Vanishing Gypsy Neighborhoods of ISTANBUL

The demolition of Gypsy neighborhoods has been a constant factor in the rapid urbanization of Turkish cities since at least the 1950’s. The photo-documentary of Buket Sahin illustrates the the increasing discrimination process against Turkish Gypsies putting an accent on the demolition of Roma neighbourhoods in Instanbul and its impact on Roma children. Although they’ve lived for almost 1,000 years around the remains of Istanbul's Byzantine walls, Roma communities are forced to leave their homes, being exposed to much under the standard living conditions, confronting with lack of security and shaking a continuity where traditions were passed on.

Roma Migration in Europe

In collaboration with Timisoara Intercultural Institute, the festival will host a photo exhibition signed by Aurorei Ailincai, which reflects diverse aspects of Roma people in Europe as well as the impact of migration on their life and the way they are perceived by others. The event will also occasion a debate on this theme in the presence of Aurora Ailincai herself together with representatives of the Timisoara Intercultural Institute and other representative guests.
Aurora Ailincai is the coordinator of the activities of the European Council on Roma education. A photography passionate, she is now at her 3rd personal exhibition on this theme. Her work makes a valuable insight on the Roma, given her direct contact with numerous Roma communities in various parts of the continent established through the activities within the European Council as well as through her own many philanthropical and cultural activities in which she has been involved for many years.