Ceija Stojka – författare

First English translation of the memoirs of Austrian Romani Holocaust survivor, writer, visual artist, musician, and activist Ceija Stojka (1933-2013), along with poems, an interview, historical photos, and reproductions of her artworks."Is this the whole world?" This question begins the first of three memoirs by Austrian Romani writer, visual artist, musician, and activist Ceija Stojka (1933-2013), told from her perspective as a child interned in three Nazi concentration camps from age nine to twelve. Written by a child survivor much later in life, the memoirs offer insights into the nexus of narrative and extreme trauma, expressing the full spectrum of human emotions: fear and sorrow at losing loved ones; joy and relief when reconnecting with family and friends; desire to preserve some memories while attempting to erase others; horror at acts of genocide, and hope arising from dreams of survival.In addition to annotated translations of the three memoirs, the book includes two of Stojka's poems and an interview by Karin Berger, editor of the original editions of Stojka's memoirs, as well as color reproductions of several of her artworks and historical photographs. An introduction contextualizes her works within Romani history and culture, and a glossary informs the reader about the "concentrationary universe." Because the memoirs show how Stojka navigated male-dominated postwar Austrian culture, generally discriminatory to Roma, and the patriarchal aspects of Romani culture itself, the book is a contribution not only to Holocaust Studies but also to Austrian Studies, Romani Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies.

First English translation of the memoirs of Austrian Romani Holocaust survivor, writer, visual artist, musician, and activist Ceija Stojka (1933-2013), along with poems, an interview, historical photos, and reproductions of her artworks."Is this the whole world?" This question begins the first of three memoirs by Austrian Romani writer, visual artist, musician, and activist Ceija Stojka (1933-2013), told from her perspective as a child interned in three Nazi concentration camps from age nine to twelve. Written by a child survivor much later in life, the memoirs offer insights into the nexus of narrative and extreme trauma, expressing the full spectrum of human emotions: fear and sorrow at losing loved ones; joy and relief when reconnecting with family and friends; desire to preserve some memories while attempting to erase others; horror at acts of genocide, and hope arising from dreams of survival.In addition to annotated translations of the three memoirs, the book includes two of Stojka's poems and an interview by Karin Berger, editor of the original editions of Stojka's memoirs, as well as color reproductions of several of her artworks and historical photographs. An introduction contextualizes her works within Romani history and culture, and a glossary informs the reader about the "concentrationary universe." Because the memoirs show how Stojka navigated male-dominated postwar Austrian culture, generally discriminatory to Roma, and the patriarchal aspects of Romani culture itself, the book is a contribution not only to Holocaust Studies but also to Austrian Studies, Romani Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies.

Als 1988 der erste Teil von Ceija Stojkas Erinnerungen erschien, läuteten das Buch und die charismatische Präsenz der Autorin eine neue Ära in der Geschichte der Roma und Sinti ein, deren Leiden - nicht nur - im Nationalsozialismus nicht länger hinter der Fassade einer künstlichen Romantik vertuscht werden konnten. Als Erste wagte sich Ceija Stojka aus dem Verborgenen hervor und tat nichts weiter als erzählen - mit großer Wirkung, etwa der Anerkennung der Roma und Sinti als österreichische Volksgruppe. Ceija Stojkas Erinnerungen aus den beiden Büchern "Wir leben im Verborgenen" und "Reisende auf dieser Welt" sind nun hier erstmals zusammengefasst und erzählen von der Kindheit in der Zeit der Pferdewagen, von der Verfolgung und dem Überleben in den Konzentrationslagern und von den Versuchen, in der Nachkriegswelt Fuß zu fassen, die neuerlich keinen Platz für Roma und Sinti vorgesehen hatte.Stojkas Erinnerungen werden durch Gespräche mit Karin Berger ergänzt, die auch in einem berührenden Essay aus der Welt Ceija -Stojkas nach ihrem Schritt ins Rampenlicht erzählt.