Interesting physics and love story from the pen of Gordana Vuković

Two books were promoted as part of the International Festival of Alternative Theater Korifej in Kolašin Gordana Vukovic, i to "Clickers, Happy Physics" and the novel "Letters of Silence".

In conversation with the author, professor Snežana Šćepanović Đurasović said that the children's book "Happy Physics" is a kind of textbook. Vuković said that this form arose from friendship and joint work with colleagues from the study, and is dedicated to the late Sandra Milonjic, to the best student of their generation, who died in her second year of studies.

"I wanted to bring physics closer to children through interesting stories, simple explanations, and everyday examples, such as marbles and other objects, to make the basic laws and concepts more understandable and fun. The book is intended for both children and adults, but primarily for beginners in learning physics," said the author.

Teaching, she said, was the most beautiful part of her career and, although she is no longer involved in it, she believes that “once a teacher, always a teacher.” She especially remembers the words of her atomic physics professor and mentor. Swan Vukcevic, which highlighted her simple way of conveying knowledge.

She explained that one of the most important tasks of a teacher is to understand children and convey complex knowledge in a way that they can understand.

When it comes to her novel "Letters of Silence", Šćepanović Đurasović said that it is a love story set in an unnamed village, in which nature, village life, customs, people and their destinies intertwine.

"A family through three generations. A house in an unnamed village as an oasis of peace and security, a hideaway from everything that separates a person from himself in modern society. Nature, physical and mental work, happiness in the scent of an old-fashioned room, flowers, forest air, silence."

Jela and Borko, nomen est omen, "a bright day when it's cloudy". Stanka, an old woman who has been made wise by life, sees and knows, taught not to ask because everything is always just told. Grandma's "letters of silence" speak loudly about love, which is the meaning of life, and the strength to continue life when half of the heart is gone.

"Written in the language of the soul, understandable and sincere, the love novel "Letters of Silence" reminds the reader of what is most important, that the greatest happiness is to have a person by your side who will protect the child within you," said Šćepanović Đurasović.

According to the words Radmile Jovicević"Letters of Silence" features characters characterized by determination, care for their loved ones, wisdom, loyalty, and simplicity.

"Love is the inspiration for this book, among other things, in the form of a certain love that lives through memories, in letters written in silence, and with which the author, taking us to a fictional future, builds a relationship with her main character, in the desire to convey to her and the readers the importance and greatness that true love gives to human beings," said Jovićević.

Jovićević said that the novel, through the characters of Jela, Stanka and Borko, talks about finding oneself, returning to one's roots and the power of closeness. Jela finds answers and her own path through her grandmother's letters and her stay in the old family house. Stanka, a wise old woman whose loneliness shaped a deep understanding of life, finds joy again through Jela and Borko. Borko, accustomed to the fast-paced city life, discovers peace, nature and a connection with his roots in the countryside.

"With its easy-to-understand language and ease of storytelling, the novel draws us into the story and the lives of its characters, making us not feel that we have already reached the very end. "Letters of Silence" brings us, with its layers, the intersection of the life paths of Jela, Stanka and Borko, the power of different generations and, perhaps most importantly, a reminder that finding oneself is the first and most important task of each of us," she said.

Jovićević said that through the characters' experiences, the book reminds us of values ​​that never lose their importance and that, at the right moment, can help the reader find answers to their own questions. She singled out the need for everyone to find their own way to live well and meaningfully as the most important message of the novel.

The author explained that she intentionally did not physically describe the characters, nor did she give them real names, so that readers could imagine them in their own way.

The book promotion was an opportunity for Vuković to share her experiences in dealing with life's losses, and her message was that we cannot change the past, so we should live in the present moment, believe in the future, and accept the transience of life.

Vuković was born in 1969 in Bijelo Polje. She graduated in physics from the Faculty of Science in Titograd and worked as a teacher and professor in schools in Manastir Morača, Spuž and Podgorica. Since 2007, she has been working in the family company "GMG Montenegro" in Danilovgrad.

She is the author of several books, including "Good Man", "Mother", "Steps", "Waiting", "Hope" and "Clickers, Happy Physics".