Double book launch gives voice to Traveller and Roma children
Stephen O’Leary
Two new books showcasing the experiences of Traveller and Roma children living in Cork are set to be launched today.
'Grow Up Strong’ and ‘The Real Us’ feature stories and artwork created by Traveller and Roma children respectively. The books highlight the lives and experiences of the young people who contributed to them.
The books are being unveiled at Nano Nagle Place on Thursday 25 January from 11am to 1pm. Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, will formally launch the books.
Over 12 weeks of creative workshops, children and young people from Traveller and Roma communities collaborated with artist Francesca Hutchinson, and writers Daniel Brennan and Mary Branley. All three mentors are associates of Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership, publishers of the books.
The creative process allowed young people to tell their own stories about their lives, and experiment with an array of materials to create beautiful artwork.
Both book titles came from the young contributors themselves. The title ‘Grow Up Strong’ was created by Traveller young people, who said: “Our mum teaches us to have confidence in ourselves. She teaches us to grow up strong, even if people are talking behind your back.”
The title ‘The Real Us’ was chosen by young Roma creators. They said: “We are stereotyped too often, and people think we don’t want education or to do anything with our lives. But the opposite is true.”
Kids’ Own is a Sligo-based arts organisation for young people. The books were developed in partnership with Cork Traveller Visibility Group, TUSLA Education Support Service, and the Cork STAR project.
Ciara Gallagher, CEO and Creative Director of Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership, commented: “These young people have important things to say, and we are delighted to promote their voices and their creativity, which is so evident in these vibrant books. As a society, we really need to hear, and listen to, the voices of young people from Traveller and Roma communities more widely.”
Cork Traveller Visibility Group added: “This work celebrates the voices of the children of the Traveller and Roma communities. This creative innovative project created a safe space where these children’s voices and experiences formed an integral component of the work. It’s empowering, it’s challenging, and it’s endearing.”
A teaching and learning resource to accompany the books will also be launched. This resource was developed for teachers to support the use of the books in the classroom.