The event Ivo Andrić – Life and Work organized by the Alliance of Serbs in Styria on the occasion of the centenary of Ivo Andrić’s doctoral defense held on 5 April 2024, filled the hall of the Karl Franzens University of Graz. Goran Jović, president of the Alliance of Serbs in Styria, stated several important facts about the Alliance’s long-term plans, in addition to the importance of such events for the community in Graz and beyond.

‘It is our obligation to continue reading, researching and passing on to future generations the works of Ivo Andrić, but also of all those who contributed to the richness of our culture with their pen,’ he said.

The following associations helped organize this event: Serbian Educational and Cultural Society Prosvjeta Austria – Styria branch, cultural and artistic society Sveti Sava Graz, KERB (Cultural Heritage Integrity and Integration), Serbian Sports Club Obilić Graz, CO Serbs for Serbs – Austria, cultural and sports society Božuri and Church Choir of the Temple of Saints Cyril and Methodius Graz.

Anastasija Jungić gave a lecture on Andrić’s life. Professor emeritus Branko Tošović gave a lecture on Graz about Andrić, Andrić about Graz, and about lesser-known facts from Andrić’s life. Prof. Dragana Heigli, a teacher at Prosvjeta’s Serbian language school in Graz, spoke about the importance of Andrić’s creativity for literature of South East Europe and Austria.

Тhomas Horst Alić, a member of the city council, was delighted with the organization and energy of this event and conveyed the greetings of the Mayor, Ms Elke Kahr.

As is entirely in his nature, the acting genius Tihomir Stanić excelled in the performance of the monodrama The Bridge on the Drina.

The program was conducted bilingually by Irina Karamarković, PhD, chairwoman of the Migrant Advisory Council Graz.

The past event Ivo Andrić – Life and Work is one in a series of events within the Serbian-Austrian Bridges project. Great support for that project came from Austrian and Serbian institutions.

Gratitude for the support goes to the Education and Integration Office of the City of Graz, Migrant Advisory Council Graz, Government of the Province of Styria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Radio Television of Serbia, and Maja Radonić, PhD, and Biljana Đorđević Mironja from the Ivo Andrić Foundation Belgrade.

Source and photo: Alliance of Serbs in Austria