Description of the situation

In France, Roma culture is quite developed in several types of arts:

 

Music:

The Gypsy music has had, contrary to what one might notice, some influence on Western European music and music in general. Even if it seems difficult to justify it because of the limited resources in this regard, Gypsy music has spread across Europe since ancient times, long before the arrival of the communities. At the beginning of their venue, the Gypsies did not bring any particular instrument nor any songs but they revived what had already existed and had almost been forgotten. The Roma people brought their style and completed the European musical landscape. Since then, they have become one of the only still active folklore in Europe.

There are many artists of gypsy origins renowned in France:

Django Reinhardt (1910-1953) ; Georges Cziffra (1921-1994) ; Manitas de Plata (1921-2014) ; Věra Bílá (1954) ; Rosario Flores (1963) ; Gipsy Kings ; Sissy Atanassova ; Imre Magyari ; Kendji Girac (1996) ; Harri Stojka (1957) ; Robert Plant (1948)

 

http://www.ouest-france.fr/vie-et-culture-des-roms-au-piment-familial-vendredi-3213511

 

Writing:

The authors of Roma origin are relatively unknown in France although some have already been published. Their books usually speak about their culture, their history or their situation. Some books are also fictional stories. They are realized in different forms (novels, poems, essays ...).

Some renowned Roma authors: Luminita Cioabă, Romanian writer; Leksa Manus (Aleksandr Belugin) (1942-1998) ; Matéo Maximoff (1917-1999) ; Bronisława Wajs

Here are some works from the renowned authors about the culture and the Roma community "Romany Rye", 1843 by George Borrow ; "Gypsies and Travellers In Their Own words" by Peter Saunders ; "Gypsies" by Pushkin .

Some renowned Roma authors: Luminita Cioabă, Romanian writer; Leksa Manus (Aleksandr Belugin) (1942-1998) ; Matéo Maximoff (1917-1999) ; Bronisława Wajs.

Here are some works from the renowned authors about the culture and the Roma community "Romany Rye", 1843 by George Borrow ; "Gypsies and Travellers In Their Own words" by Peter Saunders ; "Gypsies" by Pushkin.

 

Cinema:

Gypsies are also represented and have realized some films summarising their culture and traditions. Thus, several actors and filmmakers of Roma origin are now renowned.

Here is a small non-exhaustive list of the artists of Gypsy origin or whose parents are of Gypsy origin: Fairuza Balk; Yul Brynner (1920 - 1985) Russian actor, gypsy mother; Michael Caine; Jean Constantin; Tony Gatlif (1948) director, actor, composer and film producer; Bob Hoskins; Tracey Ullman.

 

Sport:

Sport is an integral part of the Roma culture. The most popular sport is football. Several Roma people have experienced successful careers in sports, particularly in France. Here is a list of sportspersons of gypsy origin or whose parents are of Gypsy origin and are renowned in France: Tony Vairelles (1973) French footballer; Jacques Abardonado (1978) French footballer; Eric Cantona (1966) French footballer; Patricia Chéreau (1977) French Karateka; Pierre-Yves André (1974) French footballer

 

References:

CHANSEL D. ; [online] Les Roms à l'écran: Les Roms sur les écrans d'Europe...ou les couleurs de la liberté; Bruxelles; Le Conseil de l'Europe; available on: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/roma/Source/Roma_screen_FR.pdf