GACKO PRESERVES THE MEMORY OF TEŠAN PODRUGOVIĆ

The memory of Tešan Podrugović, the rich gusle tradition, and the enduring power of Serbian epic poetry came alive in Gacko on May 15 with the ceremonial opening of the two-day cultural event “Days of Tešan Podrugović.”

PHOTO: www.gacko-rs.info

The manifestation began with the presentation of two books — “From Singer to Poet and Back Again” by Prof. Dr. Saša Knežević and “I Know Every Hero by Name” by Mr. Milivoj Bajštanski. Alongside the authors, the audience was also addressed by academician Jovan Delić, one of the most distinguished contemporary scholars of Serbian literature.

Delić emphasized that Tešan Podrugović was illiterate, yet an extraordinary storyteller and one of the favorite narrators of epic songs collected by Vuk Karadžić. According to him, Podrugović knew more than one hundred epic poems by heart, performing them vividly and impressively, although only around twenty of his songs were ever recorded in written form.

Giving special attention to younger researchers, Delić described Milivoj Bajštanski as one of the leading experts on Tešan’s singing style and epic heroes, stressing that his book represents a serious and methodologically grounded scholarly work. He particularly praised the concise structure, clarity, and analytical approach used in studying the characterization of epic figures in Tešan’s poems.

As explained during the discussion, attribution in epic poetry provides a relatively complete portrait of a hero and his role within the poem. It includes the hero’s name, physical appearance, age, origin, horse, weapons, social background, and actions.

Author Milivoj Bajštanski stated that the goal of his work was to present the profile of the epic hero and the process of shaping that hero through attribution within a representative selection of Tešan Podrugović’s poems. A special place in the book is dedicated to Marko Kraljević, one of the most dominant figures of Serbian epic tradition.

While Bajštanski explored the construction of characters through attribution in Tešan’s works, Prof. Dr. Saša Knežević focused on what happens to creators such as Tešan Podrugović and Filip Višnjić when they cross the boundary between mere preservers of tradition and authentic individual poets.

Academician Delić reminded the audience that the book “From Singer to Poet and Back Again” was published in Banja Luka last year and consists of two sections. The first contains nine studies dedicated to Serbian epic singers, including Tešan Podrugović, Starac Milija, and Starac Raško, while the second examines the role of gusle music and epic singing in contemporary times.

Knežević stressed that much more still needs to be written and said about Tešan Podrugović. He welcomed the launch of the manifestation and proposed the creation of a comprehensive monograph dedicated to Podrugović’s life and legacy. He also emphasized that Gacko deserves to become a permanent venue for scholarly discussions and round tables devoted to the famous epic bard, noting that continued research and dialogue are essential for inspiring future publications.

The event continues in Kazanci, the birthplace of Tešan Podrugović, where a memorial service will be held. Later in the evening, the program will continue with a ceremonial academy and the presentation of the “Tešan Podrugović” award for the best epic poem at the Cultural and Sports Center cinema hall, beginning at 7 p.m.

The “Days of Tešan Podrugović” manifestation is organized by the Association of Gusle Players and Epic Poets “Tešan Podrugović,” Matica srpska, and SPKD Prosvjeta, under the patronage of the Municipality of Gacko.