CULTURAL MNEMONICSOF THE ROMANIAN ROMA’S DEPORTATION TO TRANSNISTRIA (e-paper)

In 1942, approximately 25,000 citizens of Roma ethnic origin were deported to Transnistria. This article aims to seize the social representation of this event, mainly among the Roma population, but also at the majority population level, offering an interpretation from a phenomenological perspective. I attempt to bring to the reader’s attention the importance surrounding the “myth of cardboard boats”. I offer a thorough interpretation on this myth or metaphor, which helps one better understand the event of the Roma deportation to Transnistria from the perspective of Romani culture. I also propose a hypothesis in connection to the origin of this myth.