Magic in the Margins
A journey into the lives and spirit of Roma communities in Serbia. Featuring the award-winning series “Uprooted Community” alongside new works celebrating resilience, life, and joy.
Belgrade, the geographic center of the Balkans, has always been a crossroads of civilizations. Here, the Roma wheel stopped as well, bringing with it a world of vibrant culture, resilience, and life lived on the margins. In search of survival and opportunity, Roma communities settled in informal neighborhoods scattered throughout the city, often near riverbanks or downtown, close to their main source of income: collecting and selling secondary raw materials.
These communities face numerous obstacles, trapped in cycles of poverty, isolation, and distrust. Yet, behind these challenges lies a spirit that refuses to fade. Life here is harsh, but it is lived fully, with laughter, play, and the warmth of family at its center. Homes, often built from cardboard and scraps, are clustered close to one another, usually without basic amenities, yet they are kept with care. Women maintain cleanliness, while men work tirelessly to sustain their families.
One of the most notable communities was the Gazella settlement, placed under the same name bridge over Sava river connecting Old and New Belgrade. In this unsanitary settlement over 900 people lived in extreme poverty in improvised cardboard homes. Many children did not attend school, and the residents faced constant social, health and economic challenges. In 2009, despite resistance from the community, Gazella’s residents were forcibly relocated to the outskirts of Belgrade and settled in small, sterile metal containers. While this move disrupted traditional ways of life, it also allowed children to start attending school, bringing hope and new opportunities for the future.
Even in these marginalized spaces, life continues with quiet strength and resilience. The children’s laughter and playful energy remain at the heart of the community, bringing light and joy to everyday life. These communities demonstrate that even in difficult circumstances, the human spirit can thrive, adapt, and create its own kind of magic.
