The Roma community is fully integrated throughout the city of Jerez, but there was a time when they had a street named after them. With a look back at the past, but also an eye to the future, the city wanted to recognize the deep-rooted and prolific presence of the Roma people with the unveiling of a plaque on the former “Gypsy Street” (now Gómez Carrillo Street) as part of theommemorations of Andalusian Gypsy Day, celebrated every November 22nd.
The event, presided over by the Mayor of Jerez, María José García-Pelayo, accompanied by Deputy Mayors Agustín Muñoz and Jaime Espinar, and councilors Francisco Zurita and Carmen Pina, was organized by the Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG).
For the Mayor of Jerez, “we want to be a European Capital of Culture and we want to grow as a city, to have a city where everyone can live well, but if we lose our identity, our roots, we lose everything. Today we are paying tribute to the Roma people of Jerez, recovering the memory of Jerez because this street was the street of the Roma, and we are ensuring that it remains forever in the memory of all the people of Jerez”.
The social and cultural inclusion of the Roma community in the city is one of the unique aspects of Jerez’s bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2031. In fact, the International Congress on Roma Heritage and Culture was held in Jerez this very week. This event marked the closing activity of the commemorative program that, throughout 2025, celebrated the 600th anniversary of the presence of the Gypsy People in our country.
