Oral literature as the foundation of identity

Matica Crnogorska promoted four anthologies: editions of fairy tales, legends, fables and stories that preserve the spirit and language of Montenegro

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From the promotion at Matica Crnogorska, Photo: Matica Crnogorska
From the promotion at Matica Crnogorska, Photo: Matica Crnogorska
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Last night, four anthologies of Montenegrin folk prose edited by Radoje Radojevic: fairy tales Fairy Mountain, legends Fire of the Self-Made, fables When Everything Said and stories Flood Time. These editions are the result of many years of research and fieldwork, some of which were completed by Radojević after his death Danilo Radojevic.

"The anthologies encompass the entire ethnogeographical space of Montenegro and authentically depict the wealth of oral literature," he said. Ivan Ivanovic from Matica Crnogorska, emphasizing that no other Balkan nation has so many folk fables that they can be collected into a separate book.

Editor Milovan Radojevic He emphasized the importance of distinguishing authentic folk traditions from later ideological interpolations, such as those inserted into the narrative about the Kuči tribe. Jovan Erdeljanović.

Sofija Kalezić emphasized the importance of fairy tales as a literary form, while the linguist Novica Vujović pointed out the problem of adapting the language of oral stories to the standards of the Serbo-Croatian language, which often undermined the authenticity of expression and cultural identity.

The anthologies will be partially translated into English, and the translator Marija Krivokapic She highlighted the complexity of transferring rich folk expression and symbolism into another language.

Teacher Vladimir Vojinović He concluded that Radojević's work is crucial for the preservation of Montenegrin cultural heritage and identity: the affirmation of oral literature means the establishment of the identity of Montenegro.

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