Saste Aven! project organised two Finno-Serbian youth camps, first one in Tuusula, Finland in June 2022 and another one in Bela Palanka in the following August 2022. The camps were participated by 16 youth who implemented together a virtual photo exhibition featuring their Roma-identity.

During the camps it turned out that for both the Finnish and Serbian youth the most important thing in their lives was their family and heritage. In the Roma community children grow-up to be constantly surrounded by many, many people. Roma community wants to care for their children as well as their elders by themselves. This side of the Roma community is highlighted particularly during the family events, such as birthdays, funerals and other kinds of communal events, in which people aim to be gather and be present with all their near and dear. On one hand, it is a way to show respect for the other person while on the other hand, it is also a way respect the event itself.

The Serbian Roma youth were particularly proud of their rich culinary traditions, which has gathered influence from India, Balkans as well as Mediterranean regions. The core of Serbian Roma population’s culinary traditions still includes dishes that were originally prepared out in the field, such as grill dishes, stews, dumplings and salads. Just like their Serbian peers the Finnish Roma youth too love their meat dishes and pastries. Similarly, the Finnish Roma youth hold table manners and beautiful setting in high esteem.

Another aspect of Roma identity that the Finnish Roma youth feel particularly proud of were their gorgeous and valuable jewelleries. They are either inherited family heirlooms or specifically made, unique jewellers that tell something about the person who is wearing them and about their background. In Serbian, jewellery has more of a ceremonial and symbolic role. For example, they play a significant role during the traditional Serbian Roma weddings.

The virtual photo exhibition was published in Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sasteaven/). Additionally, a short video about the exhibition was also shot.

Saste Aven! was implemented as a cooperation between the Finnish Roma Association and Serbian organisation called Đurđevdan. It was funded by the Erasmus+ programme under the funding for small-scale youth cooperation project.

The European Commission is not responsible for the content.

For more information about the Erasmus+ programme please visit www.oph.fi/erasmusplus