Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month continues

As Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month continues, activities have been taking place local across the country to celebrate the history and culture of groups that continue to face prejudice and challenges. 

This year’s theme is Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller 'Heroes' Month: Who Inspires You? and aims to tackle prejudice and amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers through celebration, education and awareness-raising opportunities. 

Among the activities which have taken place, the Strategic Team for Anti-Racism at the Scottish Government held an event celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. Photos and information about the event can be found on the STEP website 

A Gypsy/Travellers cultural awareness presentation was also given to the Third-Party Reporting Group - facilitated by Police Scotland - earlier this month. 

You can read about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history and culture on The Traveller Movement website while an exploration of Traveller history, featuring song and verse, can be found in the video The Travelling People by Real Media. 

A longer presentation can be found in the video Searching for 
The Travelling People by Travellers’ Times Online and a visual interpretation of Gypsy/Traveller history can be viewed in Gypsies, Roma, Travellers: An Animated History by Open Society Foundations. 

And for a simple summary of some of the common misconceptions and assumptions made about Gypsy/Travellers and the barriers, watch the thought-provoking Two Sides of the Same Story by the MECOPP Gypsy/Traveller Carers’ Project. 

A wide range of resources about Gypsy/Travellers can be found online all year round. 

Aberdeenshire Council has a dedicated Gypsy/Traveller Liaison Officer, whose role is to assist the Travelling community by providing signposting, support and assistance to try to achieve positive outcomes for them. 

Those seeking advice and support can contact Di Faithfull, the Gypsy/Traveller Liaison Officer, at di.faithfull@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or Liz Hamilton, Strategic Housing Officer Liz Hamilton at liz.hamilton@aberdeenshire.gov.uk