According to one source, the Boldeni Roma's name "comes from the Bold locality near Bucharest" although it mentions that, now when "Boldeni" is used, it tends to mean "florist Roma (who deal with the trading of flowers ...) from the area and from the territory of Bucharest ... mainly in the districts of 'Tei' and 'Colentina'" (RERB 3 Nov. 1999). Bulgarian "gypsies-florists" were also the subject of an article in Sofia-based newspaper Noshten Trud (Balkan Neighbours Feb. 1998). The Research Directorate was unable to obtain a copy of this article within the time constraints of this Response.

The Boldeni group is identified as one of "at least 40 different" Roma sub-groups (ECOSOC 7 Feb. 2000), although a second description mentions that any differences among these groups

have gradually become less significant in countries such as Romania, due to "forced sedentarization, cultural amalgamation, and the refusal of governments to recognize Gypsies as a legitimate ethnic group." However ... these divisions within the Gypsy population still play an important role in present day Romania (Helsinki Watch 1991, 6-7)

Specifically describing the Boldeni Roma, a Romanian government official wrote the following passage in 1999:

At the moment, the Florists are the most homogenous ... among the Roma. Their legal occupation ... is regarded with sympathy. Due to this fact, they have shown a fast economic and social development.

The Florists tribe is a relatively new one. They date back from the period between the two World Wars....

This activity ... has its origins in the ancient Indian times. "Practising a special Indian profession the garland traders (malakara) were numerous and appreciated ... they made garland (mala) with a large variety of patterns, and they used grass munja, reed, cotton stalk as a support... [unattributed quote in source].

When the "role" of the flowers grew larger in Bucharest society as well, this occupation was developed by the wives of the Bricklayer gypsies (Zavragii (quarrelsome)) from the locality of Bold near Bucharest (RERB 3 Nov. 1999).

The Research Directorate was unable to find information concerning significant differences distinguishing the Boldeni from other Roma in terms of appearance or customs. Furthermore, the Research Directorate found no evidence suggesting that the Boldeni Roma are treated any differently from other Romanian Roma communities. For general information concerning the treatment of Roma in Romania, please consult ROM37506.E of 20 July 2001, ROM36419.E of 14 February 2001, ROM34916.E of 1 September 2000.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Balkan Neighbours. February 1998. Kamelia Anguelov. "The Image of the Bulgaria's [sic] Ethnic and Religious Minorities in the Bulgarian Press." http://www.access.online.bg/bn/reports/98-feb/bfeb-98.htm [Accessed 1 Aug. 2002]

Helsinki Watch. 1991. Destroying Ethnic Identity: The Persecution of Gypsies in Romania. New York: Human Rights Watch.

Roma Education Resource Book (RERB). 3 November 1999. Vol. 1. Vasile Burtea. "The Roma in the Synchrony and Diachrony of the Contact Population." http://www.osi.hu/iep/minorities/ResBook1/Synchrony.htm [Accessed 1 Aug. 2002]

Author Vasile Burtea was identified as being of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

United Nations. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). 7 February 2000. (E/CN.4/2000/16/Add.1) Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and All Forms of Racial Discrimination. http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/AllSymbols/C3CFE283FB91CAB6802568B0004F1C36/$File/G0010626.pdf?OpenElement [Accessed 1 Aug. 2002]

IRB Databases

NEXIS

Correspondence with an archivist for the Gypsy Lore Society's Victor Weybright Archive

Unsuccessful attempt to contact a Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who specialises in Gypsy culture and lore

Unsuccessful attempt to contact the ODHIR Adviser on Roma and Sinti issues

Internet sites including:

All the Web

Balkan Human Rights Web

Dom Research Centre (Cyprus)

Echo [Sofia, Bulgaria]

European Committee on Roma Emancipation

European Roma Rights Center

Evenimentul Zilei [in Romanian]

Greek Helsinki Committee

Gypsy Lore Society

Marushiakova, Elena and Vesselin Popov. Gypsies (Roma) in Bulgaria (1997)

Metacrawler

Patrin Web Journal

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Roma Community and Advocacy Centre

Romania.com

Romanian Cultural Resources

Romapage.org