ROMA culture and heritage has been celebrated in a unique online talent competition,

Glasgow-based charity Ando Glaso aims to support and nurture the skills of Scotland's various Roma communities.

And during lockdown they have given musicians and artists the chance to compete for the most public votes.

The competition ran during Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month on the Ando Glaso Facebook page.

Janos Lang of the charity, which was set up in 2016, said: “Roma culture and heritage is very important in the every day life of Roma people.

“The charity has worked to help people learn new skills and have more confidence and, in doing so, be part of mainstream Scottish life.

“I have seen what other organisations are doing with moving their work online and so I thought the online talent competition would be ideal when people are locked up in their homes.

“People had to make their submissions and then we posted them to be viewed on our Facebook page for the public to decide what one they like the most."

Scottish groups submitted music videos, such as Glasgow based Roma/Jewish/Scottish band Romacaleo.

The winner, though, was Romane Cierhenia Musician Group Glasgow with a lively outdoor video showing the groups's musicians, singers and dancers.

Having secured the highest number of public votes, the group has been awarded £500.

Two young artists, Maria Delia Vlad and Aliana Michalewicz, submitted drawings that impressed the judges so much they created two additional prizes.

Both budding artists have been given £50 vouchers to spend on art supplies.

Janos added: “The idea was to make sure Roma people were able to create and use their skills, knowledge and heritage.

"The videos were all shared on our Facebook page and we rewarded the most liked entry.

“We also had some kids enter the competition who were amazing so we gave some special prizes for them to buy art supplies.

“Hopefully we can extend the competition in the future and have more entries and more people involved next time.

“We did worry that some people will struggle to create videos or other content to enter because they don’t have the equipment so next time we run the competition we definitely want more equality and to address that issue.”

To view the music videos and artwork see Ando Glaso's Facebook page: www.https://www.facebook.com/Andoglaso