Romské pohádky – Hübschmannová Milena (2025)

The original collection of folk tales and stories by the founder of Czech Romani studies, Milena Hübschmannová, contains 71 texts recorded during the 1950s to 1970s in the territory of what was then Czechoslovakia and first published in 1973. The stories are characterized by 'vitality, drama, wit, independent use of international folklore motifs, a desire for justice, and an effort to overcome life's hardships,' and were recorded among the Roma of Slovak and Hungarian ethnic groups. The book is categorized according to common practices into animal and magical tales, folk stories, humor, anecdotes, and legends. 'A true folk tale,' as the editor states, 'was not intended for children at all; it did not address them, but was told by adults on various occasions to pass the time, to entertain themselves, or to cope – often harshly and cruelly – with enemies, social situations, or their own shortcomings, against which they were actually powerless.' Collected, translated from Romani, with a preface written and publishing notes provided by Milena Hübschmannová. The book is published with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the State Fund for Culture.