Obscure years of Soviet Roma literature (1939–1941)

Abstract

Abstract:The history of Soviet Roma literature from the middle of 1938 to the beginning of the Second World War cannot be explored through an analysis of published books, since no books were published in those years. Moreover, a very specific chronological dilemma arises. In Soviet historiography, the events of the Second World War, which began on 22 June 1941, are considered separately from the events of the war that took place beyond the territory of the USSR. This period is also significant for the history of Soviet Roma literature, since for a period lasting almost two years–from September 1939 to June 1941 (when the interwar period formally ended)–Roma writers enjoyed a time of relative peace, which they spent in an intense search for new opportunities, interactions with authorities, and attempts to revive Roma book publishing. This article presents a study and analysis of this period based on previously unexamined archival documents and letters from Roma writers. The analysis of these documents helps create a picture of this time period and clarifies aspects of the plans and hopes that Roma writers had "relatively speaking, after the brief era of Romani Gutenberg."