A SHORT film highlighting the diverse culture, challenges and resilience of the Roma community in Ireland has been launched by the Donegal Travellers Project in Donegal.
‘Sam Rom’ meaning ‘We Are Roma’ shines a unique and intimate spotlight on Roma people from different countries who are making new lives on Arranmore Island, the east Donegal village of Convoy and in Letterkenny.
It was launched on Thursday afternoon.
“Too often Roma are marginalised and seen through a narrow and judgemental lens. I hope this film can challenge perceptions and shine a light on some of the stark realities of their lives but also celebrate the vibrancy and depth of Roma culture,” explained director, Katie Ruby McLaughlin Robinson.
Believed to be one of the first films of its kind to be made in Ireland, Sam Rom and the corresponding photographic exhibition is a collaboration between the Arts Service of Donegal County Council and the Donegal Travellers Project as part of the Earagail Arts Festival.
The documentary emphasises the strength and resilience of the Roma people aiming to foster understanding, empathy and a more inclusive society in Donegal and across Ireland.
Roma is an umbrella term used in Europe for groups including Roma, Sinti and Kale living across many different countries.
“The Roma community in Donegal comes from different countries and traditions like Romanian, Polish, Ukrainian and Czech but we are all Roma. This film is very important because it gives our community the opportunity to talk about the challenges and discrimination faced day by day and to show a little bit of our culture,” said David Carpaci, Roma Health Community Worker, with Donegal Travellers Project.
Rudolf Simonic, Community Development worker for Roma with Pavee Point, said he looked forward to the film being shown in schools and reaching a wider audience.
“It is very important to document our journey, especially in Ireland so that we can look back and see how Roma from different countries all over Europe are doing in Ireland so people can understand who we are. This documentary shows who Roma really are,” he said.
Andrew McNulty, Arts and Cultural Diversity Officer with Donegal County Council, who secured funding for the project through the Creative Ireland programme, said that from the outset the aim had been to create meaningful engagement to enable the voice of the Roma community to be heard.
“Through deeply personal interviews and evocative scenes this film highlights the strength, resilience and cultural richness of Roma communities in Donegal, and is a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding and of fostering a more inclusive society,” he said.
Eimear Heaney, Community Development and Advocacy worker with DTP said that documentaries such as this one were necessary to challenge the pervasiveness of “anti-gypsy-ism” throughout Europe and to give voice to the Roma community.
Hugh Friel Roma DTP Health Coordinator (Sligo Leitrim and Donegal) urged the audience to speak up and challenge racism directed towards Roma and Travellers.
“We want to have true inclusion and an equal society with equal access to opportunities,” he said.
The film was made possible with support from Creative Ireland, Donegal County Council, Health Service Executive, The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
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