This anthology ‘The Culture of the Finnish Roma’ is a highly needed collection of articles intended for a wide audience, in Finland and internationally. The editors of the anthology, when participating in many international conferences and seminars, have often been asked: Is there Roma research in Finland? What is it like? Which perspectives does it utilize? The main function of this anthology is to reply to those questions. It compiles an array of contemporary Roma research done in present day Finland, both by Finnish, Finnish Roma, and international scholars. It will be of interest to both academic as well as lay readers interested in Roma culture and Roma life in Finland, past and present. The chapters focus on the research and the life of Roma in Finland. Bringing to light the various sides of the Romani way of life, scholars from different fields include historians, linguists, anthropologists, and cultural and social researchers. Many of the previous books have suffered from a recycling of materials that mythologize and stereotype Romani people. Including the viewpoint of Roma scholars and diverse research branches ranging from culture, language, religion, and gender, the anthology aims at overcoming the stereotypes and bring knowledge of aspects of Romani life. The eternal contemplation and negotiation of identities lies in the heart of any culture. We hope that the way The Culture of the Finnish Roma discusses these issues brings forth interesting topics to consider for any reader, regardless of national or ethnic origin.

This anthology is a needed collection of chapters intended for the international audience. The editor of the anthology, having participated in many international conferences and seminars, have often been asked: Is there Roma research in Finland? What is it like? Which perspectives does it utilize? The main function of this anthology is to reply to those questions. It compiles an array of contemporary Roma research done in present day Finland, both by Finnish, native Roma, and international scholars. It will be of interest to both academic as well as lay readers interested in Roma culture and Roma life in Finland, past and present. The chapters focus on the research and the life of Roma in Finland. Bringing into light various sides of the Romani way of life, scholars from different fields include historians, linguists, anthropologists, and cultural and social researchers. The eternal contemplation and negotiation of identities lie in the heart of any culture. We hope that the way Finnish Research on Roma and Romani Culture discusses these issues brings forth interesting topics to consider for any reader, regardless of national or ethnic origin.

A unique collection of scholarly essays gathered and reprinted from American Journal of Comparative Law (1997) and the Yale Law Journal (1993) on the legal traditions of the Roma, or Gypsies. A fascinating account of how a primarily alien culture functions in a larger social context.

In any conflict the players seem to invariably view that conflict through the filter of their own cultural experiences. This collection of essays draws on a variety of disciplines to analyze fundamental assumptions about how conflict arises and how it is resolved.

Underlying the songs of the Finnish Roma are historical depth and cultural and situational signification. Songs as tradition are in a state of continuous change and it is from this perspective that the features, nature and functions of music must be considered, chronologically and locally as part of the surrounding culture and its plurality.

National education systems across Europe are being brought into the service of a competitive knowledge-based economy and of social cohesion. Moreover what it is to be a citizen and how the new citizens should be educated are issues subject to research and educational initiatives in many European countries.