The journalist Anna Tillack has made film about Romanian Roma here in Munich (This and all following links lead to information in German). Tillack acquired their trust and filmed them both here in Munich and back in Romania. Without any schooling, they have little or no chance of finding work, so they come to Munich and various other Western cities to beg for a few weeks. Then they take the money back home to eek out a meagre life for their families in their hometown. Every so often they have to travel westwards again for more money. Tillack is never intrusive, but manages to give a real insight into the lives of a group of people who are very visible in the city, yet completedly overlooked most of the time.
German Roma are generally referred to as Sinti. Although the number of Sinti and Roma permantenly living in Munich is not very large, this minority has a long history here. Official records show Sinti have been living in Munich since 1427. Honouring the 700 years of history, Stattreisen offers a guided tour „Sinti und Roma in München, Auf den Spuren einer Minderheit“. Radoslav Ganev has recently founded an organisation called romanity to provide information on the local community, its history and to dispel prejuidice. The NS-Dokumetationszentrum offers detailed information on the plight of the local population of Sinti and Roma during the Third Reich.
Here’s a taste of genuine local gyspy swing from the unfortunately rather short lived band The Vigilance of Gypsy Swing.
Now that restaurants and cafés are opening up again, the city is beginning to awaken from its Covid 19 sleep. It’s such a pleasure to see people outside having a beer or coffee together – and to be out and about with friends. The greatest pleasure is yet to come though – either when the swimming pools open again or when it’s finally warm enough to venture out into the lakes. I can’t wait!!