Miroslav Krleža dominated the cultural and literary landscape of 20th-century Yugoslavia for five decades. A writer of poetry, prose, and polemical essays, he challenged the boundaries of artistic expression. His career spanned the transition from the Austro-Hungarian Empire through the Kingdom of Yugoslavia to the Socialist Federal Republic, leaving behind a massive body of work that dissected social hypocrisy.
Military Origins and Early Defiance
Born in Zagreb in 1893, Krleža received his education at the Ludovica Military Academy in Budapest. His early life was marked by service in the Austro-Hungarian army, where he was demoted and deployed to the Eastern Front during World War I. This experience deeply informed his anti-war perspectives, later crystallizing in his collection of stories, Croatian God Mars.
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Krleža became a member of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia in 1918. However, he remained a contentious figure within leftist circles due to his refusal to adhere to the rigid tenets of socialist realism. This independence led to his expulsion from the Party in 1939. His influence as an editor was significant, as he drove the production of influential reviews such as Plamen, Književna republika, Danas, and Pečat.
Post-War Stature and Lexicography
Following World War II, Krleža underwent a period of political rehabilitation and became a central figure in Yugoslav intellectual life. He served as an advisor to President Tito and, in 1950, established the Yugoslav Institute for Lexicography. His leadership there persisted until his death in 1981. During this later phase, he held high-profile roles, including president of the Yugoslav Writers' Union from 1958 to 1961.
Literary Contributions
His output encompassed diverse genres. The play Messrs. Glembay explored the decline of a bourgeois family, while The Return of Philip Latinowicz and The Banners established his reputation in the novel form. His poetry, particularly The Ballads of Petrica Kerempuh, remains highly regarded for its linguistic complexity. He was a frequent recipient of major honors, including the Herder Prize in 1968 and the NIN Prize in 1962.
Fast facts
- Born: 1893, Zagreb
- Died: 29 December 1981, Zagreb
- Education: Ludovica Military Academy
- Notable work: The Return of Philip Latinowicz
- Awards: Herder Prize (1968), NIN Prize (1962)
- Religion: Atheism
- Buried: Mirogoj Cemetery
- Member: Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Questions readers ask
What was Krleža's role in the Yugoslav Institute for Lexicography?
He founded the institute in 1950 with the support of President Tito and served as its head until his death in 1981.
Why was Krleža expelled from the Communist Party of Yugoslavia?
He was expelled in 1939 due to his unorthodox views on art, his opposition to socialist realism, and his refusal to openly support the Great Purge.
Achievements
- Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour
- Herder Prize — 1968
- Order of the Yugoslavian Great Star
- Order of Brotherhood and Unity
- Austrian State Prize for European Literature — 1975
- Notable work: Messrs. Glembay
- Notable work: Croatian God Mars
- Notable work: Ballads of Petrica Kerempuh
- Notable work: The Return of Philip Latinowicz
