Joakim Eskildsen: The Roma Journeys: India, Greece, Romania, Hungary, France, Russia, Finland

by Cia Rinne, Günter Grass (Foreword), Joakim Eskildsen (Photographer)

Roma, Sinti, Calé--whatever they'd prefer to be called, the scattered members of the largest minority in Europe are most widey known as Gypsies. Throughout their history, the Roma have been subjected to persecution, expulsion, slavery, prohibitions on the use of the Romany language and other creative attempts to assimilate, misuse or extinguish their peoples. Throughout Europe, attitudes towards them remain at least suspicious, and many still face direct discrimination. Cia Rinne and Joakim Eskildsen have visited Roma in seven different countries between 2000 and 2006, often staying with families in order to photograph and write about their lives, their culture and their situation. In The Roma Journeys they document these encounters with Eskildsen's moody color images and Rinne's sympthetic essays, and offer a rare view into a little-known life. With a foreword from Günter Grass and an enclosed CD with field recordings and music recorded on the authors' journeys.

Genres: Photography

416 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

A Danish/Swedish/Finnish/German poet.

Reviews

[Timo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant photographic book about the life of Roma (i.e. gypsies) people around the world. The writer and photographer have spent a few years among their subjects, in India, France, Greece, Russia and Finland, for example. Their bond with these people shows in the photos Eskildsen has taken. Expect a few serious thoughts when you face the truth about the circumstances in which these nomadic people live!

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant collection of photos that portrays the true essence of life for modern Roma people living around the world. While my fascination with this culture led me to find this book, I think anyone would be moved by these images.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures tell the whole story...very poignant!