Irish Traveller Movement Update of 21 December 2011
 

1.  A Message to our Members

2.  Oprah Winfrey Network Looking For willing Participants

1.  A Message to our Members

As 2011 draws to a close the Irish Traveller Movement would like to thank all of our members for their ongoing support and for many, for your steadfast resolve despite what has been one of the most difficult years in the community and voluntary sector.

ITM is only as strong as its membership’s engagement and we extend our gratitude to the working groups of the ITM and their representatives who have continued to offer clear and strategic guidance to the direction of our work.  We would also like to acknowledge those groups who support their staff to be on the ITM Central Group, without whom we could not function. 

Following unavoidable redundancies at the end of last year we have managed to maintain most of our core work this year, achieved many objectives and have had many positive gains, however, our reduced resources have affected the way in which we have engaged with our members.  

Unfortunately, we continue to be challenged by additional cuts and have been forced to reduce our capacity even further in 2012.     

Nonetheless, we have committed to strengthen our capacity to utilise all of the skills within the organisation to maintain the principal components of our work and seek new ways to attract new funding opportunities to fulfill the vision we collectively committed to at the AGM in June 2011.

We look to our members in the New Year to join us in a “Strategic Think Tank” to guide and support us in a common purpose at this difficult time and in this changed situation.

Central to that common purpose and at the core of our future vision is seeking Traveller ethnicity and to campaign for Traveller’s culture and contribution to be recognised and validated both in the consciousness of the people and the state infrastructure of Ireland. 

We look forward to working with you in 2012.

Damien Peelo
Director


21 December 2011

2.  Oprah Winfrey Network Looking For willing Participants

OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK LOOKING FOR WILLING PARTICIPANTS


The Oprah Winfrey Network is looking for a family that will allow us to film an upcoming wedding celebration over the course of 2-3 days for an episode of the new series called “Around the World.”  This film hopes to look at marriage rituals all over the world – from the Americas to Europe to Asia – and show the vast differences and surprising similarities between them.  We hope to go beyond stereotypes and preconceptions to show a real portrait of people practicing age-old traditions in an increasingly modern world … particularly for those living in a busy capital like Dublin. 


CONTENT OF THE PROGRAM


Some of the questions we will be exploring in each international story are: how does a community keep tradition relevant in a modern world?  What does a ritual such as marriage mean to each community?  What do love and relationships signify for a young man or a young woman, and what is the emotional impact of marriage?  Scenes from each wedding will play alongside each other … hopefully showing how distinctly unique each culture is, and yet, how universal some fundamentals of love and marriage are.


CORRECTING STEREOTYPES


We understand that there has been much continued discrimination and perpetuation of negative stereotypes of Irish Travellers, largely thanks to biased TV media coverage.  Our intentions are quite the opposite; rather, we hope to show an honest, un-manipulated picture of Travellers at a time of celebration and cultural significance.  We plan to keep an open dialogue with participants throughout the filming to be sure we are recording an accurate portrayal of Traveller customs and providing proper context … and staying far from sensationalism. 


FILMING LOGISTICS

We are hoping to film in either December or January for a period of 2-3 days.  Knowing that we are attending very personal family events, we bring a small crew of 4-5 people, and approach filming with much sensitivity to not intrude or force stereotypes or storylines.  We are not here to create reality television; rather, with award-winning cinematography and a compassionate approach, we are hoping to paint an honest portrait that conveys the diversity of not only the Irish Travellers, but the diversity within the Traveller community as well, in areas such as Dublin. 


This program will air on the Oprah Winfrey Network in the United States.  At this time, there is not immediate plan to syndicate the program to international networks, and while it will have a large audience in the States, it’s broadcast in Ireland or Europe is not yet known or guaranteed.
If you or your family has any interest in allowing us to film … or would like to know more … please do not hesitate to contact us.  Thank you very much. 

Contact: 

Catherine Yrisarri - Producer
catherine@part2pictures.com   or donncha@part2pictures.com

phone: 001-718-797-9024 (USA number)

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