Serbia, a country with a long complicated history, has a literary tradition filled drama, humor, and tragedy. Great Serbian authors have captured the complexities of the Serbian experience using beautiful prose. For all those who would like to get a better understanding of Serbian culture and history we have prepared a top 5 list of Serbian classics. These classics depict the varied facets of Serbian life from migrations to peasant life. They will make you laugh, cry, and leave you with a deeper appreciation for one of Europe’s lesser known corners.
5. Migrations (Seobe)
Migrations I by Miloš Crnjanski tells the story of a Serbian officer, Vuk Isaković, his wife, and his brother Aranđela. Vuk heads to war during a military campaign in 1744. During this time period Milos is able to show the true scale of suffering of the Serbs in Vojvodina.
The novel written in beautiful Serbian prose won numerous awards upon its publication.
4. Zona Zamfirova
Zona Zamfirova by Stevan Sremac tells the story of the title character, a rich man’s daughter, and her affair with a regular goldsmith. With the possibility of marrying a man from a wealthier family the goldsmith does all he can to sabotage this.
Sremac does an excellent job showing life in 19th century Niš as well as the interplay of the social classes of that period.
3. Koštana
Koštana is a drama by legendary Serbian author Borisav Stanković. The play depicts themes of 19th century Serbian folklore and customs. The play is among the most popular in Serbia.
The small Serbian town of Vranje is the setting of the play. The heroine is a roma singer who is destined for a loveless marriage. She is to marry and older man Mitke who loves her singing and beauty but not her nature.
2. The Mountain Wreath (Gorski vijenac)
Peter II Petrovic Njegos wrote the poem and play Gorski Vijenac. The work is written as local folk songs which gives it a musical quality. The drama describes the struggle of Montenegrin tribes against local muslims, at the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century. The verses are full of wisdom and very popular in Serbia and Montenegro. Gorski Vijenac was published in Vienna in 1847 in the vernacular Serbian language.
1. Impure Blood (Nečista Krv)
Borisav Stankovic published Impure Blood in 1910. Since then it has become one of the most important works of Serbian literature. The novel describes the life and downfall of prominent families in Vranje from the end of the 19th century. Sofka is the heroine of the book. She is a beauty from an impoverished but respectable family. Her father marries her off to the twelve-year-old son of a rich local in the hopes of improving her financial situation.