T H E S T O P P I N G P L A C E
In partnership with Newham Music Education Hub,
University of East London and the Wiener Holocaust Library
"My family have been performing Roma music for generations and the chance to bring the history of my people and our music to a wider audience so they can understand us better is very important to me."
Sindy Czureja, Roma Artist and Consultant
The Stopping Place is a powerful new choral opera work drawing on music of the Roma tradition and staging the history of the Roma samudaripen [holocaust] with two leading roles in the repertoire for Roma artists and a chorus, choir & orchestra drawn from secondary schools in Newham, East London.
Pusomori and Kaven are half-sisters born into the Romani community but now living in two very different worlds. Separated as teenagers Pusomori continues travelling while Kaven, a poshrat ['mixed blood' Roma] has settled. A ‘Big Halt’ has been announced meaning that gypsies are no longer permitted to travel. Kaven returns to meet her sister at their family atchin tan [stopping place] but what price is she prepared to pay for being a sister, a daughter, a Romani?
Hear more from our wonderful performers and young participants
We're excited to launch the 'Show Album' with the original cast, chorus and Bridging Sounds Orchestra Autumn 2026
We worked closely with Dr Barbara Warnock, Co-Director of the Weiner Holocaust Library drawing on their international archive of the Roma Samudaripen [holocaust] in developing the story, libretto and stage design as well as kindly hosting a symposia and installation at the Library. We created a digital ‘Patrin’ hosting testimonies of contemporary Roma voices celebrating what Roma culture and community means to them. Patrin is the Roma word for the signposts, symbols and messages that Roma people would traditionally leave for each other at the ‘atchin tans’ or ‘stopping places’ for their fellow travellers.
The Roma Patrin
The project would not have been possible without the generous advice, support and
guidance of the Roma Support Group.
