The Romani people, Rrom or Roma are of northern Indian origin, having moved out of that area probably some time between AD 800 and AD 950, migrating westwards into Europe and arriving there some time after AD 1100.
Nowadays,gipsy-life in settlements and suburbs of cities like Michalovce, Levoca, Poprad and Secovce in Slowakia, and situations in Romania, Italy, Spain and Portugal where life is often miserable and tuberculoses, aids and drugs could become new threats.In may 2004 Slowakia joined the European Union. Romania followed in 2007. I visited several Roma-settlements in 2004,2005 and 2006, 2007 and 2008.With Judith Ottema(a social worker),Henri Brekveld ( photographer ), Roma-teachers,local organisations and a NGO we started a educational program for and with gipsy-children. This means i regularly give photography-workshops. In Holland and USA( New York City, Lobby Gallery, 5th Ave) exibitions followed in 2005 and 2006.In 2007 we exhibited daily gypsylife in Amsterdam, Leiden and The Hague. Besides above, we made a educational cardgame for gipsy-kids.Check www.zonaluma.nl for more information.With Henri Brekveld i travel to Romania for many years. A photbook will be published spring 2009. Meanwhile, i have a archive of 15000 gypsypics.
This year, Brekveld and i wil exhibit in Amsterdam, Melkweg Galery( opening 5th of june 2008), in Tilburg (013, gypsyfestival 22 th of may).And the Breda Photofestival in september 2008
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