Anka Salmič

Ana Salmič, also known as Anka Salmič, (29 May 1902 – 2 September 1969) was a Slovenian farmer, folk healer and poet. Born into a poor rural family, she received limited formal education and supported herself through agricultural labour, while developing a body of folk-inspired poetry that was published in newspapers, magazines, and self-published collections. Her mother was the small farmer and field labourer Franca Hočevar, and her father was the small farmer and field labourer Jožef Salmič. She had eight siblings. Although she wished to continue her schooling, her parents could not afford it due to poverty. She often also composed melodies for the poems she wrote. In 1940 she self-published a collection of her poems Cvetje z neobdelanih gredic (Flowers from Untended Beds). In the camp, despite harsh circumstances, she continued writing poetry and comforted her compatriots.

Post-war period

In September 1945 she returned to her homeland with her son and the surviving fellow villagers. Iz črnih dni pregnanstva (From the Dark Days of Exile) (poetry, Krško, 1967) Moja pesem (My Song) (poetry, Krško, 1995)