Stolen Childhood: Austrian Romany Ceija Stojka and her Past

Abstract

In her moving autobiographical accounts Wir leben im Verborgenen (1988) and Reisende auf dieser Welt (1992) and in the poetry volume Meine Wahl zu schreiben (2003), which includes images of some of her paintings, Austrian Lovara Romany Holocaust survivor Ceija Stojka creates a unique account of the pain and trauma of her childhood under the Nazis. Whilst presenting dystopian images of the suffering of her family she never becomes bitter, and offers substantial insights into the world of the Romanies. In so doing she reclaims in part her stolen childhood and highlights the importance of all children, whatever their racial origins.

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Notes on contributors

Susan Tebbutt

Susan Tebbutt, Head of German Studies at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, is the co-editor with Nicholas Saul of The Role of the Romanies (2004) and editor of Sinti and Roma: Gypsies in German-Speaking Society and Literature (1998). She is currently completing a cultural history of Romanies and genocide.