Fotoritim · April 2012

“The Novel of Joy and Sadness” — Roma Communities in Turkey

This April 2012 Fotoritim feature brings together text and photographs from my long-term documentary work with Roma communities. The project began in 1999 with a wedding in Kuştepe, Istanbul, and later expanded through Thrace and İzmir, where I photographed weddings, music, work, children, neighborhoods and everyday life.

The article reflects on the discrimination and social difficulties experienced by Roma communities, while also recording cultural continuity, family life, music, solidarity, humor and joy. My intention was to move beyond stereotypes and approach the people I photographed through direct contact, observation and shared experience.

The original Fotoritim page is preserved below in consecutive sections so that both the article and the photographs can be read more comfortably.