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- 3 August 2022
- Reading suggestion
- gsclibrary
Recommendation by the Permanent Representation of Slovenia to the EU
Book selected: Zakaj molčiš, Hava? by Selma Skenderović
For many, migrants live invisible lives. Existing and expected to quickly and quietly assimilate without any fuss.
The lived experience of migrants is a subject not often talked about. Thankfully, Selma Skenderović is not one to shy away from it. She addresses a multitude of issues in her collection of 15 short stories on intercultural coexistence, Zakaj molčiš, Hava?
This a powerful book about tolerance and adaptation, centred around a young girl named Hava. As a migrant, Hava feels powerless. She has lived her whole life holding her tongue – living with stigma and stereotypes; living in fear of the sexism, racism and prejudice she could encounter if she insisted on being heard.
But what would she say if everyone else stopped keeping quiet?
Skenderović explores the divide between Slovenes and non-Slovenes. She pushes to raise awareness of the problems faced by foreigners in Slovenia on a daily basis.
These are stories about being a foreigner, about belonging to a minority culture and religion. Skenderović raises the question of adaptation: migrants in her stories have to adapt their lives every day as they encounter problems with work, school and language. Hava even considers changing her name to fit in – and yet the locals she lives among do not have to adapt at all.
Skenderović dedicates the book to non-Slavic children who do not have role models, and to those who need to become role models. As Hava grows older, she matures. She sees diversity around her, but is more and more aware of the constraints imposed upon her – and of what she must do to be heard.
A profoundly human work, deeply in tune with the experience of migrants. A work that is never predictable, whose sharp and tender truths hit home.
Selma Skenderović (2001) is a student of Slovene Language and Comparative Literature at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana. Her 2020 award at the national competition of the festival of Young Literature Urška enabled her to publish her first book with the Republic of Slovenia Public Fund for Cultural Activities, the collection of short stories Zakaj molčiš, Hava? (Why Are You Silent, Hava?, 2021) under the mentorship of the editor and writer Suzana Tratnik.
The year 2022 has been designated the European Year of Youth. The Council Library has therefore chosen to devote the third edition of its annual Readers of Europe initiative to young people, putting the focus squarely on new and emerging European literary talent.
The permanent representations to the EU have once again been invited to recommend books from their countries to read over the summer. The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Discover something new’, the idea being that every permanent representation selects a book by an author who has published their first work within the last five years. We will promote these selections over the summer on the Council Library blog.
Europe is awash with exciting young authors. Dive into this selection and discover stories that hum with fresh ideas and luminous prose. Novels that ask piercing questions about humanity. Stories that are edgy and beautiful, gripping and unsettling. Stories worthy of a place in any library.
So find a comfy place to sit back and relax as we showcase some of Europe’s promising literary talent.
This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council.
The Council Library reading room is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12.00 to 15.00. The Info Desk remains open online from Monday to Friday.
