Izet Sarajlic
Encyclopedia
Izet Sarajlić was a Bosnian
historian of philosophy, essayist, translator and poet. Sarajlić was Bosnia and Herzegovina
's best-known poet after World War II
, and the former Yugoslavia
's most widely translated poet.
in March 1930. His mother, who wasn’t yet 18, had married a railway worker because she was "impressed by the uniform," which at that time was a "status symbol," as Sarajlić himself would later admit. Sarajlić's childhood was spent in Trebinje
and Dubrovnik
; he moved to Sarajevo
in 1945, where he would remain for the rest of his life.
In Sarajevo, Sarajlić attended the boys’ gymnasium, and would enter the world of Yugoslav poetry at age 19 with the collection, "U susretu" ("In meeting"). He graduated from the Philosophy Faculty of the University of Sarajevo
, department of philosophy and comparative literature, with a doctorate in philosophical sciences. During his studies at university, Sarajlić worked as a journalist.
After graduating, Sarajlić became a full-time professor at the Philosophy Faculty in Sarajevo, a position he would hold for the rest of his life. He was a member of both the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina
and the Writers' Society of Bosnia and Hercegovina, as well as the association of intellectuals, "Krug 99" ("Circle 99"). Together with Husein Tahmiščić, Ahmet Hromadžić, Velimir Milošević i Vladimir Čerkez, he founded "Sarajevo Poetry Days" as an international book festival in 1962.
During his lengthy career, Sarajlić published over 30 books of poetry, some of which have been translated into 15 languages, as well as numerous memoirs, political writings and translations.
Sarajlić's manuscript "Sarajevo War Journal," written during the first weeks of the siege of Sarajevo
, was published in 1993 in Slovenia
. Of it, Sarajlić would say, "This is the only collection of which I can say that I would love never to have written it."
Sarajlić is reported to have believed that he "belonged to the 20th century." When the 21st century arrived, he would date letters to friends as "1999+1," "1999+2," etc.
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...
historian of philosophy, essayist, translator and poet. Sarajlić was Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
's best-known poet after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and the former Yugoslavia
Former Yugoslavia
The former Yugoslavia is a term used to describe the present day states which succeeded the collapse of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia....
's most widely translated poet.
Biography
Sarajlić was born in DobojDoboj
Doboj is a city and a municipality in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, situated in the northern part of the Republika Srpska entity on the river Bosna. Doboj is the largest national railway junction; as such, the seats of the Republika Srpska Railways, and the Railways Corporation of Bosnia and...
in March 1930. His mother, who wasn’t yet 18, had married a railway worker because she was "impressed by the uniform," which at that time was a "status symbol," as Sarajlić himself would later admit. Sarajlić's childhood was spent in Trebinje
Trebinje
Trebinje is the southernmost municipality and town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity and is located in southeastern Herzegovina, some from the Adriatic Sea....
and Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
; he moved to Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
in 1945, where he would remain for the rest of his life.
In Sarajevo, Sarajlić attended the boys’ gymnasium, and would enter the world of Yugoslav poetry at age 19 with the collection, "U susretu" ("In meeting"). He graduated from the Philosophy Faculty of the University of Sarajevo
University of Sarajevo
The University of Sarajevo is the first university in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was originally established in 1531 as a Madrasah or Islamic Law college, with a modern university being established and expanded on top of that in 1949. Today, with 23 faculties and around 55,000 enrolled students, it...
, department of philosophy and comparative literature, with a doctorate in philosophical sciences. During his studies at university, Sarajlić worked as a journalist.
After graduating, Sarajlić became a full-time professor at the Philosophy Faculty in Sarajevo, a position he would hold for the rest of his life. He was a member of both the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the national academy of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-History:...
and the Writers' Society of Bosnia and Hercegovina, as well as the association of intellectuals, "Krug 99" ("Circle 99"). Together with Husein Tahmiščić, Ahmet Hromadžić, Velimir Milošević i Vladimir Čerkez, he founded "Sarajevo Poetry Days" as an international book festival in 1962.
During his lengthy career, Sarajlić published over 30 books of poetry, some of which have been translated into 15 languages, as well as numerous memoirs, political writings and translations.
Sarajlić's manuscript "Sarajevo War Journal," written during the first weeks of the siege of Sarajevo
Siege of Sarajevo
The Siege of Sarajevo is the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare. Serb forces of the Republika Srpska and the Yugoslav People's Army besieged Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 5 April 1992 to 29 February 1996 during the Bosnian War.After Bosnia...
, was published in 1993 in Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
. Of it, Sarajlić would say, "This is the only collection of which I can say that I would love never to have written it."
Sarajlić is reported to have believed that he "belonged to the 20th century." When the 21st century arrived, he would date letters to friends as "1999+1," "1999+2," etc.