Most interesting material is my personal translation from ru.wikipedia.org

National Symbols of Roma People

April 8, 1971, London hosted the first World Romani Congress. The result of the Congress was the recognition of a world united Roma non-territorial nation and adoption of national symbols: the flag and anthem, based on the folk song “Djelem, Djelem” instead of recognizable symbols: the wheel carriage, a horseshoe, a deck of cards. These symbols are usually decorated with Gypsy books, newspapers, magazines and websites, one of these characters are usually included in the logos of events dedicated to the Roma culture.

In honor of the first World Romani Congress on April 8th is the Day of Roma. Some Roma have associated practices: in the evening, at a certain time, carry a lighted candle on the street.

Early history (VI-XV century)

According to the linguistic and genetic research, the ancestors of the Roma came from India in the VI century, a group of about 1000 people. Supposedly, according to the custom of the time they were presented as one of the court musicians of the Indian rulers of the Persian ruler.

As the most popular version, about 400 years they spent in Persia, before gradually began to disperse over the world, to the east, back to India and Central Asia (the ancestors of present Lullaby), and to the west in Palestine, and through it to Egypt (ancestors house), and through Armenia to the Byzantine Empire (ancestors Bosch, Roma, Sinti and Kale).

Gypsies in Europe are descendants of Roma living in the Byzantine Empire. Documents show that the Roma lived in the heart of the empire, and on its outskirts, and there is a big part of the Roma adopted Christianity.

In Byzantium, Gypsies rapidly integrated into society. In some places, their ring leader, have been given certain privileges. Written references to the Roma that period are scarce, but it does not appear that the Gypsies provoked some special interest or be perceived as marginal or criminal groups. Gypsies are referred to as the master of working with metal, manufacturers of harness, saddles, diviners (in Byzantium it was the usual occupation), trainers (and in the earliest sources – the snake charmers, and only later – bear trainers). At the same time the most common craft, apparently, were all the same artistic and blacksmith, entire villages are mentioned Roma blacksmiths.

With the collapse of the Byzantine Empire, the Roma began to migrate to Europe. The first, based on written European sources, in Europe, marginal profit, adventure-minded representatives of the people, begging, fortune-telling and petty theft, which marked the beginning of a negative perception of Roma as a people among Europeans. Only later artists, trainers, craftsmen, horsemen began arriving to Europe.

Gypsies in Western Europe (XV – beginning of XX century)

The first gypsies, who came to Western Europe, were penalized by Pope to wander for seven years because of denying Christian faith in earlier times. Initially, the authorities provided them with patronage: to give food, money and safety certificates. Eventually, when the time wandering clearly expired, such indulgences stopped, Gypsies were ignored.

Meanwhile in Europe has matured economic and social crisis. Its result was the adoption of a series of cruel laws in the countries of Western Europe, aimed, inter alia, against the representatives of stray professions, as well as just beggars, whose numbers increased greatly because of the crisis that, apparently, created a situation conducive to crime. Nomadic, semi-or attempted to settle, but impoverished Roma were also victims of these laws. They were isolated in a special group of vagrants, describing a separate decrees, the first of which was released in Spain in 1482.

Examples of anti-Romani laws from the book “History of the Roma. New Look” (N. Bessonov, N. Demeter) :

Sweden. Act of 1637 prescribes hanging Roma male.

Mainz. 1714. Death to all grasped within the state of the Gypsies. Spanking and kleymlenie hot iron for women and children.

England. By law, in 1554 the death penalty for men. According to an additional order of Elizabeth I of the law was toughened. Now punishment awaited “Those who drive or will drive a friendship or acquaintance with the Egyptians.” Already in 1577, under the decree were seven British and one Englishwoman. All of them were hanged in Eylesberi.

Historian Scott Mekfi has 148 laws passed in the German states from XV to XVIII Century. They were about the same, diversity manifests itself only in the details. Thus, in Moravia to Roma cut off his left ear, in Bohemia right. In archduchy Austrian preferred brand, and so on.

Perhaps the most brutal was Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia. In 1725 he ordered put to death all Roma men and women over the age of eighteen years.

