Seminar Series in Romani Studies: Language and Culture of Swedish Roma (Svenska romers språk och kultur)

Join via Zoom: https://uu-se.zoom.us/j/67591610982

The talk will overview the history of the Kelderash (Kelderáš) Roma group and the Taikon family, one of the most known Romani families in the world. Mr. Taikon will tell the audience about his ancestors, who became a model for him in preserving Romani culture and history, and his love for his language, the Kelderash (Kelderáš) dialect of the Romani language. Mr. Taikon will also introduce his foundation, É Romani Glinda, which means “The Romani Mirror”, and talk about how he started his work and his writings in a newspaper connected to his Foundation. The last part of the talk will present the projects of É Romani Glinda, including Romani Cultural Days in Sweden, Holocaust Memorial Day, International Roma Day on April 8, and many others.

Bio: Fred Taikon was born in 1945 in a Kelderash Roma family. He grew up in Stockholm in Tanto – Sweden’s most famous Romani settlement. Fred Taikon is the founder and head of the Romani foundation É Romani Glinda (https://www.romaniglinda.se). He is a Romani public activist, writer, and educator. Mr. Taikon actively participates in domestic and international projects; his foundation organizes Romani cultural events and creates documentaries and exhibitions regarding Romani culture and history, including the persecution of the Roma during the Holocaust.