Novi Sad

Aleksandar Tišma (Horgoš, January 16, 1924 – Novi Sad, February 16, 2003) was one of the most significant Serbian writers of the second half of the 20th century, an academician of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and a recipient of numerous prestigious domestic and international awards. His work, deeply rooted in the experiences of Central Europe and multicultural Novi Sad, explores themes of war, the Holocaust, identity, existence, and the moral dilemmas of individuals facing extreme circumstances. Through novels such as "The Use of Man" and "The Book of Blam," Tišma created a universal literature that transcends local boundaries, positioning him among the greatest European writers.

Early Life and Education

Aleksandar Tišma was born in Horgoš to a family of mixed heritage – his father, Fedor, was Serbian, and his mother, Etel, was a Hungarian Jew. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Novi Sad, a city that would become not only his home but also a central motif and setting for many of his works. He completed elementary school and gymnasium (high school) in Novi Sad in 1942. His youth was marked by turbulent historical events, including World War II and the tragic suffering of Jews in Novi Sad, which left an indelible mark on his personality and future creative work. During the war, he was arrested and deported to a labor camp, from which he managed to escape.

After the war, he enrolled in German studies at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, graduating in 1954. Although he formally studied literature, his true education came through intensive reading, translation, and living through the turbulent post-war period of Yugoslavia, shaping his unique perspective on human history and destiny.

Work and Activity in Novi Sad

Upon his return to Novi Sad after his studies, Aleksandar Tišma began his professional career as a journalist, working for the editorial offices of "Slobodna Vojvodina" and "Borba." However, a crucial part of his professional life was connected to Matica Srpska, one of the oldest and most esteemed cultural institutions among Serbs. From 1954, he worked at Matica Srpska as an editor, and from 1969 to 1973, he served as the editor-in-chief of the renowned "Letopis Matice srpske" (Chronicle of Matica Srpska), the oldest Serbian literary journal, a position of exceptional importance in the cultural life of the time ¹. He later served as the secretary of the Department of Literature at Matica Srpska until his retirement in 1989.

In addition to his editorial work, Tišma was actively involved in translation, translating works from German, French, and Hungarian, thereby contributing to bridging cultural and linguistic barriers and enriching Serbian literature. His presence and activities within Matica Srpska and the broader cultural milieu of Novi Sad were crucial for the city's development as a cultural center. Through his work, Tišma was not only a witness but also an active participant in shaping post-war Yugoslav and Serbian culture, always maintaining a critical stance and intellectual autonomy.

Major Works

Aleksandar Tišma's literary opus began with poetry and short stories, but he achieved full maturity with his novels of the 1970s and 1980s.

His first novel, "Za crnom devojkom" (After the Dark Girl), was published in 1969. However, the true turning point came with "Knjiga o Blamu" (The Book of Blam) (1972), a novel that poignantly depicts the inner struggle of Miroslav Blam, a Novi Sad Jew and Holocaust survivor, as he confronts the trauma and memories of the brutal Novi Sad Raid of January 1942. Blam's inability to forget and live a "normal" life becomes a metaphor for a collective post-traumatic reality.

The pinnacle of Tišma's creativity is the novel "Upotreba čoveka" (The Use of Man) (1976), for which he received the NIN Award. This work, recognized as a masterpiece of Serbian and European literature, meticulously explores the destinies of three Novi Sad families (Serbian, German, and Jewish) before and during World War II. Tišma masterfully portrays dehumanization, moral decline, and the struggle for survival within a totalitarian system, employing a precise, analytical, and often clinically detached style that heightens the tragedy of the described events. The novel has been translated and studied extensively, and its universality lies in its ability to speak about human nature in its darkest and brightest aspects.

Among other significant works are the novels: * "Škola bezbožništva" (The School of Godlessness) (1978) – a collection of stories that continues to explore themes of the Holocaust, moral collapse, and survival. * "Vere i zavere" (Faiths and Conspiracies) (1983) – a novel addressing complex interethnic relations in multi-confessional Vojvodina. * "Kapo" (The Capo) (1987) – a story about Nada Šilinger, a Jewish woman who survives a concentration camp by becoming a capo, raising questions of moral compromise and the limits of human endurance.

Besides novels, Tišma also wrote short story collections ("Mrtvi ugao" - The Dead Angle, "Povratak miru" - Return to Peace, "Hiljadu i druga noć" - The Thousand and Second Night) and essays. His works have been translated into more than twenty languages, and he was particularly esteemed in Germany and France, where he received significant accolades, including the Austrian State Prize for European Literature (1996) and the French Order of Arts and Letters (1997) ².

Legacy and Significance

Aleksandar Tišma left an indelible mark on Serbian and European literature as a writer who, without embellishment, explored the darkest sides of human history and psyche. His legacy is reflected in several key aspects:

Firstly, Tišma was a tireless chronicler of the Holocaust and its consequences in Vojvodina, especially Novi Sad. Through his works, he preserved the memory of the suffering of Novi Sad Jews, preventing this tragic episode of history from being forgotten. His novels are not merely historical testimonies but profound psychological studies of trauma, memory, and the impossibility of complete healing.

Secondly, Tišma was a master of psychological characterization and narration. His style was precise, without superfluous adornments, focused on analyzing the internal states of his protagonists and their complex moral dilemmas. His characters are often passive, yet their inner world is turbulent, permeated by guilt, fear, and hope.

Thirdly, his works are universal. Although deeply rooted in a local context, Tišma's stories of violence, survival, identity, and human (in)tolerance resonate with readers worldwide. He posed questions relevant to all of human civilization, making him an indispensable author in studies of war, memory, and ethics.

As an academician of the SANU (Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts) and a recipient of numerous awards, Tišma achieved the status of a classic during his lifetime. His works are still studied in schools and universities today, and critics rank him among the most important voices of the 20th century ³. Novi Sad, the city that so profoundly shaped his work, proudly recognizes him as one of its most prominent citizens, whose name remains a symbol of resistance to oblivion and the quest for truth.

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Literature and References

1. Popović, Radovan. Aleksandar Tišma: Život i delo (Aleksandar Tišma: Life and Work). Službeni glasnik, Belgrade, 2010.
2. Lazić, Ljiljana. Književno delo Aleksandra Tišme: Kritičke perspektive (The Literary Work of Aleksandar Tišma: Critical Perspectives). Matica srpska, Novi Sad, 2008.
3. Petković, Novica. Antologija srpske književnosti: Aleksandar Tišma (Anthology of Serbian Literature: Aleksandar Tišma). Zavod za udžbenike, Belgrade, 2010.