Roma youth create 'powerful' record of life in lockdown now on display in Govanhill

Hundreds of photographs were collected by Govanhill Roma Youth Project during its Govanhill Life in Lockdown scheme to capture a unique time in residents' lives.

From cooking with family members to pets and the views from their windows, the almost 300 pictures gathered show common themes from life under lockdown.

Now the youth project members have worked with a designer to create banners of the photographs that are now hung in eight spots around Govanhill.

Nola O'Neill, senior youth worker, said: "It's a real snapshot of normal life and shows how similar a lot of lives are.

"In a lot of the pictures people are doing the same things - eating, chilling out, people have got their animals in the pictures.

"It's very historic, it forms a very powerful historic document of an extraordinary time.

"The exhibition gives validation to their experiences and what they have been through."

Govanhill Roma Youth Project, which has around 150 members with a core group of 15, came up with the idea to ask community members to take three photos.

They were called on to photograph a view from their window and images of what they were doing at home,

Over a four week period, more than 60 young people sent in nearly 300 pictures.

Young people from the youth project teamed up with Govanhill Baths Youth Club and Community Renewal to choose photos that were posted on Facebook each week.

During lockdown they have worked with a graphic designer to create the banners - which can be seen at Queen's Park, Govanhill Park, local primary schools and Dixon Halls - as well as postcards.

These are displayed around the community as part of Govanhill International Festival and Carnival.

Leon Puska, 22, a youth worker with the group, helped choose the photographs that were included in the final posters, along with Natalia Balogova, 15; Alexander Horvath, 15; and Kristina Surmajova.

Natalia said: "Lockdown was hard but not too bad. We were used to being out all the time but then we had to always be at home, which isn't easy.

"But we also got a break from everything. The photo project was really interesting and good to be a part of.

"It helped with the boredom of lockdown too."

Alexander added: "I took photos from my window and from the road outside. Lockdown was pretty boring but still having the youth project really helped."

Govanhill Roma Youth Project was set up around four years ago and is made of young Roma people from across the city.

It's members take part in activities such as street work, girls sports and cookery, and there is a young leaders project for young people.