As a result of persecution of Gypsies in Western Europe, first, strongly criminalized because do not have the opportunity to legally earn a livelihood, and secondly, almost cultural mothballed (still gypsies of Western Europe are considered the most suspicious and committed to a literal following of the ancient traditions). They also had to fight a particular way of life: to travel at night, hiding in forests and caves, which strengthened the suspicion of the population, but also gave rise to rumors of cannibalism, Satanism, vampirism and oborotnichestve Roma, a consequence of these rumors was the appearance of related myths about the kidnapping and especially children (for human consumption or for Satanic rituals) and a potential for evil spell.

Part of the Roma managed to avoid reprisals, to enlist as soldiers or indentured servants (smiths, saddlers, grooms, etc.) in countries where active recruitment was a soldier (Sweden, Germany). Their families have thus also been exempted from the strike. Ancestors of Russian Gypsies came to Russia through Poland from Germany, where most were in the army or the army, so at first, among other Gypsies they were nicknamed, translated roughly as “the army Gypsy.”

Canceling anti-Roma law coincides with the beginning of the industrial revolution and the exit of Europe from the economic crisis. After the abolition of these laws has begun the process of integration of Roma in European society. Thus, during the XIX century, Gypsies in France, according to Jean-Pierre was lying, author of the article «Bohemiens et pouvoirs publics en France du XV-e au XIX-e siecle», have mastered the profession by which they were found, and even started to appreciate: they sheared sheep, wove baskets, sold, hired day laborers in seasonal agricultural work, were the dancers and musicians.

But by the time anti-Romani myth is firmly rooted in the European consciousness. These should now be possible to see in the literature linking the Roma with a passion for the abduction of children (whose goals over time less and less clear), transmogrification and service vampires.

Cancellation anti-Roma law at that time did not occur in all European countries. Thus, in Poland on Nov. 3, 1849 was accepted by the arrest of nomadic gypsies. For each detainee gypsy police pay premium amounts. As a result, the police would grab not only the nomadic, but sedentary Roma, recording arrested as vagrants, and children – as adults (to get more money). After the Polish rebellion of 1863, this law is slacked.

You may also notice that since the abolition of anti-Romani laws among the Roma began to appear, stand and be recognized in society netsyganskom gifted in certain fields of personality, which is another indication of the current more or less favorable for the Roma situation. For example, in Britain in the XIX and early XX century, this preacher Rodney Smith, a football player Raby Howell, a broadcaster and writer George Bramwell Evens, Spain – Franciscan Ceferino Jimenez Mallia, tokaor Ramón Montoya Salazar, Sr.; France – jazz Ferre Brothers, Django Reinhardt ; in Germany – Boxer Johann Trollmann.

Gypsies in Eastern Europe (XV – beginning of XX century)

In the early XV century, a substantial part of the Byzantine Roma led semi-sedentary. Gypsies were known not only in the areas of Byzantine Greek, but also in Serbia, Albania, land of modern Romania and Hungary. They settled villages or urban suburb, about to compact on the basis of kinship and the profession. The main trades were working with iron and precious metals, cutting of wood household items, basketry. We lived in these areas and the nomadic gypsies, who also engaged in handicrafts or circus performances with trained bears.

In 1432 the king of Hungary Zsigmond gave Roma exemption from taxes because they have played an important role in the defense of territory. Gypsies do cannonballs, bladed weapons, harness and armor to soldiers.

After the conquest of the Balkan Muslims, most of the craftsmen remained in their places, because their work has remained in demand. In Muslim sources described as a master of the Gypsies, who under the force of any fine work in metal, including the manufacture of guns. Gypsies, Christians are often caught guarantee security for themselves and their families, serving the Turkish army. A significant number of Roma in Bulgaria is horrible with the Turkish army (which was the reason for their rather cool relations with the local population).

Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror imposed a tax on the Roma, but recovered from his armory, as well as those Roma who lived in fortresses. Even then, some Roma began to accept Islam. This process has accelerated as a consequence of further policy of Islamization by the Turks conquered lands, among whom were raising taxes to the Christian people. Because of this policy, the Gypsies of Eastern Europe is actually divided into Muslims and Christians. In the Turks and Roma were first sold into slavery (for the debts of tax), but this was not widespread.

In the XVI century the Turks had taken considerable effort on the census of Roma. In Ottoman documents detailing the age, occupation and other necessary tax data. In the case been made even nomadic groups. The list of professions was very extensive: the documents from the Balkan archives lists blacksmiths, tinker butchers painters, shoemakers, watchmen, Sherstobitov, walkers, tailors, shepherds, etc.

