Roma Communities in Macedonia, 2006

In 2006, Amanda Fornal traveled with a three-person documentary team to document Roma communities in Macedonia, now North Macedonia. The photographic archive covers communities in Delčevo, Kočani, Kriva Palanka, Pepelište, Skopje, and Šuto Orizari.

The project documented homes, daily life, children, community organizations, and local perspectives on relations between Roma and non-Roma residents. It also examined the poverty, limited resources, social exclusion, and political obstacles affecting Roma-led organizations seeking to establish community services.

Safet Tairov and Human Heart Explodes

A central subject was Safet Tairov, a Roma community advocate working to establish a kindergarten for children in his community. His efforts encountered severe resource constraints, limited institutional support, opposition from the town’s mayor, and resistance from some non-Roma residents.

Tairov’s campaign became the subject of Human Heart Explodes. Released in 2006, the film follows the personal, economic, social, and political challenges surrounding Tairov’s attempt to create the kindergarten.

Project Details

Photographic Documentation: 2006
Country at the Time: Macedonia
Current Official Name: Republic of North Macedonia
Locations Documented: Delčevo, Kočani, Kriva Palanka, Pepelište, Skopje, and Šuto Orizari
Documentary: Human Heart Explodes
Runtime: Approximately 75 minutes