ROMANIA: BUZESCO: WEALTHY GYPSIES

(16 Mar 2000) Romanian/Nat
The Romani people, also known as gypsies, are vilified in western Europe and labelled "the beggars" of the European continent.
But it seems this unflattering portrayal isn't always true.
One village in Romania is home to many newly wealthy Gypsies - who've made their pile after the fall of communism.
Many of the four-thousand townspeople of Buzescu, in Romania, are gypsies.
But contrary to unflattering stereotypes, they're doing just fine.
Their houses are opulent.
They own luxury cars and they wear expensive jewellery.
And, they say, their money has come from the sweat of their brows - it's not the proceeds of begging in the West.
Many Gypsies here have benefited from the seeds of capitalism sewn in the East after the fall of communism.
Mihai Fieraru is one.
His family has been plying the copper trade for generations - and recently it's paid off very nicely.
SOUNDBITE (Romanian)
"We have been doing this forever. This skill is passed down from father to son and all that you see around is made with our honest work."
SUPER CAPTION: Mihai Fieraru, Gypsy Coppersmith
Other residents of Buzescu slipped over the border to the West - legally or illegally - did well and returned to start businesses.
Still others have benefited from a government programme returning property and gold, confiscated by the communist government after World War Two.
The money has made many of the gypsies very wealthy.
Though, you'll still find the odd resident who wants to return to western Europe.
SOUNDBITE: (Romanian)
"I was in Germany and it was very good and if I found some work I would return with pleasure. I would pay a bribe for a visa."
SUPER CAPTION: Titi Florea, Gypsy
But the vast majority of Buzescu residents want to stay just where they are.
Mihai Ilie is the richest man in village.
He's called "the Spaniard" because he owns so much gold.
These are just some of the kilos of gold chains Ilie has in his home - but some of his wealth is more difficult to lose. (He laughs to show his teeth).
SOUNDBITE: (Romanian)
"I have worked hard since I was a little kid. All that you see here I made here in Romania. I have never been abroad, not even next door in Bulgaria, or Germany. All that I've done, I have done it here."
SUPER CAPTION: Mihai Ilie, Buzescu's wealthiest resident
It's all a far cry from reports in British newspapers, of an underground network smuggling Romanian gypsies into the U-K to become "professional beggars."

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