Tuesday February 16th

Our second day of week seven began with a relaxing start. One o’clock, we all filled the first floor seminar room. Yes, we had a guest speaker! Her name is Mirela Pribac and she is a Romanian artist who studied in Rome and made a photo documentary on “Campo Nomadi.”

Her discussions were focused on the plight of “Gypsies” or the more appropriate and politically correct term, ROMA. We have been discussing the “Gypsies,” their lives, jobs, and perceptions since week one. However, none of us knew much about their history or background. Mirela was able to provide insights in to their lives as she spent time getting to know the people in Campo Nomadi while making her documentary. She talked about the discrimination they faced and how such prejudices and stereotyping could be stopped. Throughout her presentation, she explained of the discrimination they endured not only from people all across Europe, but also from the governments of the respective countries they live in. The pictures revealed a people so pure and loving, the children playing together and mothers caring for their children. Her photos lent familiarity or even sympathy to such a misunderstood people. She talked of how while she was rummaging through the images, she would match their faces with dolls that she found depicting “Gypsies.” The resemblance led her to combine the faces of real people to the dolls. This act made her realize that she was actually guilty of form of stereotyping the “Gypsies.” In the end, she concluded that the way to stop this derogatory stereotyping and discrimination is to first recognize when you are committing these prejudiced acts. They are ROMA not “Gypsy.”

After a fifteen minute break, we headed to the Accademia di Romania (this place we learned does not offer courses; rather, it is more of a place that houses Romanian scholars who do research in Italy). Trekking ten minutes in the rain after a fifteen minute ride, I welcomed the accademia that rose like a white palace against the bleak sky. We ran in, glad of a temporary relief from further soggy shoes and less than pleasant smelling clothes.

Immediately, we were greeted by the accademia’s art director. He was the epitome of a jolly old man! Nice and funny. He showed us around the extensive complex. One area was a huge room that displayed framed paintings along the walls. Right above that room was Mirela’s showroom for contemporary art. The artist who drew the picture at the end of the narrow corridor sells his work at auction for two to four million Euros!

One of my favorite rooms though was the library, famous for being the largest state library out of Romania.

The library contained around 34,500 books. It had an old world charm of tattered classic novels, antique ceiling lamps, and wooden railing balconies. Perfection. This is where our day ended. Sadly, partially dried shoes and clothes did not last long as we ventured out into the cold, rainy world (walking to Piazza del Popolo and “home”—Campo de Fiori).

Until tomorrow ciao!

Alexis and Teo