Yelis Erolova Current Project Yelis Erolova Curriculum Vitae Current Project Material Culture and Ethnic Identity of Roma/Gypsies In the beginning of the XXI century in Bulgaria and Romania being in process of European integration, are running changes in the identity of the different communities and they lead to changes in their ethno-culture, which is necessary to be researched and reflected. The research training project aims to describe the correlation between material culture and ethnic identity of Roma/Gypsies, who live in Romania. The material culture is directly connected to the level of development of economics, to the structure of social relations and features of geographical environment, where its consumer lives. It's focuses on ethnical common and specific things and keeps local peculiarities and variations of culture on that base. The connections between traditions and innovations in material culture and personal self-identification on group, regional, national and international level and the function of the elements of material culture (food, dress, house and etc.) as an ethno-defining factor will be researched. The implementation of the current research project will contribute to the revealing of the condition, functioning and role of the material culture of the Roma/Gypsy community as a part of European cultural variety.