In general, the Ottoman policy towards the Roma can be called soft. This had both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, the Gypsies were not criminalized group, as in Western Europe. However, local people write them down in the “pets” of the Turkish authorities, resulting in attitude towards them was a cold or even hostile. Thus, in the Moldavian and Gypsy Voloska principalities declared slaves “from birth”, and each belonged to the Roma owner of the land on which he caught the decree. Ibid, for several centuries the Roma are subjected to rigorous punishment, torture for the sake of entertainment and mass executions. Trade serf-Gypsies and torture practiced against them until the middle of the XIX century. Here is a sample of announcements of sale:

1845

Sons and heirs of the deceased Serdar Nicholas Niko, in Bucharest, sold 200 families of Roma. Men mostly mechanics, goldsmiths, shoemakers, musicians and farmers.

and 1852:

Monastery of St.. Elijah on sale the first lot of Roma slaves, 8 May 1852, consisting of 18 men, 10 boys, 7 women and 3 girls: in fine condition

In 1829, the Russian Empire won the war with the Turks, Moldavia and Wallachia moved under its control. Ruler was temporarily appointed Adjutant-General Kiselev. He insisted on amending the Civil Code of Moldova. Among other things, in 1833 for the Gypsies has been recognized as a person, which meant a ban on killing them. Section was introduced, under which a gypsy woman, compelled to become the concubine of her master, was freed after his death.

Influenced by the progressive minds of Russia, the idea of the abolition of serfdom began to spread in the Moldovan and Romanian society. Contribute to the dissemination and students studying abroad. In September 1848 the streets of Bucharest hosted the youth demonstrations calling for the abolition of serfdom. Some of the landowners voluntarily freed their slaves. However, the majority of slave owners were opposed to new ideas. In order not to cause them displeasure, the Government of Moldova and Wallachia acted roundabout way: ransomed slaves from their owners and released. Finally, in 1864, slavery was prohibited by law.

After the abolition of slavery began active emigration of Roma Kalderash of Wallachia in Russia, Hungary and other countries. By the beginning of World War II Kalderash could be found in almost all European countries.

Gypsies in Russia, Ukraine and the USSR (the end of XVII – beginning of XX century)

The earliest Russian official document mentioning the Roma, is from 1733 – Decree Anna Ivanovna of new taxes on the military:

In addition to the contents of the regiments now determine the charges to the Roma, as in Little Russia to collect them, and in suburban shelves and in the Great Russian cities and counties assigned to suburban shelves, and for this fee to determine the specific rights, as the Roma in the census have not been written . In this instance the report of Lieutenant-General Prince Shahovskoy was explained, among other things, that the Roma in the census could not write because they do not live yards.

The next mention in the documents comes a few months shows that the Gypsies came to Russia on shortly before the enactment of the tax and establishes their right to live in Ingria. Prior to that, apparently, their status was not defined in Russia, but now they were allowed to:

live and trade horses, and as they proved to be some local natives, it was ordered to include them in the poll census where to live so wish, and put in a layout at Horse Guards regiment.

By the phrase “proved to be some local natives” can understand that the generation of Roma living in this area was at least second.

Even earlier, about a century, the Roma (Group servy) appeared on the territory of modern Ukraine. As we see, at the time of writing a document they have already paid taxes, you have lived legally. In Russia, new ethnic groups Roma appeared with the expansion of territory. Thus, upon accession to the Russian Empire of Poland, in Russia there were Polska Roma Bessarabia – various Moldovan gypsies, Crimea – Crimean Gypsies.

In 1829, a decree of Catherine II on December 21 1783 Gypsies counted towards the peasant class and instructed to charge them commensurate estate taxes and taxes. However, Roma were also permitted to assign a request to the other classes (except, of course, noble, and with appropriate lifestyle), and by the end of XIX century Russian Gypsies bourgeois and merchant classes were already quite a lot (for the first time the Gypsies as representatives of these classes were mentioned, but even in 1800). During the XIX century, a steady process of integration and settling Russian Gypsies, usually associated with an increase in financial well-being of families. There was a layer of professional artists.

Read more about Russian Gypsies and involvement in history of Russia (in Russian).

At the end of XIX century in the school gave the children not only settled Gypsies, but nomadic (becoming winter quartered in the village). In addition to the above-mentioned groups in the population of the Russian Empire entered Lyuli Asian, Caucasian Karachi and Bosch, but in the early XX century, more and Lowary and Kalderash.

