Reading is the most important part of human culture, so in the traditional New Year text, in which "Vijesti" presents politicians in a different light, this time they talked about the books they love the most.
Draginja Vuksanović, Ljiljana Đurašković, Boris Bogdanović, Ervin Ibrahimović, Anka Vukićević, Tarzan Milošević and Aleksandra Vuković revealed to the "News" what they read and which books they always return to, and they also singled out mandatory literature as a recommendation to readers.
"The last, but of course, not the last, book I read... 'The Red Sari', by Javier Moro", begins the conversation of SDP MP Draginja Vuksanović, and then recounts the plot of this work.
"Year 1965. Sonja Majno, an Italian, a student who meets a young Indian, Rajav Gandhi. Because of love, she leaves her native country, her world, her family and goes to wonderful India, a country where 800 languages are spoken, a country with 20 million deities, 500 political parties," she says.
"The writer tells the true story of the Nehru-Gandhi family, prisoners of a fate they did not choose, a fate that will mark Sonia as a symbol of hope and future in an unborn country. Sonja and Radžav, a love that even death did not break," adds Vuksanović.
Meša Selimović among the favorite writers
Her colleague from the parliamentary benches, Ervin Ibrahimović from the Bosniac Party, singled out a timeless classic as the last book he read.
"During school, when the readings are mandatory, many of us find certain titles of literary works 'unappealing', so we read some and not some. "Dervish and Death" by Meša Selimović remained my favorite novel from high school," he says.
"I came back to that novel recently from a different angle and 'looked at it' and experienced it 'through other lenses.' "Meša is a writer whose profound messages remain throughout the space to echo," the MP points out. Anka Vukićević from Demos, and Tarzan Milošević from DPS also single out this work as reading that they read again and again.
"I couldn't say that any book has marked my life in particular. As I am one of those who weigh for a long time before making a decision, I often remember the book 'Dervish and Death' and the part where Mesha says that the most important thing in life is to make a decision. The moment a person makes a decision and tears away the indecision, all roads will open and the world will not be so narrow", she explains, and Milošević shares a similar taste.
"I love Russian classics, I've read everything from Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy, and I happily return to the book 'Dervish and Death', which is unsurpassedly written. It has everything, it shows the attitude towards friendship, state, religion and society's attitude towards it," he says.
Let's not allow ourselves to live a life torn from reality
Ljiljana Đurašković from the Democratic Front mentioned "The Circus Director's Daughter" as the last book she read, and as she says, it is the work of the Norwegian writer Justejn Gorder.
"The writer, like a spider, involves us in a masterful way in his world of imagination. At the same time, he warns us to be careful that the world of our dreams and fairy tales does not turn into reality to the point where there is no going back, and not to allow ourselves to live a life detached from reality", she says and points out that she liked the novel very much. .
Aleksandra Vuković (DPS) singles out Lav Losev as the author.
"The last book I read was 'Josif Brodsky - an overview of literary biography'. The impression that, when I was three years old in 1984, I myself listened to the lecture that Brodsky gave to the graduates of 'Williams' College: the surest defense against evil - extreme individualism, own opinion, originality, even eccentricity if necessary," she says.
Her colleague from the party, Tarzan Milošević, first mentioned the writer Dragan Velikić.
“I'm sorry I have little time to read. The last thing I read was "Islednik" by Dragan Velikić, which is interesting for all of us, because it talks about the former Yugoslavia, people, events, and at the same time talks about his life, his mother. I'm currently reading 'Tesla', I think it's interesting. It shows his portrait, how he turned from a manual laborer into a scientist," he said.
"I like to torture myself with those I don't agree with"
When it comes to the books that have influenced their lives and to which they always return, politicians have been less diverse.
Boris Bogdanović from the Democrats party was influenced the most by the book "Thus Spake Zarathustra" by Friedrich Nietzsche.
"Definitely, the book 'Thus Spake Zarathustra.' I have read it several times so far and thank you for this question, I will read it again", says the deputy who was also honest about the work he always returns to, which was also written by Nietzsche.
"Neither after the first nor after the last reading did I understand why the writer sends the message: 'God is dead' and why such a message. As a believer, I will never, nor can I accept the message from the works of this world great. This is precisely the reason why I keep coming back to this book. Obviously I like to torture myself with those I don't agree with at all," he replies.
"The moment I cried for days"
Vuksanović answered the same question by singling out "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy.
"A masterpiece of world literature, which has three dimensions, historical, romantic and war. A great and memorable love between Andrei Bolkonsky and Natasha Rostova. And the moment that made me cry for days and days... even today, I remember the moment when, shaking with tears, I read the lines describing the death of Andrei Bolkonsky (a character I was madly in love with) and the transience of life through his gaze directed towards the sky and the clouds that leave forever", are the memories of the politician.
"I cannot but mention 'Silent Don' by Sholokhov and the unforgettable love of Grigori and Aksinya. I was on Aksinja's side," she admits, and Ibrahimović, among others, likes Russian classics.
"I think it would be a sin to single out just one work or one writer, that's why I would mention Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Pushkin, Ljermontov, Balzac, Stefan Zvajg, Ivo Andrić, Ćamil Sijarić, Sidni Šeldon, and certainly Meša Selimović," the deputy enumerates.
Unmissable Russian classics
Đurašković also turns to Russian classics, saying that the book that marked her life is "The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
“The monumental work abounds with strikingly vivid characters with vivid stories, stories that involve passion, jealousy, hatred, hypocrisy, disturbed family relationships and crimes. I return to the wisdom of the old man Zosim, who in the peace of the monastery walls knows how to give comfort and guide the needy and the suffering to the right path," she says.
