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. The work will be in two phases:
Phase one:
With the support of community elders from across the UK, AyeRight will reach out to and connect with the artists, musicians, smiths, basket makers, storytellers, poets and writers from Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and other nomadic groups in the UK whose work is driven by their connection to the natural environment – land, forests, rivers and sea, flora and fauna.
In partnership with Article 12 in Scotland, an organisation working to build capacity and social capital of young Gypsies and Travellers living in Scotland, AyeRight will work with young Scottish Gypsies and Travellers who wish to engage with community elders to develop and/or enhance their oral tradition skills and knowledge and who, in turn, will multiply their skills and knowledge across their peer group/s. With the support of Author and Storyteller Richard O’Neill and David G Pullar, great grandson of Scottish Traveller author Betsy White, this work will spotlight the cultural practice of storytelling and how it 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.
Phase two:
A gathering [or maybe two] of project participants [including a showcasing of some of the participants’ work] and other invited guests to explore the themes that have emerged during phase one.
