Mirjana Miocinovic: Anti-War Activist, Theatre Professor – and Muse of Danilo Kis

Naum added that her work left a deep mark in the field of drama theory and theatre not only in Serbia but also in the wider area of former Yugoslavia.

"Mira was undoubtedly very much responsible for the great reputation of that wonderful FDU school, and her quality will continue to define the fact that her students repeat: 'Mirjana Miocinovic taught here'. And when the war started in 1991, as a sign of protest, she resigned," Naum concluded.

As soon as she stopped teaching at the faculty, her anti-war engagement began. All of Mirjana's interviews and texts since 1991 have since been merged into a book, The Impotence of the Obvious. In an informal conversation with BIRN, she pointed out that she no longer gives formal interviews, and that everything has been said in the last three decades in this book.

Miirjana Miocinovic. Photo: Naum Panovski.

Trusted guardian of Danilo Kis's legacy

Miocinovic and Kis met at the newly founded studies in world literature where they were the first generation. Thus began their love that grew into a marriage that lasted some two decades.

In a video essay dedicated to Mirjana, writer Filip David pointed out that Danilo trusted her to review his manuscripts.

"Each of his manuscripts passed through her hands and that trust was not broken even after their divorce, Mirjana remained dedicated to the image and work of Danilo Kiš and deserves the credit for having done a lot even after Danilo's death to find some of his forgotten manuscripts and the overall affirmation of Danilo's literary work,' David added.

Kiš died in 1989, and in his will, he entrusted Miocinovic with the care of his literary legacy in the territory of Yugoslavia. Since then, Mirjana has taken care of his...