YOUNG people from one of Scotland’s most marginalised communities are challenging prejudice in a new photographic exhibition.
Opening tomorrow, the PhotoMessage show will be held at Glasgow’s Tramway venue, close to the Govanhill area where the young artists live.
The area, part of Nicola Sturgeon’s Glasgow Southside constituency, is the most ethnically diverse in Scotland and has become home to around 4000 Roma from eastern Europe in the past decade.
It is also densely populated and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation has listed parts of Govanhill as amongst the most deprived in the country.
Last year Glasgow City Council announced plans to buy up to 500 substandard properties from rogue landlords as part of a £50 million programme aimed at improving living standards.
However, in November, the community was also the subject of allegations about widespread child sexual exploitation, with Roma families accused of selling their children. Police Scotland said there was “no information or intelligence” to substantiate the claims but set up a task force to investigate.
The force said its investigation is ongoing and declined to comment further.
The Friends of Romano Lav organisation, which has supported the PhotoMessage project, branded the abuse claims “spurious and unevidenced” and, on a separate issue, has accused the Home Office of unfairly targeting the community in an immigration crackdown, something denied by the UK Government agency.
Against this backdrop, the seven photographers showing their work say the candid shots of everyday life challenge stereotypes and misconceptions.
David Milosiu, 18, said: “I want my voice to be heard.”
The collection includes images of youngsters at home and at play, visiting their parents at work and celebrating Christmas and christenings.
Rahela Cirpaci, who is preparing for the imminent birth of her child, speaks seven languages and used her camera to express her desire to build a home of her own. The 20-year-old currently shares a two-bedroom flat with her husband and four members of his family.
She said: “People get the wrong idea about Govanhill. There’s beauty here.
“I’d like my own little house, with my own kitchen and living room. And for my baby when she is born, I wish we had a baby room.”
Delivered by the Media Co-op social enterprise, the project is supported by Community Renewal in Govanhill, funded by the People’s Health Trust and the New Economics Foundation.
Miroslav Cuba of Friends of Romano Lav said: “I’m so proud of the young people for the dedication and creativity they’ve demonstrated in this project.
“There can be prejudice against Roma people, so it’s important to hear their voices and to see Govanhill from their point of view.”
The show runs until March 11.
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