| Thank you for taking the
time to look through
Patrin. This site
originally began as a remembrance to my Grandfather, José, also
known as Galuchon to his Gitans (French Roma) kumpania. He
passed away at the age of 69 in early 1992, and his death had an enormous
impact on our family, much more than we would realise. He was a simple,
strong, straight-forward man with a big heart and generous nature.
Carmen and Galuchon before incarceration
in Gypsy internment camp, France, 1941,
taken by a Vichy photographer
Galuchon was a young man when he was placed in a Gypsy
internment camp in Vichy France in 1941 with his wife Carmen, and
the rest of his family. He was later sent to a forced labour camp from
which he escaped. He joined the Maquis, La Resistánce,
with other Roma in the Free France movement. He was later captured and
sent to Germany where he escaped again before being recaptured. The German
surrender in 1945 probably saved his life. Before the Porrajmos,
the caravan Galuchon lived with numbered over one-hundred waggons. After
the Libération, the caravan numbered less than thirty waggons.
I decided that Patrin should not only
be a remembrance to him, my Grandpère, but to all Roma who
have suffered human indignity and persecution solely for the fact of being
Roma.
Marko and José
Today, Roma are politically active and will not
accept complacency in the face of anti-Roma propaganda and violence around
the world. With your help Patrin can
grow into a useful, educational place where others can visit and learn
about the Roma. Your comments, suggestions and contributions are encouraged.
Enjoy your visit and return often.
29.11.96
 
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