STUDIO90S

Saints Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer's little French coastal town holds one of the most important religious Gypsy festivals every year on the 24th and 25th of May.

"I see my father's gypsy soul everywhere"

For the first time in her life, Sophie Courgey is experiencing her Gypsyism

"Sara-La-Kali"

Hundreds and thousands of Gypsies, Travellers, Romas and Gitans flock to the handful of streets of the Provencal port town to celebrate the Patron Saint of the Gypsies, Sara-la-Kali or Saint Sarah.

The Gitans

Saints Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome 

Many pilgrims came to see the relics of the saints to gain forgiveness or seek some cure for their sickness.

"I hope is not too late to became Gypsy" 

"My father wanted to protect me by not educating me to be a Gypsy. But I always missed belonging to somewhere, to be something, to be a gypsy"

"Legend"

According to legends, after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, three of his followers, called the Three Marys, trying to escape from the persecution of the Romans, arrived on the shores of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Depending on the versions told, Sara-la-Kali was either a servant of the Marys who was also cast adrift or a Gypsy woman living in the area who welcomed them ashore

The chosen 

Young Gypsy boy - he is one of the chosen ones who can carry the holy flag

The Gitans

Bless

The Bishop, on board one of the traditional fishers' boats, blesses the sea, the region, the pilgrims and the Gypsies.

Cure 

Many pilgrims came to see the relics of the saints to gain forgiveness or seek some cure for their sickness.

"It's time to find myself" 

Sophie's whole life has been accompanied by a search for identity. She said maybe I would find myself here.

Young Gypsy girl in the procession