Meet Julieta Rotaru, a passionate scholar in Romani studies and Secretary of the Gypsy Lore Society, who is currently spending 11 months in Slovakia as a research grantee of the SAIA programme. Hosted by the Institute of Ethnology and Social Anthropology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Julieta is exploring the deep historical and cultural roots of Roma communities across the country. From tracing the legacy of early ethnographers like Samuel Augustini ab Hortis in Prešov to visiting the Museum of Roma Culture in Martin and the Roma blacksmith workshop in Bardejov, Julieta’s journey through Slovakia offers a unique blend of academic discovery and cultural immersion – all while strengthening international collaboration in one of the world’s leading centres for Romani research.

Institute of Ethnology and Social Anthropology, SAS, and the headquarter of the oldest academic society in Romani studies
The Gypsy Lore Society (GLS), founded in Edinburgh in 1888, was established by scholars studying Roma/Gypsies to publish research in the Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society. The Liverpool University Library houses its archive as a special collection. The Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society (JGLS) began in the same year, 1888, and restarted several times (new series 1902, third 1922, fourth 1974, fifth 1991). In 2000 the name was changed to Romani Studies. “The journal publishes articles in history, anthropology, ethnography, sociology, linguistics, art, literature, folklore and music, featuring any aspect of the cultures of groups traditionally known as Roma/Gypsies as well as those of travelers or analogous itinerant or nomadic groups.” Romani Studies is the leading journal in the field, being abstracted or indexed in major scholarly databases, being published by Liverpool University Press. Since 2023 the journal is published in Open Acces, through the contribution of the members of the Society, which assures its total independence and the communication and promotion of research based exclusively on scientific merit.

Since 2024, GLS is headquartered in Bratislava. Dr Tatiana Zachar Podolinská, director of the Institute of Ethnology and Social Anthropology, SAS, has been GLS President since 2020, succeeding Elena Marushiakova (2010-2020), another Slovak-Bulgarian scholar from the same institute.

Today Romani studies in Slovakia became a world leading centre of Roma research attracting more and more international scholars.

My ongoing academic expedition through Slovakia offers me remarkable insights into the region's rich history and cultural tapestry, taking me from ancient fortresses to specialized museums, each revealing fascinating connections to Roma history and scholarship.

Prešov and the Legacy of Samuel Augustini ab Hortis
Me and professor Elena Marushiakova in front of the Evanjelické kolégium. Hlavná ulica. Prešov. With the bas-relief “Caraffa's slaughter” and the memorial plaque for Pavol Országh HviezdoslavMy visit to Prešov was particularly significant as I explored the footsteps of Samuel Augustini ab Hortis, one of the pioneering scholars in Roma studies. Born in 1729 in Veľká Lomnica, ab Hortis received his education at the renowned Reformed College in Prešov, an institution that shaped many influential thinkers, including that of the national Slovak poet and dramaturg Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav.

Walking through Prešov's historic streets, I could imagine the young ab Hortis developing the intellectual curiosity that would later lead him to write his groundbreaking ethnographic notes on Roma communities. The Reformed College, which dates back to 1667, stands as a testament to the academic traditions that nurtured his scholarly approach. It was here that ab Hortis built the foundation for his later work as a mineralogist, which curiously led to his ethnographic observations about Roma communities.

What makes ab Hortis's contribution so remarkable is his forward-thinking approach. In 1775-1776, at a time when Habsburg reforms aimed at forced assimilation of Roma communities, he advocated for understanding "the customs and way of life" of Roma people. His writings in the Pressburger Zeitung under the signature "a.H" represent some of the earliest examples of ethnographic work focused on Roma communities in the region.

Veľká Ida and the Poetic Legacy of Ferenc Nagyidai Sztojka
Another fascinating aspect of my research journey took me to Veľká Ida (Nagyida in Hungarian), a location immortalized in the works of Ferenc Nagyidai Sztojka. Born in 1855, Sztojka was a remarkable Roma poet, translator, and dictionary compiler whose literary identity was deeply connected to this Slovak locality.

Veľká Ida features prominently in Sztojka's poetry, reflecting his connection to the place and its significance in Roma cultural memory. In his poem Ferenc Nagyidai Sztojka put Veľká Ida in center of Roma historical narrative which bears huge significance for understanding of early Roma emancipation movement. According to Professor Elena Marushiakova, his literary pseudonym "Nagyidai" directly references this location, indicating its importance to his identity.

