AyeRight and Lankelly Chase are working together to shine light on the way Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and communities are interconnected with each other, the land and all forms of life, both human and non-human. This is because we believe that there is knowledge and wisdom in the cultures and histories and that this wisdom points to different ways we can connect with each other. This work will make visible and explicit community cultural practices and how those practices connect the communities to the land. And, through intergenerational work, build and/or enhance the capacity and social capital of a core group of young Gypsies and Travellers who in the future may multiply their learning to their peers across the UK.
Since May 2022 we have been travelling across the UK speaking to Gypsies, Roma and Travellers about their connection to the land and how the land influences their creative work. Our final stop on this part of our journey will be at the Victoria Hall, Dunblane where we will speak with Scottish Gypsies, Roma and Travellers and celebrate their creative work via workshops, storytelling and music. All these conversations and events have been/are being recorded and a film will be available later in the year. The Scotland part of our journey began in June in Aberdeen where, as part of Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month [GRTHM.scot], we hosted guided walking/storytelling tours which celebrated the life and works of the Robertson family. Given the importance of their contributions to the folk stories and songs of Scotland, we felt we should make a film so that we could share their story more widely. Grateful thanks to Dr Fiona-Jane Brown for her research and narration and Martina Camatta for the filming and editing.