The collection was published by the Center for Jewish Cultural Heritage - Synagogue Maribor in cooperation with the Dr. Šiftar Foundation Establishment, in the frameworks of the Kamnite solze/Stone tears project. The Roma and Sinti peoples are still waiting for the full recognition of their sufferings during the Nazi regime. Between the years 1939 and 1945 the Nazis are thought to have killed more than half a million Roma and Sinti, while other estimates put the figure at one million and a half. As in the case of the Holocaust the genocide of the Roma was also an overlooked topic in Slovenian historiography. But the fact is that our region was not spared by the events of that time.

Among the first articles in the above-mentioned collection is The Story of Gizela Horvat, written by her nephew Sandi. Her family was on the list for deportation to a concentration camp where her relatives were previously taken. However her family saved itself by moving from Hungary to Goričko in the Prekmurje region. As a teenager Gizela witnessed the horrors of WWII from Slovenia as well.

In order for the horrific events not to fall into oblivion, but to serve as an everlasting reminded, some Roma celebrate the 2nd of August as the International Day of Remebrance of the Roma Genocide. The 2nd of August 1944 is the day when the Nazis closed down the Roma concentration camp in Auschwitz. The Roma population has proposed that the day be marked in Slovenia as well.

L. K. (RA SLO); translated by K. J.