Sergio Franzese, Manuela Spadaro - ROM E SINTI IN PIEMONTE

This research intends to take stock of the situation concerning the presence of Roma and Sinti in Piedmont after
twelve years that the regional law of 10th June 1993, n. 26 “Interventi a favore della popolazione zingara” (Measures
in favour of the Gypsy population) is in force.
The first section, held by Sergio Franzese, is divided into three parts (1-3) and shows a general panorama of the
situation:
The first part is constituted of a historic and anthropologic introduction. It describes the theory of the Indian origins
Roma and Sinti, however considering also other hypotheses. Afterwards it presents a classification of the different
Roma and Sinti groups, the first ones based on their traditional craftsmanship, the later according to their historic
settlement places, to proceed with the description of the main habits and customs of the Roma and Sinti communities
dwelling in Piedmont. In this action, the most important events of life, such as festivals and religious belief
are considered, taking account of the present changes in course that make evident that the risk of loss of the cultural
identity is high and the consequent need of protective measures.
The second part shows a picture of the Romany population in Piedmont, made up of four main groups: The Piedmontese
Sinti, the “vla¤” Roma, the “Balkan” Roma and the Romanian Roma, with an estimate of the presence in
the regional territory of each one of these groups.
The research has taken into examination an amount of situations considered representative of the whole in which
two thirds of the phenomenon are concentrated.
Afterwards there are mentioned the measures acted by the Piedmontese Municipalities according to the regional
law 26/93 as well as others.
The analysis of these statistics show that the resort to the regional law has been altogether quite limited and in
most cases has been done only to build or restore camp areas and in a lower scale for education measures.
The third part supplies a list of organizations and associations present in Piedmont that work in this area, with a
description of the activities held by each one of them.
It follows an in-depth analysis concerning the cultural mediation as a valid tool for the dialog between the majority
culture and the Romany culture, and at last a conclusive exam that includes operative suggestions disposed according
the different sectors of action.
The second section of the research, held by Manuela Spadaro of the ASGI (Associazione per gli Studi Giuridici sull’Immigrazione
– Association for Legal Studies for Immigration) is also divided into three parts (4-6) and devoted to
the analysis of the laws concerning protective measures for the Romany population.
The fourth part presents a panoramic view of the laws at European, national, regional and municipal levels.
The fifth part analyses accurately the law at municipal level, namely the rules issued by some of the Municipalities
where authorized camp areas exist.
The sixth part is concerned with the accurate analysis of the actual performance of the regional law 26/93 in the
Municipalities of Piedmont. From this examination emerges a twilight picture: the base level of the policy regarding
protective measures in favour of Roma and Sinti is assured roughly everywhere, although in many Municipalities
they are applied in a factual manner only and not through official initiative of the Municipality; while regarding
other actions that might achieve a true integration the Municipalities have still not produced any program of measures
that may have a continuous application, so that they may bring concrete achievements, as it has been done,
for instance, with the education programs for children.
At last, the Appendix is made up of a bibliography, a list of specialized journals and the main websites on the topic,
a picture of the estimate presence of Roma and Sinti in Piedmont through geographic maps and the text of the
regional law of Piedmont.
(traduzione: Alexandro A. Revello)
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