What is Beautiful People?
Beautiful People is a photographic book with stories, in which i want to help overcome stereotypical portraiture of the lives of people in Roma communities. To me Roma are beautiful and proud people, whose culture and identity have been almost systematically destroyed by several regimes in the recent history of Central Europe.
The people in my photographs live in the worst possible conditions just outside of the town Kezmarok, in Velka Lomnica, Slovakia. 2.000 people live without water supplies and canalization. But despite the slum-like conditions, their houses are always clean and tidy. And every one has at least one set of nice clothes for special occasions. When I portrayed them, i asked them to show themselves in the way that they want to be seen.
These photographs show men and women who try to live a better life. Men and women who show us that change is possible.
A unique book about overcoming stereotypes
The book Beautiful People will be an important resource of how to approach a broad and foreign audience. It will include photographs with short texts, connected to the portrayed person, as well as texts focused on more complex comprehension of Roma issues. It will become a prestigious, however an open publication for the reader, with the potential to address different social groups, generations and readers from various countries.
With this book i hope to reach those who are in power to make a change: politicians who can influence social changes, the Roma people themselves, with the hope that this project will boost their self confidence. And on a new generation, who’s opinion matters.
The publication is being prepared with several different experts. The authors of the texts will be influential personas who will contribute to the value of the content of the book.
Your contributions will be used for text editing and translations (it will be in three languages - English, Roma and Slovak), book design, printing costs (size 24x28cm,130 pages) and distribution. I plan to publish the book in September 2013.
Your contribution will be rewarded by postcards, a signed book or original photographs. And the good feeling that your have helped to overcome prejudices that live in our society. In return I will donate 10% of the sale of the book to „Dive Maky“, a Slovak n.g.o. that adopts talented Roma children and helps them with their education and carreer.
Help me to spread a word about my campaign Beautiful People. Thank you!
Šymon Kliman
