Thousands of Roma and Sinti from all over Europe worship their ‘black Sara’, but without self -proclaimed Frisian ‘Zigeuner’ Jan

In the picturesque southern French village of Les Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer, thousands of Roma and Sinti from all over Europe meet every year at the end of May to worship their patron saint Sint Sara. Great absentee this time, however, is Jan Dam, self -appointed ‘Gypsy’ of Frisian descent. “Old acquaintances come to ask how he is doing. It is no longer the same without Jan,” says girlfriend Carine Jacqueson sad.

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