When verses smell like life: Šerbedžija turned the Book Fair into a stage of emotions

The fourth day of the International Podgorica Book Fair was marked by emotion, poetry and sincere artistic confession. The audience's attention was focused on the promotion of the book "Crnocrveno", a new literary work by the legendary actor and artist. Rade Serbedzija, who once again showed with his performance why the audience has perceived him for decades as one of the most special voices of the regional art scene.

At the very beginning of the evening, Šerbedžija spoke openly about his relationship with writing, admitting that "Crnocrveno" was only the second book he had the courage to publish. He also recalled his first book, "Promjenljivi", written with the encouragement of his long-time friend Igor Mandić, a man who, as he says, was among the first to seriously recognize his need to write.

Speaking about his youth, Šerbedžija revealed that literature was his first great love, even before acting. Reading, he said, was the space in which he grew up, while poems emerged from internal reflections, from a life spent between the stage and reality. He particularly referred to the poem "The Stone Guest", written while he was playing Don Juan, explaining that even then he was trying to understand his own obsession with acting and the need for a "false life" that art often demands of a person.

The title of the book "Crnocrveno" carries strong symbolism and the author's personal rebellion against the rigidities of the system in which he grew up. Although he still sees himself today as a convinced leftist and a man who sincerely loved the idea of ​​Yugoslavia and socialism, Šerbedžija spoke of his quiet inner resistance to everything that was rigid, imposed and unfree. It was this sensibility, as he said, that brought him closer to artists and filmmakers of a dissident spirit, among whom the director holds a special place Zivojin Pavlovic, with whom he collaborated on as many as five films.

A particularly emotional moment of the evening came when he spoke about Ivanka, to his first wife, to whom the book is dedicated. Without pathos, but with much tenderness, Šerbedžija spoke about the love that, as he says, did not disappear even after the breakup of the marriage. The audience listened to his words in almost complete silence, while the actor spoke honestly about relationships, losses and memories that time does not erase.

Revealing the motives of the book, he explained that all 36 poems actually deal with his personal microcosm, the little things and moments that shape a person. In these verses, a woman who leaves, children, the silence of a room, old wardrobes, glasses on a table, dreams and fears appear. A special place is occupied by the symbol of the snake, which runs through both of his books and represents acting, an art that simultaneously attracts, scares and completely defines him.

The evening was not only about literature. Recalling his younger days, Šerbedžija spoke with particular passion about football and his friendship with Božo Koprivica, whom he said was the best football player among all those he played with, but above all a man of exceptional honor, intelligence and literary talent. Through these memories, the audience got to know another dimension of the artist who lived both sports and art with equal passion throughout his life.

The highlight of the evening came when Šerbedžija began reciting his poems. His distinctive voice filled the hall with special emotion, while the atmosphere was further enhanced by the violinist. Verica Čuljković, who accompanied his narration on stage with subtle and moving violin melodies.

After the promotion, a long line of admirers waited for the opportunity to get an autograph, a photo, or a short conversation with the artist who showed this evening that true art does not belong only to the stage, but also to people who seek a part of their own lives in words.