The theme of family is the central motif in the book Family Above All ("Fameľija nadevše"), which will be published this November. This short story collection brings together the works of fifteen female authors from the Paramisara literary club, whose stories explore themes of family anxieties and hopes. In an effort to popularise Romani literature, is thus clearly the most important literary project of Slovo 21 so far.
The fifteen stories in the upcoming book come from the pen of authors who are part of the Paramisara literary club. Slovo 21 founded the club in 2019 with the goal of promoting original literary works in the Romani language. For emerging writers, the club becoms a space where they can develop their craft at the start of their careers and share experiences with established authors. Thanks to this, Family Above All was created, proving that Romani literature has much to offer a broader audience.
“The significance for all club members has been incredible. We received a lot of professional support. We could share our experiences and views on literature to each other. We could enrich each other. The result is a book, coming out this November,” commented Eva Danišová, one of the book’s editors, on the significance of the literary club. Another of the book's authors, Květa Podhradská, talks about how, thanks to the club, she can pass on her writing skills to the next generation: “Paramisara has been of a great benefit to me, because what I didn’t know in the beginning, I can now pass on to more and more children I’ve brought to Parmisara, where they can publish.” Thanks to this, the book features stories from both emerging and established authors, creating a diverse literary mosaic that remains thematically cohesive—just as the title suggests: Family.
Fifteen female authors explore vulnerability in our closest relationships in their texts.They explore the nature of the changing established order and the anxiety we face amidst changing social moods. The stories speak to troubling issues, of boundary crossing and forgiveness. The themes the authors raise speak to universal experiences, which are close to readers everywhere.
The book launch will take place on November 5, the International Romani Language Day, at KC Vozovna at 7 PM.