The Revolution of 1917 destroyed to the most educated part of the Roma population (as she also was the wealthiest) – Representatives of the merchant class, as well as the gypsy dancers, whose main source of income were speech to the gentry and merchants. Many wealthy Roma families abandoned their belongings and left in camp, as the nomadic Gypsies during the Civil War is automatically attributed to the poor. The poor are not touched by the Red Army, and the nomadic gypsies had touched almost none. Some Roma families emigrated to Europe, China and the U.S.. Young Romani boys could be found in the Red Army and the White, because the social stratification of Russian Gypsies and servov the beginning of XX century it was already considerable.

After the Civil War, the Roma among the former merchants that have become nomadic, tried to limit their children’s communication with netsyganami not allowed in school, in fear that children will give chance nebednyatskoe origin families. As a result, illiteracy was among the nomadic gypsies almost completely. In addition, the number of settled Roma, which are based on just before the Revolution, merchants and artists, has been sharply reduced. By the end of the 20-ies the problem of illiteracy and the large number of wandering in the Gypsy population was seen by Soviet power. The Government, together with activists from among the remaining cities of Roma artists tried to take several measures to address these problems.

Thus, in 1927 of People’s Commissars of Ukraine adopted a resolution on assistance to the nomadic gypsies in the transition to “sedentary work”.

In the late 20-ies open gypsy Pedagogical College, published literature and the press in the Romani language, Roma are boarding schools.

Gypsies and World War II

During the Second World War, according to recent studies, about 150 000-200 000 Roma in Central and Eastern Europe were exterminated by the Nazis and their allies (see Genocide of Roma). Of these, 30,000 were citizens of the USSR.

Read more (in Russian)

Site with very sensitive pictures of concentation camps (in Russian, very emotional)

On the Soviet side during the Second World War from the Crimea, together with the Crimean Tatars were deported to their co-religionists, Crimean Gypsies (Roma kyrymitika).

Gypsies were not just passive victims. Gypsies of the USSR participated in the hostilities, flat, tank drivers, drivers, pilots, gunners, medical workers and guerrillas, were to Resistance Gypsies in France, Belgium, Slovakia and the Balkan countries, and to be there during the war, gypsies from Romania and Hungary.

Gypsies in Europe and the USSR / Russia (second half of XX – beginning of XXI century)

After the Second World War, the Roma in Europe and the USSR divided into several cultural groups: the Roma of the USSR, the socialist countries, Spain and Portugal, Scandinavia, Britain and Western Europe. Inside the culture of different cultural groups of Roma ethnic groups approached each other, whereas their own cultural groups distanced themselves from each other. The cultural convergence of Roma of the USSR occurred at the base of Culture Russian Gypsies, as the largest of the Roma ethnic groups.

In the republics of the USSR was intense assimilation and integration of the Roma in society. On the one hand, the persecution of Roma by the authorities, which took place shortly before the war, not renewed. On the other hand, cultural identity, apart from music, was suppressed, was carried out propaganda on the theme of the liberation of Roma from the revolution of universal poverty formed the stereotype of poverty itself Gypsy culture to the influence of the Soviet regime (see the gypsy culture, Inga Andromkov), the cultural achievements of Roma declared achievements in the first part of the Soviet government (for example, the theater “Romen” universally known as the first and only Roma theater, the appearance of which was charged to the credit of Soviet power), the Roma of the USSR have been cut off from the European Roma Information Space (which before the Revolution maintained some connection), which is cut off Soviet Roma also on cultural achievements of European tribesmen. However, assistance from the Soviet authorities in the development of artistic culture, level of education of the Roma population of the USSR was high.

5 October 1956 issued a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On admission to employment Roma vagrants” are considered nomadic gypsies to parasites and prohibiting nomadic life. Reactions to the decree was twofold by both local authorities and by the Roma. Local authorities are performed by this decree, or giving the Roma housing and encouraging or forcing them instead of the arts and crafts and divination formal employment, or just driving away with the gypsy camps and exposing the nomadic gypsies of discrimination at the household level. Roma is a happy new housing, and easy enough to move into new living conditions (often they were gypsies with their new place of residence with friends or the sedentary Roma families who helped them with advice when making a new life), or consider starting a decree attempts to assimilate dissolve the Roma as an ethnic group and evasion of its execution. Those Gypsies that first adopted a decree neutral, but had no information and moral support, soon embraced the transition to sedentary life as a misfortune. As a result of the decree settled more than 90% of Roma of the USSR.

