Europe, France, Camargue, Saintes Maries de la Mer. Guardians on horseback and Gypsy pilgrims enter the sea during the procession. The Gypsy festival "le Pelerinage des Gitans aux Saintes Maries de la Mer" takes place every year in mid May. Gypsies arrive from all over Europe a few weeks before the main festival days, the 24th and 25th May. The pilgrimmage is Catholic but many Gypsies, Manouche, Gitans, Roma come to see their patron 'Saint Sara' and for the festival atmosphere, the yearly gathering of friends, the music and dance. Gypsies are still regarded with much distrust and racism, they are not liked by the shopkeepers but are well treated by the gentry, especially the Baroncelli family who were instrumental in making this officially a Gypsy festival. One Hundred years ago the Gypsies were not allowed into the church, as it is they still have to camp outside the town.
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