Nikolay Bessonov is a specialist in Romany studies. He is the author of the site "ROMS OF RUSSIA". He published a some articles in different media, including
Gypsy newspapers and magazines. His article about evolution of Romany dress was published in 1999 in collection
Gypsies of Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology. The article was future development of ideas of
Francois de Vaix de Folitier and Lech Mroz. New version of the research appeared in the book Romany History
- a New Approach published in 2000. In the last book Bessonov presents a some groundbreaking ideas - in
particular regarding the development of Russian-Gypsy folklore and about relationship between antigypsy laws
and economic crisis in Western Europe.
Special authenticity to Bessonov's researches adds his involvement in in Gypsy surroundings. He is friends
with members of many ethnical Gypsy groups: Russka Roma, Servi, Kelderasha, Vlakhi, Lovari, Lotfi, Kishiniovtsi,
Hungarian gypsies, Moldavian gypsies and Mugat. During his expeditions Bessonov collected large photo archive
about three last ethnical groups. The life in Gypsy tents helps Bessonov to get into the habits and
folklore. He has videotaped exclusive and unique events from Gypsy life, and his Gypsy archive is the
biggest in Moscow. The archives tend to get bigger because Bessonov permanently and persistently works in
different scientific libraries and museums. He works also in private and State archives - in particular in the
Theatre Romen. He also exchanges information with foreign researchers.
His knowledge and collected files were exploited in musical Gypsy projects:
- CD-ROM Barenh droma - the producer M.Smirnova-Seslavinscaya. 2001. Moscow.
- album of two CD-ROMs Russian gypsy soul. Network. 2000. Frankfurt/Main
- album of four CD-ROMs The Best Gypsy Songs of XX century. - the collector Nicolay Erdenco. Familia
entertainment. Moscow, 2000.
N.Bessonov was a scientific consultant for TV-program Gypsy question. The movie tells about
prejudice of public mentality and real life of Gypsy people.
The publicist monography of N.Bessonov Gypsies and media (М., 2000.) dedicated to the racist
interpretation of Gypsy subject in Russian magazines, newspapers and TV-programs.
Now the author writes the monograph dedicated to Roms-Kishiniovtzi. At this moment the group of moldavian
origin almost had not been described in the literature. Kishiniovtzi occupate an honorable place in the hierarchy of
ethno-groups because their financial state is stable and durable, traditions are strong, and their Romanes
dialect is the idioma of everyday relationship.
Bessonov makes noticeable efforts to popularize Gypsy history. In particular he represented in the
exhibition Gypsies under the Russia's sky many photographs and cultural things of Gypsy past.
While working on the research about Afro-Americans' History, Bessonov pays big attention to ethnographically
specific features. He cooperates with the leading specialists who consult him in different subjects.
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