The Romani people 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. I visited several Roma-settlements in 2004,2005, 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 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 gypsiepics.
This year, Brekveld and i exhibited in Amsterdam, Melkweg Galery, in 013 Tilburg .Right now i do have a show during BredaPhoto-festival, till october 31.
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