On the (in)visible roma women writers in France: canon and marges

Abstract

Roman / gypsy cultures, present in Europe for centuries, are the expression of the largest European minority so far and the most unknowns. The V Romani World Congress, at Prague in 2000, focused on their identity, historical and political opinions, gave them a "new visibility". However, their literature remains absent in most of the manuals, educational programs and institutions.

This article raises a critical reflection on Roma literature and on the social and political discourses of the French dominant culture that condition the reception and legitimization of their cultural productions. We postulate the relevance of an intersectionnal, decolonial and feminist approach through the analysis of the difficulties within their commitment to French literary history.

Starting from the literary production of several women writers that militate against anti-Roma prejudices and who are committed to the transmission of their people’s memory and to the female experiences of resistance.