Gypsies in Europe and the USSR / Russia (second half of XX – beginning of XXI century)

After the Second World War, the Roma in Europe and the USSR divided into several cultural groups: the Roma of the USSR, the socialist countries, Spain and Portugal, Scandinavia, Britain and Western Europe. Inside the culture of different cultural groups of Roma ethnic groups approached each other, whereas their own cultural groups distanced themselves from each other.

The cultural convergence of Roma of the USSR occurred at the base of Culture Russian Gypsies, as the largest of the Roma ethnic groups.

In the republics of the USSR was intense assimilation and integration of the Roma in society. On the one hand, the persecution of Roma by the authorities, which took place shortly before the war, not renewed. On the other hand, cultural identity, apart from music, was suppressed, was carried out propaganda on the theme of the liberation of Roma from the revolution of universal poverty formed the stereotype of poverty itself Gypsy culture to the influence of the Soviet regime (see the gypsy culture, Inga Andromkov), the cultural achievements of Roma declared achievements in the first part of the Soviet government (for example, the theater “Romen” universally known as the first and only Roma theater, the appearance of which was charged to the credit of Soviet power), the Roma of the USSR have been cut off from the European Roma Information Space (which before the Revolution maintained some connection), which is cut off Soviet Roma also on cultural achievements of European tribesmen. However, assistance from the Soviet authorities in the development of artistic culture, level of education of the Roma population of the USSR was high.

5 October 1956 issued a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR “On admission to employment Roma vagrants” are considered nomadic gypsies to parasites and prohibiting nomadic life. Reactions to the decree was twofold by both local authorities and by the Roma. Local authorities are performed by this decree, or giving the Roma housing and encouraging or forcing them instead of the arts and crafts and divination formal employment, or just driving away with the gypsy camps and exposing the nomadic gypsies of discrimination at the household level. Roma is a happy new housing, and easy enough to move into new living conditions (often they were gypsies with their new place of residence with friends or the sedentary Roma families who helped them with advice when making a new life), or consider starting a decree attempts to assimilate dissolve the Roma as an ethnic group and evasion of its execution. Those Gypsies that first adopted a decree neutral, but had no information and moral support, soon embraced the transition to sedentary life as a misfortune. As a result of the decree settled more than 90% of Roma of the USSR.

In contemporary Eastern Europe, less in Western Europe , the Roma are often subject to discrimination in society, especially from right-wing parties in 2009 reported on attacks on Romanian Roma in Northern Ireland

In the late XX – early XXI century Europe and Russia swept by a wave of Roma migration. Impoverished or marginalized Roma from Romania, western Ukraine and the former Yugoslavia – former soc. countries that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet economic and social difficulties – went to work in the European Union and Russia. Nowadays you can see literally every crossroads of the world, women of the Roma have returned en masse to the old traditional occupation – begging.

Russia also observed although slower, but noticeable impoverishment, marginalization and criminalization of the Roma population. The average level of education is reduce and drug use by adolescents has increased. Quite often, the Gypsies are mentioned in the criminal chronicles in connection with drug trafficking and fraud. Noticeably, the popularity of Roma music has lowered. At the same time, the gypsy press and literature became revived.

In Europe and Russia is an active cultural borrowing between the Roma of different nationalities, born common Roma music and dance culture, which is strongly influenced by culture of Russian Gypsies.

Writing

Gypsies usually use writing of the peoples among whom they live. Since the Gypsies of the USSR in 1927 used the alphabet on the basis of Russian with the letter Ґ ґ with less letters Ù u and v (dialect of Russian Gypsies). In the former Yugoslavia used the alphabet based on Latin. Many publications in the Romani language was published in Russia before the Second World War (see ROMAN Katale (List of publications in the Romani language 1928-1938 years. Stored in the Russian State Library)).

There are attempts to use for recording the Romany language written on the basis of the Devanagari. His supporters say the letter the most appropriate system of phonemes and typology of Indian languages, including the Roma. In particular, the Devanagari script used as an alternative to gypsy Wikipedia. At the same time, many native speakers consider the use of Devanagari artificial and almost uncomfortable.

Roma speak Romani language Indo-Aryan group of Indo-European family, divided into a number of dialects, usually also speak languages of the peoples, among whom are sedentary or migrate.

