Gypsies in the Post-Soviet Space and in Europe: Historical, Social, and Cultural Prospects

Abstract

The article is an attempt at examining the historical, social, and cultural prospects of the Gypsies in the post-Soviet space. Today in Europe (including Russia), there is from 10 to 18 million Gypsies, according to various estimates, which is more than, for example, either Denmark’s or Scotland’s population. Yet there are very few ethnological studies of them. Virtually lacking are the works that would discuss and analyze the contemporary social economic and legal situation of the Gypsies in Eastern European countries and post-socialist Russia, as well as the present day problems that the Gypsies came to face in the context of societies under reform. The article offers a detailed survey of these and other issues.