Family Witnesses to Leopoldina’ Story

In the garden of the family home in Kamnica near Maribor in 1960: Leopoldina’s daughter, Poldika Damjan, sits second from the left, holding me — a six‑month‑old baby — in her arms. Her written and oral memories are the foundation and framework of the story of the Styrian grandmother. To her right sits seven‑year‑old Darko, Leopoldina’s grandson, who carefully preserved the family house, memories, and traditions. To her left sits the eldest grandson, Maksimiljan; behind her stands Leopoldina’s son‑in‑law and my father, Maks Damjan. Next to him stands Leopoldina’s niece, Vikica Podgorelec, who visited her aunt as a child and, in old age, retained a clear memory of her. Also in the picture is Leopoldina’s eldest sister, Maria Köberl (married Žunko/Schunko), seated on the right with her husband standing behind her — she probably knew her youngest sister best, but sadly never spoke about her to us as children.