Queer Parastas (Vigil) by Oana

Parastas is the Romanian word for vigil, it comes from the Ancient Greek verb παρίστημι (paristemi - to stand beside). This vigil is designed as a queer coming together in a collective practice of grief and empowering remembrance of our lost ones. It is rooted in Oana’s own decolonial spiritual practice informed by Balkan Romani culture and ancestral Desi practices.

There will be a communal small meal of vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free food (Masoor Dal with Basmati rice). At the end of the vigil, Oana will perform a self-devised ritual of purification and regeneration inspired by the Romani celebration of Ederlezi and ancestral Desi spiritual practices, which participants are encouraged to participate in by entering the sea.

About the host

Oana is a gender fluid dyke of Romani heritage and survivor of attempted lesbophobic murder who has been active in the Romani feminist, LBTQIA+ and decolonial movements in Romania, Germany and Spain. They are trained as a chef in Romanian and Indian cuisine. 

They study ayurvedic ancestral texts and practice yoga exclusively with Desi and black instructors.