“Picturesque in the garb of her tribe, fascinating, whimsical, humorous and with each word clothed with a happiness of spirit, Dolores Cortez, the leader of the Gypsies of the noble land of Spain, spoke last evening before the Woman’s Press Club.
The meeting was one of the pleasant evening affairs, and a large audience gathered at the assembly hall in the Blanchard building to participate in Gypsy evening.
Dolores Cortez, better known as Queen Stella, read a history of her eventful life full of expectations, realizations, poetry, music…
Although she acquitted the language of her country, her speech whenever possible was given in the Romany, the language of the Gypsies, which is ever the same wherever the tribe can be located…
It is but a short time since Queen Stella has come to these shores, and her mission is to find home for her tribe in Southern California but the choice for a home of 4200 Gypsies is not easily determined upon.”
Los Angeles Sunday Herald, 15 January, 1905
“Dolores Cortez or “Queenie” as she is generally called… has planned an entertainment that promises to be both spirited and novel… It is to be “An Evening in Gypsy Land” and will be held in Simpson auditorium on the evening of April 10…
The more serious part of the program will be an account of some Gypsy traditions and a discussion of the question “What Civilization Can Give to the Gypsy and What the Gypsy Can Give to Civilization”. In the discussion it is expected that several prominent men and women of the city will participate.”
Los Angeles Herald, 2 April, 1905
“Americans have houses but no homes”.
“Americans have laws but they will not stand”.
“Americans have education but it comes from words”.
Thus spoke Dolores, queen of the Gypsies, last night at Simpson auditorium. It was an evening in Gypsy land – Gypsy land with all its wonderful tradition, filled with music and poetry – the land of the dance.
Dolores Cortez, who says she has come to America to seek land for her tribe against a coming of a day when they will no longer be free in Spain, has some strong opinions as to what the Gypsy can give to civilization, as well as what the civilization can give to the Gypsy, and these she set forth last night. She first gave a sketch of the history of her people and later answered questions from members of the audience.
“You Gypsies, you have no home life”, said one.
“Ah, but our home is with the man we love; it is in love. You have houses but you have no homes...”
When someone else ventured to remark that the Gypsies have no laws, Dolores quickly answered that the laws of her people are of God and nature, while in America there is different law in every state…
Again, when the subject of education was brought up, Dolores answered that while Americans go into the school room to learn words, Gypsies go to nature to learn things…”
Los Angelis Herald, 11 April, 1905.
It is April again, 120 years later, but where are the Gypsy queens and kings looking to the future? Where are the dreamers and adventurers? Where is the “Free Gypsy Spirit”? Maybe Romani people lost something on the way to “civilization”, and now need to take a few steps back. Back to the future.
Happy 8th of April!
