The Marginalised Romani Culture in Greek Society and Its Portrayal in Greek Children’s Literature
Abstract
In Greek children’s literature, very few books deal with Roma children, especially in a protagonist role – therefore, the aim of this article is to examine literary representations of Roma children. The four books presented in this paper help the youngest readers understand how marginalised this social group is in the context of Greek society. Adopting the basic principles of multicultural literature as well as the method of imagology or cultural iconology, it can be said that prejudices and stereotypes are projected through literary characters. In addition, the perpetual persecution of the Roma people is revealed in the works analysed herein, including their genocide during the Second World War. The ideological stance of the books is one of friendliness towards Roma children, even though the racist and suspicious attitude of non-Roma is not in any way glossed over or concealed. In conclusion, according to the authors of the article, what is missing in Greek and European children’s literature is the authentic portrayal of Roma and the authentic voices of Roma writers.
Received: 28.12.2021
Accepted: 26.04.2022
Keywords
Angeliki Darlasi; authentic multicultural children’s literature; genocide; Maroula Kliafa; Philip Mandilaras; Pitsa Sotirakou; Roma children in Greece; racism; stereotypes
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Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6343-4792
Meni Kanatsouli – PhD, Professor in the Department of Early Childhood Education of the School of Education at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece). Her research interests include gender studies, multiculturalism, and historical issues in children’s literature. Contact: menoula@nured.auth.gr.
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5096-2211
Rosy-Triantafyllia Angelaki – PhD, works at the Department of Early Childhood Education of the School of Education at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece). Her research interests include children’s literature, history, and gender studies. Contact: angelaki@nured.auth.gr.
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