Serbian literature

Serbian literature (Serbian Cyrillic: Српска књижевност, Srpska književnost) refers to literature written in Serbian and/or in Serbia and all other lands where Serbs reside.

The history of Serbian literature begins with the independent works from the Nemanjić dynasty era. After Serbia and nearby countries were taken over in the 15th century, there was a pause in writing from that area. But Serbian literature kept going in places where Serbs lived under the rule of other European countries. It grew strong again with fancy, detailed books called Baroque works in the 1700s in what we now call Vojvodina.

Serbia became free from rule by others after the Serbian Revolution from 1804 to 1815. Since then, Serbian writing has done very well. Some writers from Serbia have become famous all over the world.

Medieval and post-medieval literature

Main article: Medieval Serbian literature

See also: Serbian epic poetry and Serbian printing

Serbian medieval literature began with religious writings and was heavily influenced by church traditions. Early works were mostly about Christian values, and included stories about saints, sermons, and hymns. These writings helped shape the language and style of later Serbian literature. Important writers from this time include Saint Sava, Jefimija, Stefan Lazarević, and Constantine of Kostenets.

After the medieval period, folk songs and epic poems became very popular. These stories, often passed down by word of mouth, told about important events like the Battle of Kosovo. They became a big part of Serbian culture and identity. Famous folk heroes like Marko Kraljević were celebrated in these poems. During the time when Serbia was under Ottoman rule, printing houses continued to produce books, keeping Serbian literature alive. Notable works include The Mourning Song of the Noble Wife of the Asan Aga (Hasanaginica) and The Nine Peahens and the Golden Apples.

Baroque, Enlightenment and Classicism

See also: Baroque and Classicism

Serbian literature in Vojvodina kept building on older traditions, influenced by Old Serbian and Russian styles. This helped bring back important writing styles after a long break caused by invasions.

Many writers helped shape this time, like Gavril Stefanović Venclović, who wrote in many different types of books and helped change the language. Other important writers included Dimitrije Ljubavić, Đorđe Branković, and many more.

During a time of new ideas, called the Age of Enlightenment, new ways of thinking grew. Writers like Dositej Obradović became famous for their work. One of the biggest books from this time was Život i priključenija by Dositej Obradović.

Classicism started with poems by Aleksije Vezilić, who also shared important ideas of the time. Jovan Sterija Popović was a famous playwright, and Lukijan Mušicki helped start the first big movement of Serbian poetry.

Romanticism and Realism

See also: Romanticism and List of romantics § Serbian Romanticism

Left:Petar II Petrović-Njegoš is the national poet and a noted author of the Romanticsm
Right: Petar Kočić was a Realist writer and activist

Before the Revolutions of 1848, ideas of Romanticism began to grow, especially in Vojvodina. After Serbia won independence from the Ottoman Empire, new modern Serbian literature started. Petar II Petrović Njegoš and his famous poem Mountain Wreath from 1847 became very important. He used the rhythms of old Serbian poems, similar to the works of Homer.

Vuk Stefanović Karadžić collected and published folk songs and stories for the first time. He helped change the Serbian language and alphabet. Other writers like Sima Milutinović Sarajlija and Matija Nenadović also wrote during this time.

Branko Radičević started Romantic poetry by focusing on personal feelings instead of old rules. His poems Đački rastanak ('Student parting') and Tuga i opomena ('Sadness and admonition') are very famous. Other important Romantic writers include Jovan Grčić Milenko, Kosta Trifković, King Nicholas I of Montenegro, and Jovan Ilić.

Romantic writers used the new Serbian language and created many famous works, like Đulići uveoci and children’s poems by Jovan Jovanović Zmaj, Santa Maria della Salute by Laza Kostić, and poems by Đura Jakšić. Ljubomir Nenadović also wrote travel books, a new type of writing at the time.

Realist writers looked at society, showing differences between city and country life. Jakov Ignjatović and Stefan Mitrov Ljubiša were early realists.

Svetozar Ćorović wrote about his home in Herzegovina. Simo Matavulj and Ivo Ćipiko described the south Adriatic sea. Petar Kočić wrote about the desire for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be free and join with Serbia.

The only well-known poet of this time was Vojislav Ilić. Branislav Nušić was popular for his comedies and dramas. During this period, new types of stories appeared, including science fiction by Lazar Komarčić.

Modern literature

The early to mid-1900s in Serbian literature is known as Moderna. It was inspired by major European movements, especially symbolism and the psychological novel. Poets like Jovan Dučić, Milan Rakić, and Aleksa Šantić were very popular for their emotional and patriotic poems.

Many other poets wrote during this time, each with their own style. Most felt pessimistic but also proud of their country during difficult times, like the Balkan Wars and World War I. Critics from the West supported these writers.

Serbian literature grew a lot in the 20th century, with many new and talented authors. Famous names include Ivo Andrić, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961, and Desanka Maksimović, loved for her poetry.

After World War II, new styles appeared, including experimental writing and stories based on old manuscripts. Authors like Milorad Pavić became very well known around the world, especially for his book Dictionary of the Khazars.

Contemporary

Dušan Kovačević and Biljana Srbljanović are well-known modern playwriters.

Ljubomir Simović was a leading poet in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Famous female writers in Serbia today include Svetlana Velmar-Janković, Grozdana Olujić, and Gordana Kuić.

Other important authors are Zoran Živković, who has won awards and seen his books translated into many languages, and Vladimir Arsenijević, Vladislav Bajac, Igor Marojević, and Svetislav Basara.

Authors such as Jelena Lengold, Uglješa Šajtinac, Darko Tuševljaković, Tanja Stupar-Trifunović, and Lana Bastašić have received the European Union Prize for Literature.

Selected works

Here are some important books from Serbian literature that have been translated into English:

• Pekić, Borislav, The Time of Miracles, translated by Lovett F. Edwards, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1976
• Andrić, Ivo, The Bridge on the Drina, The University of Chicago Press, 1977
• Pekić, Borislav, The Houses of Belgrade, translated by Bernard Johnson, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1978
• Kiš, Danilo, A Tomb for Boris Davidovich, translated by Duska Mikic-Mitchell, Penguin Books, 1980
• Kiš, Danilo, The Encyclopedia of the Dead, translated by Michael Henry Heim, 1983
• Andrić, Ivo, Damned Yard and Other Stories, edited and translated by Celia Hawkesworth, Dufour Editions, 1992
• Selimović, Meša, Death and the Dervish, translated by Bogdan Rakic and Stephen M. Dickey, Northwestern University Press, 1996
• Pekić, Borislav, How to Quiet a Vampire: A Sotie (Writings from an Unbound Europe), translated by Stephen M. Dickey and Bogdan Rakic, Northwestern University Press, 2005
• Andrić, Ivo, The Days of the Consuls, translated by Celia Hawkesworth, Dereta, 2008
• Bajac, Vladislav. Hamam Balkania, translated by Randall A. Major, Geopoetica Publishing, 2009
• Andrić, Ivo, The Slave Girl and Other Stories, edited and translated by Radmila Gorup, Central European University Press, 2009