Marcel Baranja

“We ate whatever was on the table.”

Ljutomer, Slovenia, 2025

In this interview for the Roma Soul Food project, Marcel Baranja reflects on growing up in a Roma settlement, where traditional dishes such as gomboci, paradajz humer, nokelen and kotlovski pogavča were part of everyday family life. He describes Roma food as filling, practical and often based on flour, oil, carbohydrates and meat, while also recalling holidays as moments of abundance, family gatherings and shared celebration. As an adult, Marcel became more aware of the connection between food and health after moving out, gradually rethinking inherited eating patterns and looking for healthier alternatives. The interview also highlights the importance of passing on Roma food traditions through community work with children, young people, Roma women and young mothers, while opening space to reflect on food, emotion, health and heritage.

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Original language: Slovene/Romani