Passionate fan of Hajduk Split, direct and open in both formal and informal socializing, communicative, modest, extremely funny, Vedran Kukavica is all that. And that is exactly what the literary evening with him was like at the crowded University of Split’s Gallery.
While the gallery space slowly filled up, he patiently answered the journalist's questions, explaining why he did not want to promote his book, but he changed his mind when he received an invitation from the University of Split, because it is about young people who are the future of reading.
Surrounded by the eminent Croatian artist Zdenka Pozaić’s prints, lovers of literature spent nearly two hours absorbing Vedran Kukavica ‘s every word, and he told them about everything. The event was organized by Helena Trze Jakelić, head of University Gallery, and the program was moderated by Marin Pelaić.
"Neminem", Vedran’s latest, is above all a novel that covers a wide range of topics and its immersed in the specific sense of humor of our tonight’s guest.
Where did the inspiration for "Neminem" come from?
- I was interested in how it would look if someone in Croatia got up in the morning and, because of ringing in his ears went to work and canceled everything: his bank account, health and pension insurance, and if he agreed with his family that they would not look for him. That was the immediate motive for this novel.
They say that an author brings a part of himself in every literary character he creates, that is, that every his characters in some way reflects a part of the author. Apart from the fact that you are both professors of philosophy, what else does “Neminem" have of yours?
- That is right, literature is made out of life. None of us has an exciting enough life like Hemingway to copy from himself, so we convey parts of our lives in fiction. I would not say that I am disgusted with the whole world, but I certainly have some ill will for it. I incorporated a part of that in the novel "Neminem", there is some disgust for everything that surrounds us, so there are elements of private life.
Do you think Croats do not read enough?
- I think in several dozen years no one will read anymore. Reading is a great effort for generations to come. I especially like to abuse readers in the first chapter with nasty text so that they all go away running. Who survives the first chapter will read the entire book.
Can that be changed? I will read one sentence from "Neminem": "Croats need a sign that something is forbidden so that they would go there." Is the solution to ban reading altogether?
- That sounds absurd, because forbidden fruit is the sweetest, and if we forbid reading, everyone would read, just because it is forbidden. Of course, that cannot be the solution, but it sounds interesting.
Writing is the perfect act of solitude and liberty, and I would recommend it to anyone who has lost all illusions about life to devote himself to writing - Vedran Kukavica said at the end.