NIGHTGARDEN

This folkpunk duet / solo game is inspired by the Romani concept of 'Romanestan' 

- in essence, the co-creation of a safe, autonomous space in which a persecuted community can survive and thrive - 

You can read more about the concept and history of Romanestan at the bottom of this page.

(Both full colour and B&W / Easy-Reader files are included. Minimum font size is 16)

 

 

 

  

ROMANESTAN

Romanestan is a concept championed by Ionel Rotaru (1918–1982), a refugee in France after WW2. Romanestan is a Romanes word which in some cases has come to mean a physical, autonomous place / nation state where Romani people can consider 'home.' But in a broader sense it represents the formation of Romani ethnic identity in 'Post-Nazi Europe'.

In essence, the Romanestan that Rotaru imagined was an ambitious demand for the post WW2 rights for those labelled and treated as Gypsies, not only in France but throughout the whole world. However it failed at this time – in the way he envisioned – because the government and the upper classes reacted to crush his suggestions when faced with the possibility of an autonomous Romani movement - Rotaru was persecuted and eventually silenced.

Despite this, Rotaru's work brought to light the problematic waves of social and political readjustment which took place after WW2, and how these managed to maintain rather than rectify racial exclusion.

His courage shone a light upon the fact that the 'denazification' promoted by the victorious Allies, did not extend to liberating the Romani people, or other marginalised groups such as members of the LGBTQIA+ and Disabled communities, from persecution and dehumanisation. Instead, racist / prejudicial / dehumanising arguments were used to justify not recognizing Romani people (and other marginalised groups) as Holocaust victims, while social and institutional prejudice, persecution and discrimination was maintained.

WHAT THIS MEANS TODAY

Today the veil of institutional and social racism has not lifted and the hope of a physical nation state to call Romanestan is an unlikely vision. However the concept of creating a space where Roma can safely exist and thrive as an autonomous community is nevertheless emerging – not through the colonial concept of laying claim to a physical area of land – but through the fruition of hopes, dreams and wishes made manifest via the vehicle of community action and activism. The steps being made are small – but they are real and measurable steps towards safety, equality and autonomy – towards Romanestan.

Romanestan is a concept unique to Romani people and it cannot and must not be appropriated as so much else that belongs to us has been stolen from us. 

But it is a unique framework - and ideology - a hope - which rather than being rooted in colonialist mindsets of laying claim to physical resources, is rooted in the establishment of powerful, supportive communities which span the globe. This framework/mindset has the potential to respectfully and inclusively  benefit other marginalised and persecuted groups - groups who in this current global situation may need a wide variety of strategies to survive and thrive together.

I'm sure you didn't hope or look for an essay at the end of your game, but I could not post the game without explaining the historical and socio-political context from which it grew. I hope you enjoy playing NIGHTGARDEN and that your enjoyment is increased by knowing the inspiration behind it.

For further reading, see: "Creating Romanestan: A Place to be a Gypsy in Post-Nazi Europe" By Enrique González Duro