Goran Babić, literary figure of Croatian Spring and later 'traitor,' dies in Belgrade at 82

The passing of Goran Babić in Belgrade at the age of 82 marks the end of an era for Yugoslav and Croatian literature. Babić was not merely a writer; he was a force of nature, a complex and prolific figure whose life was inextricably linked to the turbulent political landscape of Yugoslavia.

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Gori li Hrvatska?

His journey is a stark reminder of the volatile nature of public perception and political winds. Once hailed as a voice of the Croatian Spring, his later years saw him branded a national traitor. This dramatic shift, as chronicled by Miljenko Jergović, highlights how a single poem, "Gori li Hrvatska?" (Is Croatia Burning?), though intended as a reaction to environmental fires and paranoia, was twisted out of context to become a symbol of his alleged disloyalty.

As editor of the influential cultural publication "Oko," Babić became a polarizing figure. A staunch communist and Yugoslav loyalist, he fearlessly engaged in polemics against nationalism, often with sharp words that alienated many within the cultural elite. His unwavering stance, even when it made him a disruptive factor in Zagreb's delicate social fabric, cemented his image as an ideological enforcer.

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Posljednji pisac velike jugoslavenske književnosti

Babić's self-proclaimed status as the "last writer of the great Yugoslav literature" resonates deeply. His life story, from his birth on the partisan island of Vis to his final days in Belgrade, far from the Croatian public that once celebrated and then scorned him, is a profound narrative of conviction, solitude, and the enduring power of literary creation amidst political upheaval. His legacy, though contested, remains a significant chapter in the cultural and political history of the region.

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Strašno lice ništavila