In anticipation of the Review of Small Literatures: Romani Literature, we present a brief interview with poet Tamás Jónás from Hungary.
Could you describe yourself in 3 words?
Old, cold, bold.
Without summarizing it, what would you say your work in the Anthology is about?
My work is dispatches from the margins.
How would you describe Roma literature?
Roma literature is, strictly speaking, what is written in the Romani language, because literature is a matter of language. Texts interwoven with Romani cultural elements belong more to the field of sociology than to literature itself.
Who is your favourite Romani author?
My favourite Romani author is Bari Károly. Interestingly, he himself denies the very legitimacy of Romani literature, and does not consider himself a ‘Romani poet.’
Why do you write?
Because I can. And in Hungarian this means not only ability, but also permission, knowledge, and chance.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you’ve ever been given?
Be persistent. Don’t try too hard to be successful. (I won’t reveal which was the best and which the worst.)
What are you currently working on?
I am working on a novel titled 1987.
What have you been reading lately?
J. M. Coetzee’s Life & Times of Michael K.
