Glynmil young people create homage to Gypsy/Roma Holocaust victims

Young people from Merthyr Tydfil’s Glynmil Caravan Park in Wales have remembered the lives of Gypsy/Roma Holocaust victims who died in World War Two by creating an educational art installation that will be on display at events and buildings across the UK.

The artwork, which recently featured in a Holocaust commemoration service held at St Tydfil's Parish Church, is currently at Merthyr Tydfil Central Library and will be displayed at other events before travelling to the Senedd in August for Roma Holocaust Memorial Day.

A Welsh Government Equality and Inclusion Programme grant, funded the project which was led by Head4Arts Kate Strudwick, sculptor Cindy Ward and digital artist Natasha James.

Glynmil Site Manager Lillie Bramley said: “Head4Arts, who have been working on site for many years, took the lead of this important project to create a beautiful and sensitive art installation.

Named 'Many Stars in the Sight of God', the heart-shaped design of the sculpture was created from recycled copper pipe and wire, with a cast iron cartwheel base. 

Each of its crafted stars represents 10,000 Gypsy/Roma people killed by the Nazis in World War Two, with the young people having drawn upon Gypsy/Traveller iconography to decorate the stars. There are also QR codes linked to further information as part of the sculpture.

“A special thanks goes to Kate Strudwick, who’s commitment to working with this community continues to make a massive impact,” added Lillie Bramley.

“Also to all the young people involved for their hard work:  Jamie, Lily, Lisa-Marie, Missy, Obi, Precious, Ria, Rhianna, Sadie, Vienna, Wesley P, Wesley W and Willie Boy,” she said.

TT News / Merthyr Tydfil CBC press release

(Top photo caption: Missy and Lisa Marie with Welsh Government MS Dawn Bowden and MP Gerald Jones. All photographs courtesy of Merthyr Tydfil CBC)