Vuković chose the same author.
"That, I'm sure now, is the novel 'Evil Souls' by FM Dostoyevsky. Because a man should always doubt his 'safe opinions', like Nikolai Stavrogin. And when he doesn't believe, he doesn't believe that he doesn't believe...", says the MP
A book is a friend of the soul
Vuković also listed the books that, according to her, must be read.
"I recommend the books 'History - Refuge or Roadmap' by Ivan Đurić, 'Time That Moves Away' by Mirko Kovač, 'Age of Bronze' by Slobodan Šnajder, 'Water, Cobweb' by Nada Gašić and 'The Case of Kukocki' by Ljudmila Ulicka.
These are the books I have read in recent months and I recommend them to your readers," she said.
While Milošević recommends "Islednik", but also "Red Hair" by Orhan Pamuk, which he characterized as modern books, Vuksanović could not single out just one or two.
"I would recommend it to everyone according to their choice, it is important to read and find time for a book... because a book is a friend of the soul. What must be read and is a matter of general culture are works of world literature, such as the ones I mentioned," she says, and Bogdanović shares the same opinion.
"My unequivocal message is that books must be read. They are a guide for all of us and only through them can we get to know others and ourselves. I usually gravitate toward works whose message I disagree with, so I wouldn't take the risk of suggesting some of them to readers. However, it should be their choice", he believes.
The problem is that children are reading less and less
Vukićević recognizes as a problem the decreasing dedication to reading when it comes to young people.
"When it comes to books, it is impossible not to notice that children read little and even avoid school readings. I would recommend to parents that the first books they give to their children be carefully selected, in order to awaken curiosity and love for books, and then they will discover on their own what they want to read about", is her advice.
Ibrahimović also believes that little is read today, and he finds the reason in obligations.
"Modern life is so crowded with business obligations that, unfortunately, there is less and less time to read fiction. But why not read Jules Verne, Robin Sharma, Og Mandin, Orwell, Kafka... Or maybe visit the nearest library and take the pleasure of reading through the distant and near past, present and future", is his message.
With the remark that this was the most difficult question for her, Đurašković also made an effort to explain what kind of books should be read.
"I believe that every book finds its reader, and that every book (except for easy 'weekend' literature) has something to offer and something to teach us. Therefore, instead of recommendations, I would rather give your readers a piece of advice: read everything available to you," she stressed.
Đurašković points out that we should work on general as well as spiritual culture.
"That's why, in addition to the pearls of world and domestic literature, read encyclopedias, books on the history of the country and the world, works of famous philosophers, scriptures of all major religions... The list goes on and on. Read both prose and poetry, and don't fall into the trap of believing that only the classics are worth reading. Contemporary writers and how they have something to offer, so explore what's new in bookstores and what topics writers from the country, the region, and the world are covering today. Just be curious and keep reading,” she advises.
Paulo Coelho united the government and the opposition
"I like the works of Paulo Coelho the most. A strong psychological message dominates his works, and psychology is my favorite science. Probably because of that fact, I am most interested in the works of this world-famous writer," says Bogdanović.
"The last book I read was his, and it's called 'The Winner is Alone.' It was only after this book that I understood how success can destroy the idea, will and plan of any person. It is a warning to all of us that success must not overcome us, that we must not misuse it and that we must direct it in the direction of the well-being of all of us together, because that is the only way it can last forever", concluded Bogdanović.
The same writer is singled out by Vukićević, who recently read "Manuscript Discovered in Acre".
"This is a book that encourages us to turn to ourselves, our principles, humanity, love, faith... There are moments in life when you should turn off everything from the outside and be alone with your thoughts," says the letter.
And Tarzan Milošević stated that he liked Koelje's "Spy", "because it talks about courage, free-spiritedness and the integration of such persons into society".
Magazines and portals more for work than pleasure
Đurašković also finds time for 'optional' literature such as portals, magazines and journals, but more for work than for pleasure.
"Due to the nature of my job, I try to get information from all media, which deal with topics related to politics and society. I read all the newspapers that are printed in Montenegro. The exception is, of course, the tabloid press and media that claim to be informative, but actually belong to the previous category. "Most often, I get information from the portal, and I follow all the events in the country and the region," she says.
"When it comes to television, I try not to skip the news, so if I'm at home, I'll watch news programs on all major channels in Montenegro in a row," Đurašković admits, and Vuksanović gave a similar answer.
"Every day I read the daily press, I regularly follow portals, both Montenegrin and those outside Montenegro. Timely information about events in society and the state, as well as in the region and the world, is important to me. I also follow fashion portals when I have time, they relax me. I single out chiwelook.me," she revealed.
Ibrahimović says that he visits portals, but that he does not have time to read magazines and weeklies, and the same is true of his colleague Bogdanović.
"Unfortunately, I have no other choice but to follow portals dominated by the 'Politics' section. So your portal is hard to bypass," says Bogdanović, explaining that since he has been professionally engaged in politics, all his days are working days, that work ends at 22 p.m. at the earliest, and that he therefore has no time to read other content.
Anka Vukićević's morning ritual includes reading various columns.
"In the morning, I necessarily browse through the portals with my coffee. Most often, these are Vijesti, Buka, Index, Peščanik. The weekly Monitor has been in our home every Friday since the first issue. "Monitor remained my choice, because even in the most difficult times we shared our views," she said.
Vuković also finds time for portals, but this epistle says that easy reading should not be put in the same basket as serious literature.
"Sometimes I read portals, several of them at the same time. But I constantly feel the smell of Crnojević's printing house and I will always be a woman of the book," she said.
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