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Romani culture takes the spotlight at the French Institute

A true cultural event amid political amnesia in Sofia, Bulgaria

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Kali Sara: How the Romani hid their Goddess in plain sight

May 27, 2024 • Martina Petkova and Pepi Mustafov

The Romani don’t do small talk

Jul 12, 2022 • Martina Petkova and Pepi Mustafov

Untethered Together: The unofficial and unscripted nature of Romani marriages

Aug 22, 2023 • Martina Petkova and Pepi Mustafov

"Be a woman": The Romani have no King. They have Queens.

Sep 18, 2023 • Martina Petkova and Pepi Mustafov

The Sky and Earth Know

The Sky and Earth Know

A glimpse into Romani culture

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Why we use "Roma" and "Romani" instead of "Gypsy"

🎶 Romani Music 🎶

O duśmani | "The enemy"

by Safet Ibrahimi

Dec 13, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Mig Mig | "Blink blink"

by Sofi Marinova

Dec 6, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Jastar amenge dur | "Let's run far away"

by Notis Sfakianakis

Nov 29, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Balval | "Wind"

by Sofi Marinova

Nov 22, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

The Roma Life

"Tying up the money" or how cash in Romani hands appears to melt away

Have you heard how rich people, especially generationally wealthy ones, don’t carry around cash?

Feb 6 •

Martina Petkova

and

"Come make a quick 1,000": The Romani signatures underpinning organized crime

“He arrived in a 300,000 BGN Mercedes.

Jan 27 •

Martina Petkova

and

"Was the wedding cursed?" Our Romani tribe's year in 30 pictures

As this year draws to its end, we will tell you some stories - more with pictures, less with words.

Dec 9, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Vela's grand Limo ride from the crisis center

or how the Roma roll like royalty

Nov 5, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Turning trash into treasure: What the Romani do with discarded machines

the hidden economy of recycling in the Roma world

Oct 28, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Is it true?

Do the Roma habitually slaughter each other with axes in melees?

the psychology of mass fights in Romani culture

Feb 12 •

Martina Petkova

and

Do the Roma ruin everything they touch?

exploring the myth of the Roma leaving desolation in their wake

Nov 25, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Are the Roma misogynistic?

Exploring the stereotype of the woman-hating Romani man

Jul 15, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Are the Romani compulsive liars?

Let's explore what "sounds" true.

Nov 13, 2023 •

Martina Petkova

and

What you’re (not) being told about Wanda Maximoff

How far did ‘WandaVision’ explore her Romani identity?

Oct 31, 2023 •

Martina Petkova

Culture & Traditions

Romani culture takes the spotlight at the French Institute

A true cultural event amid political amnesia in Sofia, Bulgaria

Jun 9 •

Martina Petkova

Why Romani engagement ceremonies look like weddings

But are actually not.

Feb 19 •

Martina Petkova

and

Water and hard work: The Romani take on the First Footing tradition

how the Roma welcome the New Year with both optimism and clarity

Jan 20 •

Martina Petkova

and

Fusion with the drums: A glimpse into the Romani soul

the dance custom that has both strict rules and no rules at all

Dec 4, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Abduction, dowries, or love: On marriage in Romani culture

and the human reality behind the myth

Nov 18, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Past & Present

In the ashes, the Romani heart keeps beating

we'll take you on a short walk among the rubble of our demolished quarter

May 2 •

Martina Petkova

and

"They were born here and died here."

Do the Roma have a right to live where they've always lived?

Mar 20 •

Martina Petkova

and

Bugattis in the garage, Roma slaves in the streets: The empire of Rumen Gaytanski "The Wolf"

or why the Romani resort to wrapping themselves in plastic bags while their boss collects luxury cars

Sep 24, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

Why have the Romani been scapegoated for a thousand years?

The “Gypsies” versus “civilized society”

Sep 9, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

Swapped at birth: A Romani mother at the heart of a national scandal

and a quick look into how racist propaganda works

Aug 26, 2024 •

Martina Petkova

and

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