However, this month the London International Gypsy Film Festival Finding Romanistan brings both film and exhibitions about Gypsy experiences to Central London.

Four cinemas across London host the film screenings, centred on the Curzon Soho. The films come from across Europe - Russia, France, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary - as well as a film giving a glimpse into the lives of the Domari - a small group of Indian descent in Iran.

The films document modern gypsy lives, as well as telling the story of the expulsions and genocides of the 20th century.

Exhibitions are also associated with the film: a selection of cliche-subverting images by Gypsy artists will be showing at the Curzon Soho throughout the festival. Daniel Baker, Ferndinand Koci, Damian and Delaine La Bas describe the position of Travellers in the world today through their personal experience. The art-work features a variety of types from patchwork to abstract painting as well as sketching. The pieces range from "No Travellers" in curling script across a mirror, to subtle juxtapositions of the pastoral with the threatening.

The aim with most of these pieces of work is to try and tell the onlooker stories of the individual and the community. There are about a dozen pieces on show, and everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you are coming to see a film.

The National Theatre is hosting a exhibition of photos by Melanie Wagner called Traveltopia. It shows the remains of a nomadic lifestyle on a permanent Romany caravan site, and portrays the ambition to preserve Romany heritage.

Meanwhile, in the heart of the Inns of Court, Garden Court Chambers are pinning their colours to the mast. The firm has a history of defending Gypsy and Traveller groups in the courts.

Now they are hosting a small exhibition of half a dozen images in their courtyard. The pictures were taken by Traveller children and were first shown outside the Museum of Childhood last year.

See more of Mel Wagner's pictures of Travelling families on her Traveltopia website