Tu blizu živi deklica

The renowned author Ida Mlakar Črnič (1956) and celebrated illustrator Peter Škerl (1973) subtly tell the story of disappearing in twelve parts. From January to December, we see twelve stations where the title girl leaves her nonbelongings: beauty, riches, home, friendship, name, voice, visibility, body, history, memory, and finally existence. At the last station of this route of denial, the author directly confronts the reader: someone disappeared “who is like you and me”. This hauntingly powerful combination of text and illustrations tells the story without sentimentality. Also, without hope? No. The critical tone affirms hope which also radiates through the colorful splashes of striking watercolor illustrations until it is finally worded as a graffiti on the wall: we’re here, we’re yours.