In the Soviet Union in 1930 as the basis of literary norms of the Romany language was put dialect of Russian Gypsies. Around the world, usually for interethnic communication used dialect Kalderash as the most widely dispersed group, interspersed with words from other dialects.

Culture of the Roma

Gypsy culture is very diverse and rich. This is due to the high incidence of Roma on the light, rich, though brief, history and complexity of the ethnic composition of this non-territorial nation. Gypsy culture has a noticeable influence on the musical culture of the world (particularly Romanian, Hungarian, Balkan, Spanish folk music, as well as the classical music of the XIX century, Jazz (see Jazz Manush, Django Reinhardt), Flamenco).

See more pictures of different ethnical Gypsy groups (excellent information in Russian)

Poem to a Gypsy wedding by Marina Zvetaeva (1917)

From under the hoofs – Dirt flies.

Facing – Shawl, like a shield.

No young Newlyweds, have fun!

Hey, carry them out Horse hairy!

Did not have freedom

The father and mother –

Whole field for us – Marital bed!

Drunk without wine and without enough to eat bread –

This gypsy wedding does run!

Filled glass. Empty glass.

Guitar sound, moon, and dirt.

Right and left swinging mill:

Prince – Roma! Gypsy – Prince!

Hey, mister, take heed – it burns!

This gypsy wedding drinks!

There, on a pile Shawls and coats –

The ringing and rustling Steel and lips.

Ringing of spurs, In response – Necklaces.

Whistled at someone’s hand silk.

Someone howled like a wolf

Someone – a bull – snoring.

This gypsy wedding asleep.

Documentary (1) on Gypsy wedding (video in Russian) (2)

What is shown in this video:

– Financial agreement between the parents in gold only

– Wedding itself

– The presence of older women on the wedding night

– The proof of innocence of the bride – if not a financial contract is destroyed

– Wife has no right to commit adultery

– Husband may be forgiven if the wife of the Russian

– Divorce is very rare

For the Gypsies of different countries are characterized by uneven development of regions of high culture. Thus, the majority of Roma artists – born in Hungary, the most developed musical culture of the Gypsies of Russia, Hungary, Romania, Spain, the Balkans, Gypsy literature at the moment is more developed in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine and Russia, the actor’s art – in Russia, Ukraine , Slovakia. Despite the diversity of gypsy culture from different ethnic groups, we can note a similar system of values and perceptions of the world.

Read more about ethnical groups of Roma people (in Russian)

Read about the costume of a Russian Gypsy (in Russian, beautiful pictures)

Songs and Music of Russian Gypsies

Listen on YouTube (in Russian and Gypsy)

Listen on YouTube (In Gypsy and Russian)

Listen on YouTube (Europe)

Listen on YouTube

See more…

Listen on YouTube

Listen on YouTube

Алла Пугачева и группа Штар – Гадалка Listen on YouTube

Alla Pugacheva (after perestrojka) and Shtar Group – “Fortune Teller”

Listen on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Songs of Russian Gypsies in movies

by Gypsy Yashka shown in the above picture

“Спряч за решетку ты вольную волю” Hide you freewill behind bars” Listen on YouTube

“Dance Gypsy, dance!” Listen on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Цыганский ансамбль “Монисто” на TV. Gipsy show Monisto tv (in Russian)

Watch in YouTube (a bit of talking in Russian, worth of waiting to last song)

Watch on YouTube

Listen on YouTube (very touching music)

Budulai Romanov – a fictional Gypsy, the protagonist of the novel the writer Anatoly Kalinin, embodied on-screen actor Yevgeny Matveyev, Mikhail Volunteers and Otar Megvinetuhutsesi in feature films and television series production in the USSR and Russia. (1976)

Gypsy man approaching retirement age, wandering the expanses of the Soviet Union in the postwar years. He – a war veteran and a man many had seen in his lifetime. Like all gypsies, playing seven-string guitar and has a special love for horses. By profession he was a smith. After wanderings lead him to the village of Don steppe, he develops his father’s feelings for local boy Vanya, who is probably really his son.

Read more about this movie (in Russian)

Link to this music (click on icon shown above)

more links

http://www.liloro.ru/romanes/bessonov8.htm

http://romanes.narod.ru/history.html

http://russia.rin.ru/guides/4984.html

http://ec-dejavu.ru/g/Gipsy.html

http://www.sheltersuk.com/