Wednesday 25 June 2008

I finished the day at the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Civic Hall...

These awards were planned as part of the first national Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month and provided an opportunity for us to celebrate the winners of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month Poster Competition and to recognise the personal and academic achievements of some of our young people from these communities. This recognition of talent and potential will help us continue to build confidence and self-esteem as well as developing understanding of the culture, traditions and heritage of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

The evening included wonderful music and dance by Romipen, a gypsy ensemble from Slovakia, and two powerful inputs by Jess Smith and Sheila Stewart, internationally renowned Scottish storytellers, authors and singers. The awards were presented by international Roma artist Ferdinand Koci whose wonderful work is on display at the Leeds Central Library with our poster award winners.

It was another brilliant evening celebrating the work Peter Saunders and his colleagues have been doing to promote the culture, heritage, traditions and achievements of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller communities both here in Leeds and on a national stage.
Chris

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