The book shows the connections between the cultural and social dimensions of citizenship and, focusing on the Roma, demonstrates "why culture matters" in contemporary debates about exclusion, nationalism and national, European and minority belonging in post-[...]ope.

It draws on long-term fieldwork with Roma communities and shows the impact of Roma representations and self-representations (including in music and dance performances, television soaps, political debates and discourses and in society more generally) on the experiences and perceptions of Roma minority belonging and citizenship.

It uses performance to illuminate how different Roma experience citizenship or its lack: from everyday encounters analysed through a performance lens, to music, dance and public performances, through which Roma claim citizenship and belonging.

Using an intersectional lens, the book highlights the diversity of Roma experiences and demonstrates how transnational politics, including Romania's EU membership, and neoliberal policies have influenced the construction of Roma identities.