Frances Roberts Reilly
@francespoesis.bsky.social
🇨🇦 Roma, Poet, Author, Podcaster, Playwright, Filmmaker, Storyteller, Documentarian, Harpist, Welsh Gypsy, Nan. Author of Parramisha: A Romani Poetry Collection & Akekoi: A Romani Memoir Poetry Wales & Firebird Awards. Producer, Watershed Writers Podcast.
On 2 August 1944, the last 4,300 Roma and Sinti at Auschwitz were gassed to death. More than 500,000 Roma and Sinti were killed in the Pharraijmos - the Roma Holocaust. Holocaust Remembrance Day, August 2nd. A poem from my book, Parramisha: A Romani Poetry Collection.
Delighted. Thankyou. “I read Parramisha and for myself genuinely captivated by your powerful celebration of Romani identity and heritage. Your evocative poetry beautifully challenges long-held stereotypes while giving voice to culture, history, and lived experience with authenticity and grace.”
throwback at my podcast series Watershed Writers with host Tanis MacDonald. Highlight reel featuring a few of the 42 writers from Kitchener Waterloo who were interviewed. Find them all on SoundCloud Watershed Writers channel. www.instagram.com/reel/C-vic44...
Watershed Writers on Instagram: "After four thrilling years, WatershedWriters.ca is wrapping up our hour-long interview format podcast/radio show on @MidtownRadioKW. You can access our *HUGE CATALOGUE...
14 likes, 7 comments - watershedwriterspodcast on August 16, 2024: "After four thrilling years, WatershedWriters.ca is wrapping up our hour-long interview format podcast/radio show on @MidtownRadioKW....
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My genealogist friend tells me he’s inundated with requests from Americans looking to prove their Canadian ancestry. Likely to get them into Canada.
Featured in “Resilience on the Move: Roma People in Canada” exhibition at Pier 21, Halifax: artwork by @ildikonova-art.bsky.social album cover by jazz pianist, Robi Botos and my book, Parramisha.
International Romani Day. Books by Roma writers. On the shelves at New Providence Library NJ. @blueskybooks.bsky.social
Baxtahlo Yaurengo. Happy Easter in Veshengay Kaulay chib. The Welsh Kale dialect of my Wood Gypsy family.
“This book is written by a crone. a younger woman couldn’t write it.” A comment during Roma Words. Roma World. book group reading and discussion of my book, Parramisha: A Romani Poetry Collection. Thank you.
May the Fool enlighten and delight your life with scrumptious surprises, cheerful changes and awesome adventures. May you dance with the Divine. Signed Fool for love.
Please join me for #Roma Words Roma Worlds, a reading and discussion of my book Parramisha set in my Welsh Gypsy ancestors lives and stories of #TeuluAbramWood and #Welshkaleheritage. That’s on April 2nd. To register go to: newprovidence.librarycalendar.com/event/roma-wor…
Please join me for a reading and discussion of my poetry Anthology, Parramisha about my Roma Welsh Kale. That’s on April 2nd at 7.00pm EST. To register for the zoom link: newprovidence.librarycalendar.com/event/roma-w...
Thank you, European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture - ERIAC. I am now accepted as a member of an arts organization that is "built as a home for Roma creativity and talent — a symbol of the power and potential of our community, and a space to reimagine our collective future." Chuffed.
Confession. When travelling, meeting and dining with Americans we talk about Cuba and how wonderful are the Cubans, while in crowded elevators we speak in French Canadian🇨🇦. I also wear my Cuba baseball cap and watch people’s faces. I know. I’m such a piss taker. It gives this grandma a wee smile.
Chuffed. My book, Parramisha: A Romani Poetry Collection is now on the book shelves at The Canadian Museum of Immigration for the upcoming Roma Migration to Canada Exhibit. Other libraries are National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, Wales and the library at the Canadian Embassy in London, UK.
In Wuthering Heights, Heathcliffe is described as a “dark skinned Gypsy, in aspect” and a “black haired child”by Mrs. Earnshaw. While Hindley, Mrs. Linton, Joseph and Edgar othered him. One of the few #Roma characters in English Lit is erased & written out of history & again exploited in the movie.
Harrumph! I’ve been invited to Harvard University in Boston. However, as an activist of 50+ years, a filmmaker about human rights and a Roma/Gypsy author, I have declined to cross the Canadian border into the US, risking aggressive questioning or worse detainment by Homeland Security.
Remembering the victims of the Roma Holocaust on January 27th. Welsh Rom Manfri Frederick Wood, our familya, part of the relief of Bergen-Belsen said: "When I saw the surviving Romanies, I was shaken. Then I saw the half-charred body of a girl. In one awful minute I saw what had been going on.”
Honouring the Old Ones who spoke our Welsh Gypsy language with a recording of my ancestor Manfri Wood. He lived in Bala, North Wales on the lake and is talking about fishing.
A lifetime as an activist, Roma poet, writer and filmmaker for human rights, I’m grateful for membership into PEN Roma through the valiant efforts of ERIAC - European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture. PEN Roma's membership of PEN International promotes literature and freedom of expression.
Chuffed that my #Roma poetry collection, ‘Parramisha’ is slated for discussion by Roma Words Roma Worlds Book Group at New Providence’s (NJ) Library in April 2026. Happy that after five years my book has found its place on a library shelf and will be shared by 60 affiliated libraries.
In conversation with a genealogist friend who’s getting three inquires a week from Americans seeking facts about any Canadian bloodlines. Presumably to facilitate possible residency in Canada. 🇨🇦
Twice now when reading manuscripts AI prompts and nudges, req if I would like it “simplified”. No. I prefer to linger and savour the beauty and gorgeousness of the writing of someone who has contemplated every single word in the creation of their ms. Can i block AI on Word and .pdf?
Takes deep breath. I’ve been invited to represent my Welsh Kale Romani/Gypsy tribe at a Roma Nation meeting. The foundation of which is seeking representation of all Roma at the United Nations #TeuluAbramWood #WelshKaleHeritag #Romahistory
Two Roma authors meet in Toronto for a kushti lunch to discuss many possible collaborations. #LynnHutchisonLee
@madelinepotter.bsky.social Introducing #LynnHutchisonLee Roma author of speculative fiction and artist. She’s also into the horror genre.
Sitting in on ERIAC conference that respects, honours and cares about Romani language and identity. Welsh Kale is invited and represented on a transnational basis.
