Roma are one of the largest ethnic minorities in Europe, a segment of the ethnic population of common Indian origin. Gypsies live in many European countries, as well as in North Africa, North and South America and Australia. Groups related to European gypsies also live in the countries of Western Asia. The number of European gypsies, according to various estimates, ranges from 8 million to 10-12 million people. During the Second World War, according to recent research, about 150,000-200,000 Roma in Central and Eastern Europe were exterminated by the Nazis and their allies. Of these, 30,000 were citizens of the USSR.
We offer you a selection of archival photographs about the life of European gypsies in the first half of the last century, before the Second World War.
Source: Journal/humus
1. The men gathered for food in a large tent in a gypsy camp. Amsterdam. Netherlands, 1912.
2. A girl in a gypsy camp near Amsterdam. Netherlands, 1912.
3. Dutch in a gypsy camp near Amsterdam. Netherlands, 1912
4. School in a gypsy camp near Amsterdam. Netherlands, 1912
5. Women in a gypsy camp near Amsterdam. Netherlands, 1912.
6. Gypsies cook soup in their camp. Netherlands, 1912.
7. Gypsy camp near Amsterdam. Terrible dirt and poverty. 1915
8. Gypsy children in a camp near Amsterdam. Amsterdam, 1917
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10. Mother with children in a gypsy camp. Netherlands, Amsterdam, 1917.
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12. Two boys from a gypsy camp. Netherlands, Amsterdam, 1917.
13. Dirt and poverty in a camp near Arnhem. 1923
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16. View of a gypsy camp in The Hague. 1925
17. Camp in Zaandam, 1926: two gypsy girls in wooden shoes
18. A young inhabitant of a camp in Zaandam learns to play the violin from his father. Netherlands, 1926.
19. The inhabitants of the gypsy van explain themselves to the Belgian gendarmes. 1928
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21. A group of gypsies are sitting near a cart. Belgian police are watching them. 1928
22. Dutch military police on the border during an action against the Roma. Netherlands, 1928..
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24. Dutch military police ambushed the border during an action against the Roma. Netherlands, 1928
25. Gypsies celebrate Christmas in Russia. 1928
26. Three gypsies from Westphalia. Germany, 1930
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28. A gypsy family cooks over a fire. Germany, Westphalia, 1930.
29. Gypsy camp with numerous vans. There is a church in the background. France, Sainte-Marie, 1930.
30. Church in Sainte-Marie where a large crowd has already gathered. A gypsy procession will take place in this town. France, 1930
31. Gypsy procession. France, Sainte-Marie, 1930
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35. The priest blesses 72 banners at the Gypsy Congress. Hungary, Sibiu, 1934
36. A group of gypsy children are sitting in a broken tent. France, Sainte-Marie, 1936.
37. A group of gypsies in the French city of Sainte-Marie. France, 1936.
38. Gypsy child on the square of Sainte-Marie, 1936
39. Residents of a camp near Amsterdam weave upholstery for chairs. 1940
40. Children in the camp. Netherlands, 1940
41. Gypsy camp near Amsterdam. All the same dirt and poverty. 1940
42. The gypsies are moving to a new place. 1940
43. In 1940, residents of the camp received food and clothing coupons. Netherlands
44. Receiving bread in exchange for coupons. Netherlands, 1940
45. A coal merchant makes a deal with a resident of the camp. Netherlands, 1940
46. Children from the camp. 1941. Location unknown
