001.jpg In June 2003 A Roma /gypsy) Tv station hosted the MIss Roma International, with girls from 7 Balkan countries. It was a hectic experience, modeled on the traditional american beauty competitions. After two days of rehearsals, the girls practice the dance

002.jpg Zoran corrects the posture of Greta (25 from Bulgaria) ­ as the other girls nervously look on. Greta (25 from Bulgaria) is a folk singer in Bulgaria, and has already released one album. ÒI was supposed to be here only as a singer ­ but Zoran thought I hav

003.jpg Miriam organises the hair of one of the other girls. Despite the stress, they all became very close friends.

004.jpg The girls chat in a break between rehearsals. During the three days of intense dance rehearsals the girls have become really good friends. All of them said that one of the reasons they wanted to come was to meet other Roma girls from other places. Despite

005.jpg After two days of full practice and pressure from Zoran the organiser, the girls are exhausted. He wanted them to come dancing with him the night before the final, but most of them just want to sleep.

006.jpg Miriam (16 from Slovenia ­ the winner) has her hair done by one of the hairdressers backstage, there to help them. She is smiling, confident and charming. The hairdresser whispers to Miriam that she is sure she will win.

007.jpg Last minute panic seconds before they go to the catwalk to perform the dance. They also went on stage in a dress and bikini.

008.jpg Before going on stage to find out who the winner is, the girsl dance together in traditional Roma (gypsy) style. Showing solidariity and friendship for each other. All of them say the main reason they came was to meet other roma girls from other coutries.

009.jpg The dance they have practiced for days they finaly get to perform.

010.jpg Sanella (16 from Macedonia) one of the youngest contestants, has throughout the competition been constantly worried and insecure. Just before the winners are announced she settles down to pray while everybody else dances. "I wanted to know how it feels to

011.jpg On the first day of rehearsals (left to right) Sanella (16 from Macedonia), Gajla (22 from Bulgaria) and Imirzat (17 from Macedonia) practice the catwalk. It was the first hours of rehearsal and everybody was making mistakes out of sheer shyness and nervo

012.jpg Mitra (16 from Macedonia) at home. She was the third place winner, and the only of the 5 winners to be from Skopje. She lives in a Roma neighbourhood on the outskirts of Skojpe, where majority of the population is Roma; there is even a Roma major. Here sh

013.jpg A last touch of makeup before the girls go out on the catwalk.

014.jpg Gajla (22 from Bulgaria) helps Minka (20 from Slovenia) put on her make up. There was no bitchiness between the girls, and everybody helped each other with make up.

015.jpg Zoran has based the dance on Indian and Roma mythology and his believe in God, but it also contains a good dose of innocent striptease techniques. The girls enter in long skirts and dance behind a ÒveilÓ. After a while however they throw the veil, and hal

016.jpg Bajramsa (17 from Croatia) practices the way to walk and stop on the catwalk, she is quite confident having already won Miss Roma Croatia two years ago ­ a much smaller local affair. She says about the competition "I have all the support I need from my fa

017.jpg The girls line up to go onto the catwalk for the first time after the dancing. This time they will all walk out each one alone, and be introduced to the public. They are wearing ÒSkopski PivoÓ the main sponsor of the event t-shirts. From left to right Ami

018.jpg The day of the competition. As the rehearsal move from the floor onto the newly erected catwalk, the seriousness and reality of the event seems to dawn on the girls. In just a few hours they will be walking on that in front of hundreds of people. They wat

019.jpg Miriam dances with her father the night before the final.

020.jpg An hour before the show, the band has finished setting up their instruments. The men have sat down to watch the final rehearsals of the girls, with much enthusiasm, and cheer for every one. In between the girls a number of singers will perform in the show

021.jpg In between going on the catwalk during the show Mitra (16 from Macedonia) has her hair fixed while she smokes a cigarette. Mitra is really confident on the catwalk ÒI feel great after being out thereÓ. Her sister thinks she should be a model, but Mitra wa

022.jpg Gajla (25 from Bulgaria) (left) and Evelina (21 from Bosnia) show of their prices in Gajlas room late at night after the competition. Eveline got the second price, and Gajla won ÒMiss CharmingÓ. Evelina said after the competition: "I didn't expect this. I

023.jpg Miriam (16 from Slovenia ­ the winner) on stage surrounded by the other girls just after she has been pronounced the winner and received her crown. The other winners were: Gajla (25 from Bulgaria) who was ÒMiss CharmingÓ, Minka (20 from Slovenia) who was