Remains of makeshift Roma camp, where Darius, victim of a lynching, used to live, opposite Cite des Poetes, Pierrefitte-sur_seine, Paris suburbs Darius, a 16-year-old adolescent, Roma Gypsy who lived with his family in the Paris suburbs, is still in a coma, caught between life and death one week after being dragged from the camp where he and his family lived, very badly beaten up and left dumped in a supermarket trolley. No arrests have been made of any suspects in the case; he was victim of a lynching by a balaclava-wearing vigilante mob who accused Darius of burgling a nearby apartment. Pierrelafitte, Paris banlieu, France

The Baptiste family evening in their home. French Gitans, in the south of France, are full of spirit. They live as strong communal families with everyone looking after the children, living and breathing the rythmns of rhumba and flamenco music. Any chance to celebrate brings song and dance together with 'palmas' hand clapping. Some work the markets, others doing building, cleaning or maintenance work. Some live in municipal apartments others in caravans. They most often live within their own communities, distrustful of outsiders, and experience problems of innercity life, and of racism. Roma people have suffered a history of racial persecution for centuries. Though mainly sedentary living in houses and apartments, they are still viewed from the outside as 'Les gens de voyage'. Many will holiday, take seasonal work or go to religious festival in their caravans, coming back to their house over for the rest of the year. Southern France

The wedding day is the most important day of the Gitane bride's life, where she moves from a girl to womanhood. French Gitans, in the south of France, are full of spirit, they live and breathe to the rythms of rumba and flamenco music and dance. Any chance to celebrate brings song and dance together with 'palmas', hand clapping. Before or during the wedding, the bride makes her difficult transition from a girl to womanhood, where her honesty is tested in secret, by the elder women of her clan, with the 'mouchoir' handkerchief. The bride will typically have three wedding dresses, the first one is white for her religious faith, and that is a traditional marriage colour for Roma, secondly a special robe which is the proof of her honesty to match the hankerchief, the french word the 'mouchoir' where the flower stains are her proof, and the final bridal gown is usually an over the top carnival outfit. The groom's outfits will match the brides in colour, but the groom will not have seen his fiancee's outfits until the day of the wedding, when she wears them. Thousands can attend very big wedding celebrations which can sometimes last until daybreak. Men in the bride's family often tear their shirts in honour of her transition. There can be well known Gitan musicians and singers, especially from the families of the Reyes and Balliardo, such as Manitas de Plata or members of the Gypsy Kings group, they are family, cousins, uncles or great uncles. In Roma tradition the men congregate with the men and the women stay with the women. Everyone will dance with the bride, one after another, some putting money into a hat, for luck and helping the married couple on their way.

French Manouche in northern France, celibrating a Roma Catholic christening for two young girls in their family. The numbers of Catholic Roma are dwindling as many are poached by the quickly expanding Evangelist movement.The Born Again Evangelist religion presents itself more as a fanatical overbearing culture refusing to take on board many of the old traditional Romani ways. Concepts of luck and fortune are replaced by god fearing destiny, traditional music and dance cast aside, whilst drinking alcohol is forbidden

Born Again Christening. Roma Evangelist 'Born Again Christians' assemble under the big top of a huge marquee, in a disused aerodrome. Many Roma are christened here, wholly submerged under water to purge their vows, to be literally born again. Thousands of Roma have been poached from the Catholic church to become evangelists; a religion presenting itself more as a fanatical overbearing culture refusing to take on board many of the old traditional Romani ways. Concepts of luck and fortune are replaced by god fearing destiny, traditional music and dance cast aside, whilst drinking alcohol is forbidden. August mid summer, Saone, France

Manitas de Plata, the famous and celebrated, gitan gypsy rhumba & flamenco guitarist. He grew up in Arles in the mid 20th Century and rose to fame, playing guitar with the gitan gypsy singer Jose Reyes. They travelled the world playing even in Carnegie Hall, and were patronized by the likes of Picasso, Dali, Cocteau and Bardot. The sons of the Reyes and Balliardo now make up the 'Gypsy Kings' group. Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer, Montpellier, Southern France

Roma East European migrants demonstrate and march through the streets of Paris and Paris Banlieu. Sick of persecution, racism and suffering, they wish to be able to live in a proper home, send their children to school, the right to work.To be recognised as european citizens with equal opportunities for work, education and a healthy lifestyle.

