JUDr. Gustav Karika (1930 – 2016) was born in Myjava, in the Roma settlement. He was one of the first lawyers of Romani origin in the former Czechoslovakia. In the narrative that was recorded on 12 May 2014 at his home in New Dubnica, he is gradually addressing both biographical and factual themes – from his family, through education, to career and to historical events that shaped our geopolitical space from World War II to the present. In the narrative, he mentions several concepts, names and events that are not part of general education anymore, so we also explain them.
The Association of Gypsies-Roma (1969 – 1973) It was created as a social organization during the so-called reconstruction process in Czechoslovakia in order to achieve equal and peaceful coexistence and mitigation of state-controlled assimilation. Following the onset of normalization in 1973, it was abolished.
Butiker / Nevodrom – economic facilities of the The Association of Gypsies-Roma. They supported employment opportunities for Roma, commissioned by Roma craftsmen, established workshops.
Andrej Andreyevich Vlasov (September 14, 1901 – August 2, 1946) Soviet general of Russian descent. After the Battle of Leningrad he got into German captivity, cooperated with the Nazis, founded the Russian Liberation Army.
Vlasovci – followers of General Vlasov, a military unit formed of Soviet prisoners of war as well as volunteers, emigrants and opponents of Communism (Stalinism).
Rudolf Slánský – (July 31, 1901, Nezvěstice – December 3, 1952, Prague) General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party in 1945 – 1951). In 1951, he was accused of organizing an anti-state conspiracy, sentenced and subsequently executed in well-known political processes. The court rehabilitated him in 1963 and the Communist Party in 1968.
copyright: State Scientific Library in Prešov
