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Scottish Traveller Education Programme

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Contemporary Cultural Events

2 October, BBC Two Scotland: ArtWorks Scotland - What The Gypsies Did For Us

In Artworks Scotland: What the Gypsies Did for Us jazz supremo Martin Taylor explored the rich musical heritage that Gypsies and Travellers preserved for us all. Considered by many to be the greatest jazz guitarist alive today, Martin is highly irritated by the negative image of Gypsies provided by today's press. Coming from Traveller stock himself, he believes there is another side to the story:

"Despite popular myth the vast majority of Travellers do pay their way, just as the vast majority do in the non Travellers world. It seems to me that Gypsy and Traveller people are the only ethnic group that are still fair game. If we're not careful we could end up eradicating one of the last nomadic groups in Europe."

Throughout the programme Martin learned that Gypsies fought for their country, pay their taxes, and were the first recyclers. We heard comments from Gypsies and Travellers about their way of life, and from non Travellers, on how they perceive this unique group. According to Martin the racism that he believes is prevalent in the UK today has dangerous overtones - if the papers wrote the same things about any other ethnic group it would be considered unacceptable. This led Martin to the Documentation Centre for Roma and Sinti in Heidelberg, Germany. The Centre commemorates as many as half a million Gypsies who were killed in the Holocaust.

"Coming to Heidelberg has shown me just how dangerous intolerance is. I believe Gypsies and Travellers have made very positive contributions to the societies they live in... as a musician I'm fully aware of the contribution Gypsies and Travellers have made to music. There are many Gypsy musicians who command great respect - I would just like to see that respect continue when the guitar case is closed".