The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
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Oct 2014 back issue
by Gabriella Demczuk
Romania entered the European Union in 2007 but special French provisions have deterred many gypsy families from
acquiring work permits, forcing them to live in the country illegally and remain social and economic outcasts.
While the community of gypsies in the Branley Broissiere quarter of Montreuil, France, struggle everyday to provide for
their families, they remain confident that they are giving their children a better future, even if it’s one of uncertainty.
Dora, a Roma gypsy, walks toward Hotel Gelem, a one-bedroom hotel run by five families that came to the slums of
Mur-à-Pêches in Montreuil, France, after being kicked out of their homes during a deportation led by former president
Nicolas Sarkozy. The hotel is designed for travelers to experience first-hand the living conditions of Romas – who often
struggle to find work beyond menial labor – in hopes of increasing awareness of their lifestyle as well as their culture.
Nicholas Carpaci, 7, and Flavia Carpaci, 11, watch television in their living room while their parents work. This is the
first time they have lived in a home with modern utilities since moving to France three years ago.
Daniella Carpaci shuts the curtains after cleaning their new house.
The Caldaran family sits outside their caravan in an abandoned warehouse lot in the Branly Boissière quarter of
Montreuil. Five people occupy the 40 sq. ft caravan.
A woman sells lilac flowers at the exit of the Mairie-de-Montreuil metro station. Many Roma women who can not find
work either panhandle or sell goods for money.
Alex, the group leader at Mur-à-Pêches, translated to Wall of Peaches, builds a fence out of found wood, hoping to
improve the look of their camp. The site of the camp was once renowned for its peaches during the time of the French
Royal Court and now sits right off a major highway exit. It is home to five Roma families that have been battling the
town of Montreuil, which has been trying to uproot the gypsies for development of the space.
Sarah holds a balloon of the European Commission. While Romania entered the European Union in 2007, its citizens
are subjected to special provisions under French law, including a requirement to gain residency or work permits. Many
Roma do not have proper documentation and cannot afford to apply for a permit, and must leave France after three
months if the permit is not granted. Many choose to stay illegally, believing there are still more opportunities in France
than back home.
The Roma families transformed the abandoned garage into a repair shop where people in the community can get their
bikes and other vehicles fixed.
Aman Dalil Calderan looks out her caravan, worried about the future of her family. Strict regulations on how many
individuals are permitted to remain in the warehouse lot may eventually force her family to relocate.
Vegetables begin to grow in the community garden, "La Ferme Moultoux." These crops will later be sold and used for
cooking.
Florin Carpaci and his family sell homemade gypsy cuisine and drinks at the Europe Festival at the town center of
Montreuil, which celebrates the day World War II allies officially surrendered. The Carpaci family hopes that their stand
will help the public become more familiar with the Roma gypsy culture and allow more interaction with the community,
breaking any preconceived ideas of their group.
A father consoles his son while stripping found copper wire at Mur-à-Pêches. Scrap metals can be sold for about 7
cents per kilo.
Daniella Carpaci sells homemade goods at the Europe Festival. In Romania, a Roma working at a store makes as little
as 50 euros a month.
An empty room in the Carpaci home is being renovated for their family member Eva. Many houses in Montreuil are
either in poor condition or left abandoned, which has allowed the Carpaci family to rent their current house for a very
low price through Ecodrom, a newly developed organization that acts as a liaison between the gypsies in the
community and the town's government.
Four-year-old Sarah Carpaci, left, plays with children from school while her 11-year-old cousin Flavia Carpaci, middle,
plays with their dog Rex in the alley outside their home in Montreuil. The children are the first in the Carpaci family to
attend a French school.
"I like it here. More than Romania. I have a home, food, my family; a good life," grandmother Teresia Carpaci said
about living in Montreuil.
Keys are placed on a key holder with a family portrait of the Carpaci family.
Children from Kesaj Tchavé– a group that pulls children from slums to join the performance group – perform traditional
Roma song and dance at a community center. The group travels between France and Slovakia to teach others about
gypsy culture.
