Scholarly record

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROMA LITERATURE IN SLOVAKIA AND THE MAPPING OF ITS CURRENT SITUATION

Gizela Tothova

Abstract

The subject of my study is to map the literature written by Roma people in Slovakia. Slovakia is one of the European countries where Roma people represent the second largest minority. My research therefore focused on drawing attention to the literary works of authors of Roma origin and on taking stock of the literature written by Roma people in Slovakia. Textual analysis and content analysis were the chosen methods for the research. First, the study clarifies whether there exists Roma literature, or there simply are literary works of authors of Roma origin. My study includes not only Roma-language literary works but also Hungarian-language and Slovak-language works written by Roma authors in Slovakia. Slovakia has several successful Roma authors; the present study focuses inter alia on the works of the following Roma writers: Dezider Banga (1939), Jan Berky-Luborecky (1940), Daniela Hivesova-Silanova (1952 – 2008), Elena Lackova (1921 – 2003), and Jozsef Ravasz (1949). Since the public perception of Roma people is based on misconceptions and skewed views, an important aim of the study is to make Roma literature known. The results of the research will be included in my doctoral dissertation, as it has aimed at the creation of a draft methodological guidance that will allow the inclusion of Roma tales in the curriculum of primary schools within the framework of state educational programmes. I believe it is very important that literary works written by Roma authors hold an equivalent position in relation to works of non-Roma writers in the education system of Slovakia

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