SVIBOR - Project code: 6-03-065

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Project code: 6-03-065

SLAVONIAN LITERATURE IN GERMAN LANGUAGE

Main researcher: OBAD, VLADO (86845)

Assistants

Type of research: developmental
Duration from: 04/30/91. to 12/15/95.

Papers on project (total): 11

Institution name: Pedagoški fakultet, Osijek (122)

Communication: Phone: 385 (0)31 125199; Fax: 385 (0)31 126757

Summary: The project investigates the contribution of German population to various aspects of culture in Slavonia, specially in Osijek during the Habsburg monarchy. The period from 1918 to 1945 was also studied since at that time the German ethnic community still presented a significant cultural entity. Attention was given to the history of German theatre in Osijek (1750-1907) and the feuilleton-writing in German journalism (1864-1929). The main emphasis, however, was on the discovery, evaluation and publication of the literary heritage of Slavonian writers who wrote in German language. Victor von Reisner (1860-1919) is the author of two successful collection of stories about life in a Slavonian village in the second half of 19 century. His novels, however, are of a lower quality despite thematical link with Slavonia. Roda Roda (1872-1945) is the best anecdote-teller in German language. His stories about Slavonian nobility are forgotten nowadays in spite of remarkable narrative quality and acid satire. Vilma (Miskolzy) Vukelic (1880-1956) is a writer of great intellectual maturity. She wrote five novels which were not published and the memoirs of the bygone Osijek. Due to cosmopolitan life and literary spirit these three authors belong to the cultural milieu of "Mitteleuropa" but they are also part of Croatian literature because thematically they are bound up with Slavonia.

Keywords: Slavonian literature, German theatre, German journalism, Victor von Reisner, Roda Roda, Vilma Vukelic, "Mitteleuropa"

Research goals: Preliminary results of two-year scientific and pioneering research were united in my book "Slavonian Literature in German Language" (1989). The goal of this project is to present the discoveries from the book to the wider reading audience both German and Croatian since these works of Germann writers from Slavonia belong simultaneously to German and Croatian literature. The former findings are to be enriched, scientifically and literary based and presented in expert milieus. "Osijek literary circle" has due to my endeveours become a landmark for one rich regional literature among foreign literary historians who are dealing with middle and south-east Europe. By publishing Croatian translations of German literary works German writers should find their place in our cultural heritageand regional school curricula of Slavonia. The former results: - Publication of an original version of Vilma Vukelic' s memoires (Munchen 1993) and the Croatian translation (Zagreb 1994); - Revision of V.Vukelic' s novel ( manuscript) "In Engen Grenzen" (1993) ; - Translation of the book "Slavonian Literature in German Language" into German (Wien 1994, Bohlau Verlag); - Preparation of the material for the book "Stories from Slavonia" by Roda Roda (Wien 1993).

Other information about the project.


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Last update: 09/19/95
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