GITANOS CATALANES/CATALAN GYPSIES

Perpignan, France

Long term project about Catalan Gypsies living in Old Saint Jacques district, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in France. With about five thousands inhabitants Saint Jaques is the biggest Roma settlement in all France. At the same time the neighbourhood is located in the historical centre of the city and government is willing to reconstruct it and to expel current citizens. Perpignan’s Gypsies are mostly Spanish Kalé descendants who came to French Catalunya in the 19th century. The citizens face xenophobia and prejudice on daily basis. This project aims to document their unique life style in order to amplify knowledge about their culture, traditions and bring understanding among their neighbours.