Romani People
Roma Writers' Club
"A shelf for Romani literature in every library." Since 2017, we have been consistently raising awareness of Romani literature and supporting Romani writers in their creative work. Romani literature remains overlooked, not only among Roma but also within Czech society as a whole. Our goal is to change that—we host literary readings, engage in media activities, and, most importantly, work actively with authors from the Paramisara writers' club.
Our journey
· In 2017, we launched the project Gavoro/Village, through which we began raising awareness of Romani literature among both the Romani community and the general public.
· In 2019, we founded the Romani writers' club Paramisara/Storytellers, whose members include writers from all over the country.
· In 2021, we published the poetry collection E Phuv by the talented Romani poet Martin Oláh.
· In 2021, a monograph on Romani literature by Romani studies scholar Karolína Ryvolová was also published With a Pencil Stub on a Cuff: The Story of Romani Literature.
About the Writers' Club
The founding of a Romani "PEN club" in 2019 was a natural step in our efforts to revitalize the Romani language and support original Romani literary work. There are many amateur Romani writers in the Czech Republic whose talent needs to be systematically supported and developed, so that one day they may become published authors.
The club's name, Paramisara, is rooted in the tradition of Romani storytellers who passed down legends, tales, and wisdom from generation to generation. Current members of the club include Ilona Ferková, Eva Danišová, Květoslava Podhradská, Stáňa Miková, and Marie Siváková. Today, the club has around 25 authors of all generations who meet regularly at our creative writing workshops and public events.
Books written in Romani capture our language for future generations. I am very happy that I can write in my native language and proud when I can read at events and watch people listening intently. Even if some non-Roma don't quite understand it. But it gives me the feeling that our language will never die out, says Ilona Ferková.
Family Above All
On International Romani Language Day, November 5, 2024, we will launch the first short story collection by 15 writers from the Paramisara club. The book is titled Family Above All and all its stories revolve around the theme of family. This is our most significant literary project, providing a platform for previously unpublished authors to share their work. The collection was edited by Eva Danišová and Lenka Jandáková.
The Roma Writers' Club is currently supported by: Bader Philanthropies, the City of Prague, the Ministry of Culture, and the State Culture Fund of the Czech Republic.
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"It’s as if we’ve known each other forever." Marie Siváková on the power of Elena Gorolová’s story in the book by Slovo 21
Pain. Anger. A silence that lasted for decades. The topic of forced sterilizations has returned to public debate in recent weeks, partly due to the compensation of victims. The new book Podphandle mašľičkenca – Tied with Ribbons, published by Slovo 21 at the end of last year, has also sparked strong reactions.
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Podphandle mašľičkenca – Tied with Ribbons. Slovo 21 is publishing literary testimonies from Romani women regarding forced sterilizations.
Forced sterilizations, supported by the state for decades, have altered the lives of thousands of Romani women and their families. Yet, Czech literature has remained almost silent on this trauma until now. Slovo 21 and our Romani writers' club, Paramisara, have decided to at least partially fill this gap. We are therefore publishing a collection of short stories titled Podphandle mašľičkenca – Tied with Ribbons.
Blows from a frozen chicken and dreams of a departed mother. This year's storytelling at Khamoro was filled with laughter and fond memories.
Those who listened closely may have learned a thing or two about their own desires, worries, and joys. The evening, dedicated to the Romani tradition of vakeriben (storytelling), was hosted by members of the Paramisara Romani writers' club, whose stories touched on the theme of the Romani family. Even the musicians from the Gipsy Brothers, joined by David Kraus, eventually began sharing their own stories, and the evening flew by all too quickly.
A source of inspiration for writing and an opportunity to right a wrong. – What does the Paramisara club mean to Romani women writers?
At the beginning of January, Prague hosted a meeting of the Paramisara literary club, which brings together Romani writers. The club is part of Slovo 21’s efforts to support the flourishing of the Romani language and the original work of authors, who are given the opportunity to gather inspiration as well as useful skills.
Fameľija nadevše – Slovo 21 publishes a collection of short stories by Romani authors
Supporting Romani literature has long been a priority for the Slovo 21 association. The short story collection Fameľija nadevše (Family Above All) brings together the work of fifteen authors from the Paramisara Romani writers' club, whose stories focus on the universal theme of family.
Fameľija nadevše - a short story collection that reveals the truth about our relationships
The theme of family is central to the book Fameľija nadevše (Family above all), which will be released this November. This short story collection brings together the work of fifteen authors from the Paramisara literary club, who explore themes of family anxieties and hopes in their stories.
