Andrej Nikolaidis
Encyclopedia
Andrej Nikolaidis is a Montenegrin
-Bosnian
writer
, columnist
, and current adviser to Ranko Krivokapić
, speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament
.
, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia to a mixed Montenegrin-Greek family. In 1992, following the breakout of ethnic strife in Bosnia that soon evolved into an all out war, Nikolaidis' family moved to the Montenegrin town of Ulcinj
, his father's hometown where he owns a summer home. An ardent supporter of Montenegrin independence, anti-war activist and promoter of human rights, especially a minority rights, Nikolaidis initially became known for his political views and public feuds, appearing on local television and in newspapers with his razor-sharp political commentaries. His writings for Monitor and Slobodna Bosna
aroused controversy and he "received threats, including death threats, after publishing several articles about “facing the past.” During a talk show on Radio Antena M, one of the listeners, while he was on air, said that he would kill Nikolaidis."
Nikolaidis published two novels: 'Mimesis (Durieux, OKF, 2003) and Son (Durieux, 2006), as well as a collection of short stories "The Cathedral in Seattle" (published by Plima, Montenegro, 1999).
His first critically acclaimed novel "Mimesis" was very well received in Croatia, Bosnia and among liberal Montenegrin intellectuals, where local independent media compares his expression and attitude to the one of Thomas Bernhard
. He wrote columns for pro-independence Montenegrin publications such as Vijesti
daily newspaper, Monitor
weekly newsmagazine (from 2002 until 2009), and Crnogorski književni list weekly newspaper, as well as Bosnian weekly newsmagazine Slobodna Bosna
. He now resides in Ulcinj
, Montenegro
.
On October 15, 2009, it was announced that Nikolaidis accepted a job as the adviser to politician Ranko Krivokapić who has been the speaker of the house in Montenegrin Parliament since 2003 and is the president of SDP CG party - ruling coalition's junior partner. The announcement came couple of weeks after Krivokapić publicly supported Nikolaidis while criticizing the Montenegrin Supreme Court's final ruling in Kusturica vs. Nikolaidis case.
, denouncing him, among other things, as one of the "biggest media stars of the time when Milošević
's war propaganda propped people who had something stupid but patriotic to say and created news for people who were insensitive to human suffering, blind to their own guilt, and finally stupid enough to believe in their own righteousness".
Nikolaidis was subsequently sued by Kusturica for libel. After the trial in November 2004, primary court (Osnovni sud) in Podgorica under presiding judge Evica Durutović awarded Kusturica €
5,000 in damages. However, on appeal, the verdict against Nikolaidis had been overruled by the higher court (Viši sud) in December 2005 and the case was returned to the lower court for a re-trial.
In late November 2007 the primary court (Osnovni sud) confirmed the previous verdict following a re-trial. Nikoladis again appealed the primary court verdict and the case was heard for the second time by the higher court (Viši sud) in April 2008 and this time it upheld the primary court verdict, ordering Nikolaids to pay the damages. In reaction to the verdict, Nikolaidis received individual support from Bosnia and Herzegovina where actor Emir Hadžihafizbegović
and journalist Šemsudin "Šeki" Radončić raised funds to pay the Nikolaidis' fine.
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
-Bosnian
Bosnians
Bosnians are people who reside in, or come from, Bosnia and Herzegovina. By the modern state definition a Bosnian can be anyone who holds citizenship of the state. This includes, but is not limited to, members of the constituent ethnic groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosniaks, Bosnian Serbs and...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
, and current adviser to Ranko Krivokapić
Ranko Krivokapic
Ranko Krivokapić is the Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro and the President of the Social Democratic Party of Montenegro .-Biography:...
, speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament
Parliament of Montenegro
The Parliament of Montenegro is the unicameral legislature of Montenegro. The Parliament currently has 81 members, each elected for a four-year term. The current Speaker of the Parliament is Ranko Krivokapić, while the deputy speakers are Željko Šturanović and Rifat Rastoder...
.
Biography
Nikolaidis was born and raised in SarajevoSarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia to a mixed Montenegrin-Greek family. In 1992, following the breakout of ethnic strife in Bosnia that soon evolved into an all out war, Nikolaidis' family moved to the Montenegrin town of Ulcinj
Ulcinj
Ulcinj is a coastal resort town and municipality in Montenegro. The town of Ulcinj has a population of 10,828 of which the majority are Albanians...
