite of  Leeds Civic Hall on Tuesday 17th November 2009 from 12 to 3 pm. There will be presentations, readings and an opportunity to meet Ferdinand Koci, Roma artist, creator of the  ‘O Baro Dive’ poster and Jess Smith, Scottish Traveller, author, singer and storyteller.

Jess Smith commented on the competition:

”Gypsy Traveller Roma people are dedicated to a strong sense of family values and the continuing importance of community spirit. All entrants portrayed this along with varying colourful descriptions of horses, wagons (vardos) singing, music, storytelling and the sense of belonging to a world wide family of lovely people. Overall this was a joy to judge!”