Romani culture has been profoundly misunderstood, and its beauty and wisdom overlooked, for over a thousand years. With our publication, we provide a glimpse into the lived reality, customs, and value system of one of the big Romani communities in Sofia and Romani culture in the Balkans (also called the Roma’s second home.) We specifically address common stereotypes against the Roma, attempt to answer some of the most persistent questions by outsiders, and highlight aspects of Romani culture that mainstream society can learn from.

The name of our publication comes from a common saying in my partner’s Romani community: “The sky knows it and the earth knows it.” Instead of “Believe me,” instead of “I swear,” the Roma say this when they are sharing a personal story or truth that the other person might doubt. In this saying, there is no effort to convince. What matters is that it was witnessed by the sky and the earth, and nothing more is needed to make it true. This principle is reflected in traditional Romani weddings which don’t have an officiant and take place under the open sky, made official by the drums, the presence of the community, and the wedding dress (the color of which is either white for innocence, pink for earthly love, or blue for the sky - or all three if the family can afford it.) The principle is reflected also in the Romani flag, which is green (for earth) and blue (for sky), with a red caravan wheel. The Roma don’t believe God belongs to them or that the land belongs to them. However, they do feel that they belong to the Sky and the Earth, as equals to any other living being. And as long as something is witnessed by the sky and the earth, then nothing else is needed to make it true, even if the truth is misrepresented and twisted. In our publication, we offer one truth at a time, as the sky and earth have witnessed it.