Town's view of Travellers go on display - Llanelli

From the Llanelli Star

LLANELLI'S view of Travellers and Gypsies is set to be explored after three months of student research.

Anna Toldo, a student from Modena e Reggio Emilia University, has spent the summer on an internship with Llanelli Multicultural Network, carrying out a research project into stereotypes and perceptions of different cultural groups.

It is the first time the group has welcomed a foreign student to the town, and staff have helped Anna put together an exhibition of her findings.

"I have looked at stereotypical views of certain minority groups, in particular Muslims and members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, and the effects that negative views can have," Anna said.

Determined

"It has been a really interesting project — I have been out meeting members of the community and finding out from them how this affects everyday life."

Determined to find out how Llanelli residents view different cultural groups, Anna took to the town centre with a video camera to carry out random interviews.

"The interviewees have come from all walks of life, and the background information and interviews will be part of a film presentation at the event," Anna said.

"We were asking things like 'if I say the word Muslim, what is the first thing that comes to mind?'

"Some of the answers were surprising, and everyone has different opinions."

Anna's findings will be on display at Llanelli Town Hall, from 3pm to 6pm, on Saturday, September 1, and Paolo Piana, of Llanelli Multicultural Network, said he is looking forward to the event.

"We have a band coming who sing in Romany and a lady from Syria, who will give a presentation — there will be some fun stuff and some informative stuff," he said.

"It's the first time we have had someone come in for an internship with us, and we think it has been really successful."

The event will also feature live music from the Amigos, as well as a buffet, and if successful could form the basis for similar presentations.

"When town closes, all these youngsters come out with their skateboards," Paolo said. "We got talking to them and they said they are stereotyped in exactly the same way because of what they wear — we are now looking at doing some work with them."

To book a free place at the event, call the multicultural society on 01554 785954 or email laura.hancock@ cavs.org.uk or anna.toldo@cavs.org.uk