Sztojka's Hungarian-Romani dictionary (1886) represents a landmark in linguistic documentation. Though his collaboration with Archduke Joseph marked the most productive period of his career, his connection to Veľká Ida remains a fascinating aspect of Slovak-Roma cultural heritage.

The Museum of Roma Culture in Martin
With Professor Elena Marushiakova and Dr Adriana Daneková at the Museum of Roma Culture, Slovak National Museum in Martin - Ethnographic MuseumOne of the highlights of my journey was visiting the Museum of Roma Culture at the Slovak National Museum in Martin, accompanied by Elena Marushiakova and Adriana Daneková, the museum's curator. This institution holds special significance in the field of Romani studies, as it continues the legacy of ethnographic documentation initiated by pioneers like ab Hortis.

The museum houses an impressive permanent exhibition of Roma culture, including an iconic cart from a Vlax Roma community that offers tangible evidence of traditional Roma mobility and lifestyle. Adriana's expertise as curator of both this exhibition and the "Hin Amen" exhibition at the National Museum of Ethnography provided valuable context for understanding the artifacts.

Particularly moving was the collection devoted to Ilona Lacková, the renowned Roma writer whose works have been translated into multiple languages. Seeing her manuscripts and medals highlighted the literary contributions of Roma intellectuals to Slovak and European culture. The museum effectively bridges the gap between academic research and public education about Roma heritage.

Spišsky Castle: Witness to Early Roma Presence in Europe
Spišský hrad (12th c.), Slovak National Museum, Prešov Region My exploration of Spišsky Castle in eastern Slovakia connected me to one of the earliest documented appearances of Roma people in Western Europe. This imposing fortress, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, features in the historical record from 1423 when a Roma leader named Ladislas received a letter of safe conduct from King Sigismund of Hungary.

Standing within the castle walls, I contemplated this pivotal moment in Roma history. The document granted by King Sigismund allowed Roma groups free passage throughout the Western Roman Empire and essentially throughout Europe. This historical connection underscores Slovakia's importance in early Roma migration routes and the documentation of Roma presence in European history.

The subsequent journey of these Roma groups to France during the reign of King Charles VII (1422-1461) led to the French naming these nomadic people "bohémiens," referencing their supposed origin in Bohemia – another fascinating historical connection I explored during my research.

Bardejov Open-Air Museum and the Roma Blacksmith Tradition
Bardejov Skanzen, Blacksmith’s workshop (19th c.), embedded horseshoe in the outer wall, for luck and prosperity (photo Julieta Rotaru)My visit to the Bardejov village museum offered yet another dimension to understanding Roma cultural heritage in Slovakia. This open-air museum, located near the historic spa town that has been welcoming visitors since the 18th century, features a preserved Roma blacksmith's house that provides valuable insights into traditional Roma craftsmanship.

The blacksmith workshop, dating from the 19th century, contains original tools and equipment that illustrate the technological expertise and craftsmanship of Roma metalworkers. The prominence of blacksmithing in Roma cultural history creates an interesting parallel with Andrej Kmeť, the founder of Slovak museology who came from a blacksmith family.

The detailed recreation of the workshop, complete with traditional tools and a forge, demonstrates how Roma blacksmiths contributed to the economic and material culture of Slovak communities. The horseshoe embedded in the wooden outer wall of the workshop stands as a symbol of Roma craftsmanship and the cultural exchange that characterized rural Slovak life.

Reflections on a Scholarly Journey
This research expedition through Slovakia has reinforced my understanding of the country's significance in Romani studies. From the pioneering work of Samuel Augustini ab Hortis to the current leadership of the Gypsy Lore Society being headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia continues to be at the forefront of Roma research and cultural preservation.

The connections between mineralogy, ethnography, and Roma studies that emerged repeatedly throughout my journey highlight the interdisciplinary nature of early scholarly engagement with Roma communities. Moreover, the preservation efforts evident in museums and cultural institutions demonstrate Slovakia's commitment to recognizing the contributions of Roma people to its cultural heritage.

As I continue my research, these experiences in Slovakia provide not just historical context but also inspiration for future scholarly exploration into the rich and complex history of Roma communities in Europe.