MONOGRAPH ON CREATIVE SPIRIT AND SERBIAN CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD HERITAGE

FOČA, OCTOBER 16 /SRNA/ – The monograph "The Wealth of the Serbian People", written by 22 Serbian experts from various fields, represents a unique encyclopedia of Serbian creativity and the nation's contribution to world heritage, it was said at the book's promotion held at the Foča Center for Culture and Information.

Archaeological sites, the Serbian script and linguistic monuments, cultural heritage, ethnological treasures, Serbian musical heritage, notable Serbian artists, scientists, athletes, and natural riches are among the thematic sections of this book. At the promotion in Foča, academician Danilo Basta stated that this monograph reflects the richness of nature and of what the Serbian people have created through the strength of their inquisitive, truth-loving, and productive spirit - and no less, through their skilled and diligent hands. According to him, this is an exceptional monograph of a rare kind, encompassing the spiritual, scientific, and cultural wealth of the Serbian people, as well as the riches of the material world. "Its content is adapted for a wide circle of readers, it has an educational character, and, most importantly, it is a book that strengthens and enriches the identity of the Serbian people wherever they live. I am convinced that among younger generations this book will play an irreplaceable role in shaping their identity," Basta emphasized. He added that the book is comprehensive in its ambition to present the wealth of the Serbian people in a responsible, serious, and methodical manner. "I believe that this effort has been completely successful. Of course, one might always find something to criticize - there is no book beyond critique," Basta said. The academician noted that many other important names, especially from the worlds of literature and science, could have been included, but that the material presented in this volume is more than sufficient to demonstrate the great achievements of the creative spirit and ingenuity of the Serbian people. The monograph "The Wealth of the Serbian People" was initiated by Zdravko Močević, while the book's editor Slobodan Janković stated that the work serves as both a reminder and a guidepost for the Serbian nation - a testament to its greatness and its significant contribution to global creativity. He explained that the authors strived to include what was most important, but that it was impossible to fit everything into one volume, which is why this should be considered only the first tome. "The book shows where we stand, for example, in the field of science - it becomes clear that people from the Serbian nation have achieved incredible results when we consider how small our population is compared to the rest of the world, and yet how much we have contributed to scientific discoveries. We all know about Tesla and Pupin, but there is also an entire array of other creators you can discover in this book," Janković noted. The biographies of notable Serbs, he added, are not limited to dry facts; the authors enriched them with engaging anecdotes. Thus, the book includes the story of the modest Serbian genius Mika Alas, who prepared a fish lunch from his own catch for his friend Lazar Paču, the Minister of Finance - a lunch that ended up being attended by the entire Serbian government. Also featured are the traditional gusle and the story of the indomitable spirit of the Serbian soldier in the Great War, who made gusle from a military helmet while in the trenches. The director of the Foča Center for Culture and Information Radmila Prvulović recalled that the book was first presented last year at the Belgrade Book Fair and, after around ten promotions throughout Republika Srpska and the region, finally arrived in Foča. "This unique work encompasses the best of what the Serbian people have to offer and what they present to the world - from architecture, history, and culture, to science and even gastronomy," Prvulović said. At the promotion, journalist Mira Lolić Močević also spoke, noting that although the Serbian nation may be small in number, it is great in achievement - something beautifully demonstrated by this book. She announced that the book will be translated into English.