Ich, ein Sinto aus Remscheid

Alfred Rosenbach comes from Silesia. He was a peddler, a dealer in carpets, scrap, and haberdashery, and lived with his family in a caravan before settling in Remscheid. As a respected elder, he was elected to the honorary position of "Prasapaskurom," a "judge," just like his father, who took care of the affairs of the large family consisting of more than 200 Sinti. In this text-image volume, Rosenbach tells his story and sheds light on the hidden life of a Sinti family in the heart of Germany. In the oral culture of the Sinti, images and photographs hold great significance. They narrate the joys and sorrows of a family that was displaced from Silesia and lost many members in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Old, yellowed family photos preserve memories of life before the Nazi era, the expulsion, and the post-war years, while the contemporary photos by photographer Uli Preuss radiate lightness, self-confidence, togetherness, and joy. This picture book opens a door to the almost unknown world of the Sinti and fosters understanding of their way of life.