Hvar City Theatre Days, Vol. 51 No. 1, 2025.
Original scientific paper
Vježbanje života - a Chronisteria of Transgenerational Trauma
Ivana Krtinić
Abstract
This paper analyses different approaches to the theme of transgenerational trauma in two theatrical adaptations of the cult novel Exercising Life by Nedjeljko Fabrio, as well as the potential use of literary works for therapeutic purposes. The historical novel serves as a broader framework through which the author intertwines the tragic destinies of his characters, which, from the perspective of psychiatric phenomenology, can be classified as traumas. Starting from the assumption that trauma constitutes a life-threatening situation leaving a lasting impact on an individual, it can be concluded that Vježbanje života is a Bildungsroman not only about the history of two families but also about the history of their family traumas rooted in separation, the loss of a mother, wars, and issues of national identity. Alongside the novel, two plays are juxtaposed, created 30 years apart, in historically different circumstances and as products of distinct directorial visions. The play initially performed in February 1990 represents a Wagnerian vision developed through the collaboration of Nedjeljko Fabrio, Darko Gašparović, and Georgij Paro. Thirty years later, director Marin Blažević approaches the novel from a completely different perspective, which did not go without certain criticisms. By employing a comparative approach to these performances – without aiming to evaluate the directors’ visions but rather focusing on the treatment of transgenerational trauma – the paper opens the possibility for a new interpretation of this anthology work and its application in bibliotherapy.
Keywords
Vježbanje života; transgenerational trauma; identity; bibliotherapy
Hrčak ID:
330794
URI
Publication date:
14.5.2025.
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