The Inauguration of the European Roma Travellers Forum, at the Council of Europe, Strasbourg December 2005. An historic moment for Roma Gypsies across Europe. The opening plenary assembly. Roma self-determination is recognized officially at European level. Roma ambassadors, diplomats and representatives of Roma and Human Rights organizations come together

A Roma encampment, made up of broken down caravans and squats, next to the Seine Canal leading into Paris at the intersection borders of Bobigny, Noissy le Sec and Paris, was destroyed and the Roma Gypsies evicted during the morning of March 29th 2011. Romanian gypsies had been living there a few years Rom Roma roms rroms tzigane tsigane zigeuner zingari gypsy gipsy manouche sinti police policier gendarme eviction expulsion paris banlieu suburbs racist racism deportation camp camping caravan destruction devastation homeless SDF european sarkozy aggression CRS moving house home canal bondy bobigny noissy ile de france

Memorial for the Concentration Camp for Gitan Gypsies at Saliers Camargue France. During the Gypsy Pilgrimmage of Saintes Maries de la Mer Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer, Gypsy Pilgrimmage 'Pelerinage des Gitans aux Saintes Maries de la Mer'. Gypsies from all over the world come to celebrate their patron Saint Sara who is carried by them from the church to the sea-shore. May 24th and 25th every year

Gitans and Manouche carry their emblems during the religious pilgrimmage to Lourdes, southern France. Many also go to Saintes Maries de la Mer Europe, France, Lourdes Catholic Gypsy pilgrimmage

Eastern European Roma refugees come to to Western Europe to get away from their native countries where they lack opportunities and sometimes live in ghettos, villages and camps without amenities, sometimes totally off grid, without electricity or running water. The living conditions that they are forced to endure encamped next to Western European cities are not much better, if actually worse than their life at home, yet they have access to income streams, such as working in the informal recycling industry, picking up discarded metal on the city streets, and selling the raw materials to scrapyards for recycling. In fact even though the life they lead is hard, they can earn a comparatively better living than in Eastern Europe, and bring money back to their families in Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Czech Republic. Eastern European Roma, however, are often subject to strict border controls by police and immigration officials. UK immigration have been occasionally aided by Czech Roma Police Special forces to check incoming peoples racial identity, through their appearance, names or other means, and often disallow certain groups of Roma from crossing the frontier.

Roma squatter camps in the snow, at Christmas time. Some of the largest Roma encampments 'bidounvilles' outside Paris. Roma are likely to be allowed to live here six months before being forcibly evicted from their homes. Winter, Sarcelles and Clemart, in Paris northern suburbs, France

Roma demonstration near Paris. Vilhem Covaci's family, supported by his local Roma community march through the streets of Aubervilliers. They question the suspicious death of this young Roma man 'Vilhem Covaci' who drowned in the canal, fleeing police in the northern suburb of Aubervilliers on the outskirts of Paris 2006, France Roma East European migrants demonstrate and march through the streets of Paris and Paris Banlieu. Sick of persecution, racism and suffering, they wish to be able to live in a proper home, send their children to school, the right to work.To be recognised as european citizens with equal opportunities for work, education and a healthy lifestyle.

Roma gypsies carry Saint Sara from the church of Saintes Maries de la Mer to the sea on the 24th May. It is "Le Pelerinage des Gitans"; the French gypsy pilgrimage in Camargue, France Sainte Sara is an uncannonized saint, who legend says looked after the Christian Saints Marie Jacobe and Marie Salome, cousins of Mary Magdalene, who arrived, it is said, on the shores of the Camargue in a rudderless boat. Saint Sara is the patron saint of gypsies who come from far and wide to see her. There are even paintings of Sara as 'Kali' the black saint in Eastern Europe. Sara may have been the priestess of 'Ra' the sun-god or even servant girl to the Christian saints. No-one really knows. For a few weeks of the year, Roma, Gitan and Manouche gypsies come from all over Europe in May, camping in caravans around Saintes Maries de la Mer. It is a festive time where they play music, dance, party and christen their children. They all go to see Saint Sara in the crypt, kissing or touching her forehead. Many put robes on her shoulders, making her fat for the procession. In the main Gypsy procession of the 24th May, Saint Sara is allowed to leave her crypt, beneath the church, and is carried from the church to the shores of the mediteranean and back again. One day a year she is free from her prison. Hundred's of years ago the Gypsies used not even to be allowed into the church, only into the crypt like Sara...

Ariel view over Saintes Maries de la Mer during the pelerinage des gitans. Caravan sites camping for gens de voyages, Roma, Gitan and maounche at Saintes Maries de la Mer for the Gypsy festival Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer. The seaside town in the Camargue hosts a Gypsy festival once a year during May, where its landscape undergoes great changes. Otherwise it is a land bordered by sea, lakes and ponds, populated by flamengos, bulls and horses.

