Murska Sobota library hosts literary evening with Roma authors
Murska Sobota, 2 October - The Murska Sobota Regional Library has hosted a literary evening with Sandi Horvat and Marcel Baranja, who presented their new books while shedding light on Roma literary creativity while speaking about their experiences, challenges and cultural identity.
Murska Sobota
Poet Marcel Baranja and writer and journalist Sandi Horvat with their new books in front of the Murska Sobota Regional and Study Library.
Photo: Vida Toš/STA
Murska Sobota
Poet Marcel Baranja and writer and journalist Sandi Horvat with their new books in front of the Murska Sobota Regional and Study Library.
Photo: Vida Toš/STA
Murska Sobota
Marcel Baranja's collection of poems Your Gypsy Face Is Fading and Sandi Horvat's autobiographical book A White Roma.
Photo: Vida Toš/STA
Murska Sobota
Marcel Baranja's collection of poems Your Gypsy Face Is Fading and Sandi Horvat's autobiographical book A White Roma.
Photo: Vida Toš/STA
In Beli Rom (A White Roma), Horvat describes his growing up after he happened to learn at the age of 13 during a family conversation that his father and thus himself are Roma.
He told the STA on the occasion of the literary evening on Tuesday that the book is not only an autobiographical insight into his life but also a contribution to understanding the Roma culture and history and the Romas' challenges in contemporary society.
It focuses on cultural identity and integration, with Horvat highlighting the importance of education and self-discovery as key to breaking out of marginalisation.
Throughout the book, he explores his own upbringing and the influence of stereotypes about Roma that have shaped his view of the world.
He said education had enabled him to get an opportunity to work as a journalist and writer now. He works on programmes for the Roma community on the public broadcaster.
Horvat thus sees A White Roma as a motivational book because it brings the story of his life from childhood dreams about education to academic achievements, such as his Master's degree in intercultural management.
While this is not the first book Horvat has written, Baranja presented his debut collection of poems, Tvoj Ciganski Obraz Bledi (Your Gypsy Face Is Fading).
The poet told the STA that the poems are a result of his personal experiences and reflections as he describes his growing up in a Roma village.
The poems touch on themes such feelings of isolation and the longing for acceptance.
Both authors pointed out that Roma literature and poetry can make an important contribution to better understanding the Roma community.
They stressed the importance of dialogue and openness between cultures, expressing their wish to use literature to contribute to reducing prejudices and stereotypes.