A documentary history about the lead up to the 1971 London World Romani Congress.

Written and narrated by Grattan Puxon, Romani activist and general-secretary of the 1971 Congress.

Using archive footage and photographs, Grattan takes us through the 60's in Ireland where he became involved in Traveller issues, to the UK early campaigns against evictions, the setting up of the Gypsy Council and the lead up to the 1971 Congress. The film shows the leading Delegates and their input into this ground breaking event. Among them are Slobodan Berberski, Fajk Abdi, Dr Jan Cibula, Zarko Jovanovic, Vanko Rouda, Melanie Spitta, WR Rishi, Tomas Holomek and others, plus on-screen memories from other key people who attended.

Grattan Puxon has been an activist and campaigner for the rights of the Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) community for over 50 years. He was a founding member of The Gypsy Council and was heavily involved in the campaign to stop the eviction of Dale Farm in Essex. He has contributed to the running of numerous international GRT events and was one of the co-initiators and General Secretary of the 1971 World Romani Congress in 1971. He is strongly engaged in the organisation of the Jubilee World Roma Congress in 2021, bringing together Romani activists and supporters from all over the world.

Produced and edited by Ioana Constantinescu for the 8 April 2021 Jubilee celebrations organised by the Jubilee London Committee. Recorded entirely on zoom during the UK Covid restrictions.

This will be screen on Zoom and a link will be send to you closer to the date