Gitans dance and play music by campfires and in the restaurants during the Gypsy Pilgrimmage of Saintes Maries de la Mer Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer, Gypsy Pilgrimmage 'Pelerinage des Gitans aux Saintes Maries de la Mer'. Gypsies from all over the world come to celebrate their patron Saint Sara who is carried by them from the church to the sea-shore. May 24th and 25th every year

A proud Romani with his bears from the Carpathian Mountains. The musicians and bears of Urs Kapatz. The procession of Saint Sara leaves the church and makes its way down to the seashore, surrounded by thousands of Roma, Gypsy, Gitan and Manouche pligrims, and flanked by Traditional Camargaise Guardians and their horses. Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer. Gypsy music, dance and occasionally even bears are part of the traditional culture brought by Gypsies to the festival at Saintes Maries de la Mer, May every year. The Gypsy pilgrimmage brings gypsies from all over Europe for their annual festival.

Musicians from the famous Doerr family, play guitars and violins in the camping to celebrate Saint Sara. Music is their life blood, an essential part of Roma, Gitan and Manouche culture. Often a singer will improvise on an old song, singing praises on homage to someone or of love or sorrow, of persecution ill treatment. Their history is often remembered, and shared in songs rather than written down Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer. Gypsy music, dance and occasionally even bears are part of the traditional culture brought by Gypsies to the festival at Saintes Maries de la Mer, May every year. The Gypsy pilgrimmage brings gypsies from all over Europe for their annual festival.

The Manouche family of Pepe LaFleur, who had more than 70 grand children, he was king of his clan. A devout pilgrim, charismatic character ever present at Saintes Maries de la Mer for the Gypsy Festival for decades. Pepe LaFleur always well dressed with flashy shirts, hats and heavy gold jewelery, living all year round in a beautiful and traditional wooden wagon a 'roulotte' with effigies of Saint Sara and lace curtains. He always carried the Manouche Gypsy Standard 'Le pelerinage des Gitans' to the sea with his cousins Papa Jean Reyes, brother of the famous José Reyes father to the Gypsy KIngs. Papa Jean was uncle to the Gypsy Kings Reyes family, a snappy dresser always elegant and a hit with the women. Jesus and Marie, Gitan gypsies and devout followers of Saint Sara, and the market place and Mairie of Saintes Maries de la Mer. Manitas de Plata - Little hands of Silver - Ricardo Baliardo. Famous Gitan guitarist outside the church surounded by admirers at Saintes Maries de la Mer during the Gypsy pilgrimmage Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer. The Gypsies, pilgrims and participants of the festival at Saintes Maries. The Gypsy festuval attracts many well known characters, both visiting Gypsies and locals all dressed up for the occasion. Everyone loves to dress up and are proud of their traditions and culture.

Gitans praying to Saint Sara and the Saintes Maries in the church mass 'La descent de la Chasse' during the Gypsy pilgrimmage at Saintes Maries de la Mer Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer, Gypsy Pilgrimmage 'Pelerinage des Gitans aux Saintes Maries de la Mer'. Gypsies from all over the world come to celebrate their patron Saint Sara who is carried by them from the church to the sea-shore. May 24th and 25th every year

Gypsy Roma and Gitan pilgrims carry Saint Sara to the seashore during the Gypsy Pilgrimmage of Saintes Maries de la Mer Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer, Gypsy Pilgrimmage 'Pelerinage des Gitans aux Saintes Maries de la Mer'. Gypsies from all over the world come to celebrate their patron Saint Sara who is carried by them from the church to the sea-shore. May 24th and 25th every year

A beautiful german woman flamenco dancer joins the gitans in a late night soiree. Music is their life blood, an essential part of Roma, Gitan and Manouche culture. Often a singer will improvise on an old song, singing praises on homage to someone or of love or sorrow, of persecution ill treatment. Their history is often remembered, and shared in songs rather than written down. Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer. Gypsy music, dance and occasionally even bears are part of the traditional culture brought by Gypsies to the festival at Saintes Maries de la Mer, May every year. The Gypsy pilgrimmage brings gypsies from all over Europe for their annual festival.

