Gypsy Garbage / Romany Romance: 1000 years inspiring dreams and hatred

This lecture by Romany artist, writer and film maker Damian James Le Bas will consider the polarised perceptions of Roma Gypsy people, contextualising the contemporary experiences of the Roma against the history of Romany slavery, with particular reference to the Holocaust. 

Biography: Born in 1985 to a large Romani family based along the south coast of England, in 2003 Damian James won a Richard Southern scholarship to read Theology at St John's College, Oxford, graduating with the highest First in his year in 2006. Damian is the editor of Travellers' Times, the UK's only magazine for Gypsies and Travellers, and is a widely published writer, dramatist and poet. He has produced several short films and is passionate about using and promoting the Romani language (Romanès). Damian is a regular provider of comment on Romani and Traveller issues to the BBC.