I first met Ceija Stojka in spring 2003 when I was the Fulbright Distinguished Chair of Gender Studies at the University of Klagenfurt in southern Austria, teaching and researching for my book on Romani literature in the German-speaking world. An Austrian colleague suggested that I meet Stojka personally in Vienna and shared her telephone number, emphasizing how open she was and how willing she was to talk about her experiences. I called her up, and she immediately invited me to her apartment in Kaiserstraße for a meal and conversation. I honestly can say that this visit changed my life. Her openness about sharing her works and life led to an exhibit that I cocurated with Michaela Grobbel of almost one hundred of her artworks in 2009 at Pacific University in Oregon, Sonoma State University in California, and West Branch Gallery in Stowe, Vermont, as well as to several articles about her writings and artworks. I visited her numerous times in Vienna, often bringing friends or my son, Leif Draznin-French, along. She always treated us to delicious food and graciously shared her art, music, and stories. Our friendship continued until her death in 2013. Her warmth, optimism, and generosity opened the door to a whole new world for me, as I went on to meet and hear about several of her marvelous family members, including her son and daughter-in-law, Hojda and Nuna Stojka; her granddaughter, Simona Anozie; and her grandson, Pablo Stojka. Her works and deeds continue to inspire me.

Truthfully, I never thought I would translate her works into English. I was always fascinated by listening to her German and by speaking German with her. As a native speaker of English, I could understand her wonderful stories and humor expressed in clear, standard German, as opposed to Viennese dialect, which she used with Viennese friends and family. Having roots in Austria, and particularly Vienna, her language did have intriguing idiosyncrasies, which have made translating her memoirs both a challenge and a joy. Over the years, I have used her autobiographical writings in all levels of the German-language classes that I teach, from first year through fourth year. Students have found her works engaging and accessible. I remain convinced that everyone who can should read her words as they were originally published in German.