As part of the celebration of City Day on April 24, the Cultural Center in Gradiška hosted one of the most prominent Serb poets and academicians, Matija Bećković.
Through works titled “Moj drug Đido,” “Majka Zorka,” and “Nigde nikog nemamo kud,” the audience had the opportunity to reconnect with fundamental values, memory, and enduring life themes.
The director of the Belgrade-based publishing house Vukotić Media, Manojlo Manjo Vukotić, described Bećković as “the strongest and most renowned writer of today,” highlighting the distinctiveness of the presented books.
“Although all three books are different, they are connected by a common ‘red thread’ — truth, loyalty, and devotion to friendship. From the intimate confession in ‘Majka Zorka,’ through powerful poetry, to unique conversations with Milovan Đilas, these works represent the pinnacle of Serb literature,” Vukotić explained.
Professor of literature Radana Vila Stanišljević described the evening with Bećković as extraordinary, particularly emphasizing the academician’s uncompromising commitment to speaking the truth.
She noted that the poet repeatedly symbolically referred to unmarked graves, interpreting it as the key message of the evening — a warning against forgetting and a call to preserve identity.
The mayor of Gradiška, Zoran Adžić, presented Bećković with a certificate of appreciation for his exceptional contribution to strengthening cultural ties between Gradiška, Republika Srpska, and Serbia.
“This was a timeless evening with a man whose profound thoughts convey messages of unity and cohesion of the Serb people,” Adžić stated.
Visibly emotional, the poet praised the audience in Gradiška, noting that the strong turnout of young people proves that books have no substitute.
“Gradiška means a city, a construction site, citizens, and building. This is visible at every step, as well as in the perspective that is emerging here,” Bećković said.
The evening was further enriched by the emotional impact of Bećković’s recitations, while the musical segment featured Minja Šukalo Naerac performing the compositions “Sokole” and “Tri vile.”
Source: Glas Srpske