Musicians from the famous Doerr family, play guitars and violins in the surf after the procession of Saint Sara. Music is their life blood, an essential part of Roma, Gitan and Manouche culture. Often a singer will improvise on an old song, singing praises on homage to someone or of love or sorrow, of persecution ill treatment. Their history is often remembered, and shared in songs rather than written down Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer. Gypsy music, dance and occasionally even bears are part of the traditional culture brought by Gypsies to the festival at Saintes Maries de la Mer, May every year. The Gypsy pilgrimmage brings gypsies from all over Europe for their annual festival.

Gitan, Sinti and Manouche Roma pilgrims come to meet their beloved Saint Sara, the patron saint of the Gypsies, in her place in the crypt, black and full of soot from the candles around her statue. Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer. Saint Sara, the patron saint of the gitans. Gypsies come from all over Europe to pay hommage to her during the 'pelerinage des gitans' the gypsy pilgrimmage. They camp around the seaside town for 2 weeks of the year, where they are tolerated by the locals. The carry Saint Sara and the Saintes Maries from the church to the seashore in two cermonies on the 24th and 25th of May every year.

On ne sait pas exactement combien de centaines d'années les Gitans ont visité les Saintes Maries-de-la-Mer, chaque année en mai, pour rendre hommage à leur sainte Sara. Mais ce n'est que dans les années 1930 pour la première fois que les Gitans ont été autorisés à participer et transporter la tsigane Sainte Sara de l'église à la mer. Ce changement de circonstances était dû à la supplications du marquis de Baroncelli, un noble camarguais qui avait voyagé aux États-Unis, se lie d'amitié avec Buffalo Bill et les Indiens Sioux, et plus tard les Gitans. Pendant des siècles auparavant, les Tsiganes n'étaient même pas autorisés à entrer dans l'église elle-même. Ils ne pouvaient entrer que par le porte arrière et en bas dans la crypte noire de suie où Sara, une sainte non canonisée, se tient toute l'année. Seulement un jour par an, elle est élevée à l'église, le 24 mai pour sa procession. "Viva les Saintes Maries, Viva Sainte Sara "pleure les Gitans français dans la messe de l'église, sur la route de la plage, sur le sable et finalement le surf méditerranéen comme Sara est transportée au bord de la mer et ramenée à l'église, à travers les rues de la ville balnéaire de Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer sur les épaules de son peuple. Sara est une légende, qui elle était et d'où elle est venue est l'étoffe de la légende. Peut-être était-elle la servante du deux Saintes Maries, Jacobe et Salomé, cousines de Marie-Madeleine, qui avaient été jetées à la dérive des côtes palestiniennes avec un bateau sans gouvernail. La légende dit qu'il avait dérivé sur les rives de la Camargue dans le sud de la France. Peut-être qu'elle était la prêtresse en chef de Ra, le dieu du soleil, et elle prenait soin des deux Maries. Les Tsiganes du monde entier l'aiment et considèrent Sara comme leur sainte patronne. Elle est souvent connue sous le nom de Sara la Kali et des images de la Sainte noire sont souvent trouvé même, dans des maisons tsiganes, loin au l'Europe de l'Est. Pour un bref séjour à la mi-mai chaque année, les Gitans français catholiques et Manouche, les Sinti allemands et italiens, et d'autres Roms tsiganes garent leurs caravanes en bordure de cette petite ville balnéaire de Camargue, où les nouveau-nés les enfants sont baptisés par des prêtres roms, des guitares et des violons sont joués autour des feux de camp, les familles se rassemblent autour d'immenses paellas, grandes fêtes, avec danses et chants, palmas (applaudissements) à la rumba ou au flamenco débordant sur le rues pavées et autour de l'église. Ils prient sainte Sara dans la crypte, chaque famille tsigane apportant une dentelle ou de la soie manteau, fleurs, collier ou diadème pour orner leur sainte patronne. Sara porte de nouveaux vêtements chaque année, sa graisse corporelle et lourd de robes de couleurs différentes pour chacune de ses processions annuelles. C'est une période de l'année où les gitans et les non-gitans ont pendant des années célébré ensemble leur amitié et leurs alliances.

Romanian Roma Gypsies leave their makeshift squatter camp, after being forcibly evicted. The camp will be destroyed by bulldozers the same day. Seine St Denis, Paris suburbs Roma Gypsies in Paris: Romanian Roma living in difficulty who have come to France looking for a better live, find themselves in a similiar predicament, facing racism from the general populus and systematic controls and evictions from their makeshift squatter camps in the suburbs and temporary places of abode inside Paris. Some recycle metal or suft through the rubbish bins looking for items to sell. Others beg or play music looking for handouts from passers by. Paris and Banlieu, Ile de France, France April 2014