Velvet Blues: The Twentieth Century in the Stories of Czechoslovak Roma

Throughout history, the Romani people—as representatives of an oral culture—have been written about by outsiders, often idealised, defamed, or condemned, but seldom portrayed accurately. Only in the last century have the Roma begun to speak for themselves through their own writing.This anthology brings together fifteen Romani authors from former Czechoslovakia, whose stories reflect the people, places, and experiences that shaped their lives. Moving between rural Eastern Slovakia, postwar Czech towns, and contemporary cities, these narratives confront hardship and discrimination while affirming pride, resilience, and a deep connection to Romani language, culture, and community. Together, they offer a picture far removed from the stock character of “the Gypsy” pervasive in world literature.