40 years since the death of the great Ivo Andrić

On this day 40 years ago, one of the greatest writers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslavia, Ivo Andrić, passed away. The anniversary of his death will be marked these days in his birthplace Travnik, Sarajevo, Mostar, Višegrad, Banja Luka, Belgrade, and many other places in the region, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

Travnik will send out postal stamps and quotes on shipments going to other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the world today, while in Belgrade, the documentary series “Biti čovek – Ivo Andrić” will be presented in the Yugoslav Cinematheque hall. In Sarajevo and Mostar, among other events, there will be a presentation of Andrić's collection “Franjevačke priče” (Franciscan Tales).

Ivo Andrić was born on October 9, 1892, in Dolac near Travnik, which would represent a constant theme and symbol of his identity throughout his life. In addition to the Nobel Prize, Andrić is recognized for his works such as “The Damned Yard”, “About stories and storytellers”, and “Omer paša Latas”.

On December 10, 1961, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for the novel “The Bridge on the Drina”. The award ceremony took place in the Concert Hall of the Swedish Academy in Stockholm, and this greatest world recognition was presented to him by Anders Esterlling. He decided to donate part of the prize money to the advancement of Bosnian and Herzegovinian librarianship.

- I wish to inform the Council for Culture of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina that I have decided to donate fifty percent of the amount received for the Nobel Prize to the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is my wish that these funds be used for the improvement of public libraries in the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Andrić wrote in a letter on May 17, 1962.

He was the recipient of many honors and awards, one of the most significant being the Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour, which was awarded for exceptional achievements in the national economy and culture of the SFRY.

After his death on March 13, 1975, he was buried in the New Cemetery in Belgrade with a modest marker.