A project for young people from the gypsy and traveller community has attracted some very special attention.
Young people from the Shirenewton site in Cardiff last week welcomed the Latvian Ambassador to the UK to see the animations they have been working on for Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month.
Mr Eduards Stiprais visited Shirenewton on Friday, February 25 to see first hand how the young people have researched their own culture and combined storytelling and animation to produce a film that has helped them develop a sense of pride in their culture and recognise their own value and self-worth.
The Ambassador met with the young people and Isaac Blake, Director of the Romani Cultural and Arts Company that works closely with the Council’s Traveller Education Service. The service provides support to travellers and is committed to inclusion, life-long learning and high achievement for all.
The animation project has been delivered in partnership with Cinetig Production, who have a long track record of making films with young people and have received many awards for their community films.
The ambassador was joined by Mr Martins Pundors, of the Latvian Embassy and Mr Andy Taurins, Honorary Consul for Latvia in Wales.
Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “We are very pleased that the Ambassador visited Shirenewton to see the culmination of the young people’s hard work on this animation project. I’m sure he found the visit interesting and worthwhile.”
Isaac Blake said: “Arts-based projects are an important way of working with those young people who may be less comfortable using words, especially the written word to express themselves. The importance of self expression is recognised in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and these rights apply no less in Shirenewton and across Wales than they do anywhere else.”
