by Amira Mohamed, Bristol Women’s Voice Volunteer
On Tuesday 15 April, we had the pleasure of hearing the powerful and moving story of Brândușa Rotaru, a Romanian-born artist, educator, and advocate for self-expression and healing.
Growing up
Born with Marfan Syndrome and standing taller than most children her age, she faced bullying from as early as six years old. Her grandparents once bought her a table because the school’s furniture didn’t fit her body. Feeling different became a constant.
Growing up in a Romanian strict school, she witnessed that children with learning difficulties were sent to separate schools due to a lack of support, a clear difference from the inclusive, community-based approach she found in the UK.
Travelling in Northern Europe
After completing her bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education ( with dissertation focused on international students’ experiences in Northampton), she began travelling from Romania to Northampton to London, Oslo, Bucharest, Glastonbury and finally Bristol.
Her journey wasn’t linear. She left a toxic relationship, felt lost and turned to fasting, meditation and therapy to reconnect with herself.
Finding the Golden Thread
Art, however, was her constant. From customising her school bags to sewing her own clothes, creativity became her “golden thread”, a personal hero and a safe space where no one could define her worth.
Despite feeling rejected by society and her family, she slowly found her purpose through creative expression and community work.
In Glastonbury, a chance meeting with a chef led her to Bristol, a city where she could begin again and where her art could finally speak for her.
Her story reminds us that healing often comes through expression, that creativity is a form of resistance, and that in finding ourselves, we often discover how to help others feel seen too.
Find our next Migrant Women Talks here.