, his father's hometown where he owns a summer home. An ardent supporter of Montenegrin independence, anti-war activist and promoter of human rights, especially a minority rights, Nikolaidis initially became known for his political views and public feuds, appearing on local television and in newspapers with his razor-sharp political commentaries. His writings for Monitor and Slobodna Bosna
Slobodna Bosna
Slobodna Bosna is an investigative weekly newspaper based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is one of the few newspapers that sells in both Bosnian entities . Its frequent investigations of corruption have led politicians to sue the editor-in-chief Senad Avdić...
aroused controversy and he "received threats, including death threats, after publishing several articles about “facing the past.” During a talk show on Radio Antena M, one of the listeners, while he was on air, said that he would kill Nikolaidis."
Nikolaidis published two novels: 'Mimesis (Durieux, OKF, 2003) and Son (Durieux, 2006), as well as a collection of short stories "The Cathedral in Seattle" (published by Plima, Montenegro, 1999).
His first critically acclaimed novel "Mimesis" was very well received in Croatia, Bosnia and among liberal Montenegrin intellectuals, where local independent media compares his expression and attitude to the one of Thomas Bernhard
Thomas Bernhard
Thomas Bernhard was an Austrian novelist, playwright and poet. Bernhard, whose body of work has been called "the most significant literary achievement since World War II," is widely considered to be one of the most important German-speaking authors of the postwar era.- Life :Thomas Bernhard was...
. He wrote columns for pro-independence Montenegrin publications such as Vijesti
Vijesti
Vijesti is a Montenegrin daily newspaper.The paper is published and managed by an entity called Daily Press d.o.o. - a limited liability company based in Podgorica...
daily newspaper, Monitor
The Monitor (Montenegro)
Monitor is a weekly newsmagazine published in Podgorica, Montenegro.Started on October 19, 1990 by university professor Miodrag Perović and businessman Stanislav "Ćano" Koprivica, the magazine appeared at a time when the single-party political system in SFR Yugoslavia had been abolished and its...
weekly newsmagazine (from 2002 until 2009), and Crnogorski književni list weekly newspaper, as well as Bosnian weekly newsmagazine Slobodna Bosna
Slobodna Bosna
Slobodna Bosna is an investigative weekly newspaper based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is one of the few newspapers that sells in both Bosnian entities . Its frequent investigations of corruption have led politicians to sue the editor-in-chief Senad Avdić...
. He now resides in Ulcinj
Ulcinj
Ulcinj is a coastal resort town and municipality in Montenegro. The town of Ulcinj has a population of 10,828 of which the majority are Albanians...
, Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
.
On October 15, 2009, it was announced that Nikolaidis accepted a job as the adviser to politician Ranko Krivokapić who has been the speaker of the house in Montenegrin Parliament since 2003 and is the president of SDP CG party - ruling coalition's junior partner. The announcement came couple of weeks after Krivokapić publicly supported Nikolaidis while criticizing the Montenegrin Supreme Court's final ruling in Kusturica vs. Nikolaidis case.
Emir Kusturica
On May 28, 2004, Nikolaidis' highly charged piece titled "Dželatov šegrt" (Executioner's Apprentice) was published as part of his regular column in Monitor weekly magazine. In it, he targeted film director Emir KusturicaEmir Kusturica
Emir Nemanja Kusturica , is a Serbian filmmaker, actor and musician, recognized for several internationally acclaimed feature films...
, denouncing him, among other things, as one of the "biggest media stars of the time when Milošević
Slobodan Milošević
Slobodan Milošević was President of Serbia and Yugoslavia. He served as the President of Socialist Republic of Serbia and Republic of Serbia from 1989 until 1997 in three terms and as President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1997 to 2000...
's war propaganda propped people who had something stupid but patriotic to say and created news for people who were insensitive to human suffering, blind to their own guilt, and finally stupid enough to believe in their own righteousness".
Nikolaidis was subsequently sued by Kusturica for libel. After the trial in November 2004, primary court (Osnovni sud) in Podgorica under presiding judge Evica Durutović awarded Kusturica €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
5,000 in damages. However, on appeal, the verdict against Nikolaidis had been overruled by the higher court (Viši sud) in December 2005 and the case was returned to the lower court for a re-trial.
In late November 2007 the primary court (Osnovni sud) confirmed the previous verdict following a re-trial. Nikoladis again appealed the primary court verdict and the case was heard for the second time by the higher court (Viši sud) in April 2008 and this time it upheld the primary court verdict, ordering Nikolaids to pay the damages. In reaction to the verdict, Nikolaidis received individual support from Bosnia and Herzegovina where actor Emir Hadžihafizbegović
Emir Hadžihafizbegovic
Emir Hadžihafizbegović is a famous Bosnian actor.-Biography:Hadžihafizbegović got his diploma in acting at the Academy of Arts in Sarajevo in 1986. He received the Golden Arena for best actor at the Pula Film Festival and award for Best actor at the Durban International Film Festival...
and journalist Šemsudin "Šeki" Radončić raised funds to pay the Nikolaidis' fine.