Julien: the man who became a saint to French Roma
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In Lézignan-Corbières, a town in southern France, people within the Roma community revere Julien Gimenez, who died in 1982, as a saint or elder.
Residents of the Escouto Can Plaou settlement, created after World War II to house Roma and other traditionally nomadic groups, keep his photograph in their homes as a symbol of respect and remembrance. Julien’s family settled in Escouto in the 1960s, and multiple generations continue to live there today, preserving his memory.
The Escouto settlement reflects a history of policies that segregated Roma communities to the outskirts of towns, based on perceived cultural identity. Streets within Escouto honor Roma culture, including one named for the famous guitarist Ricardo Baliardo, known as Manitas de Plata. Juanita Gimenez, Julien’s great-granddaughter, and her son Gaby, along with his son Esteban, represent the family’s continued presence in Escouto.
They maintain Julien’s image and legacy within their home, and the community continues a quiet devotion to the man they call “Coustoumoi” or “Jailliou.”
