Professional paper

The Legacy of Ivo Balentović

Vedrana Lugić ; Gradska knjižnica i čitaonica Vinkovci *
Tihomir Marojević ; Gradska knjižnica i čitaonica Vinkovci *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this paper is to present the Legacy of Ivo Balentović as a new and relevant source for studying his life and literary work. Since a substantial part of the Legacy consists of correspondence between Željko Mijaković and Ivo Balentović, the paper seeks to portray Balentović not only as a writer but also as a private individual, thereby providing a more comprehensive understanding of his activities.
Approach. The paper will analyse the entire content of the Legacy, with particular emphasis on the correspondence as its central and most valuable component. All archival units will be presented, accompanied by occasional analytical interpretations of selected statements by Balentović, with the aim of contextualising the creation of the Legacy and clarifying the nature of the Balentović–Mijaković relationship.
Findings. The principal contribution of this paper is a systematic presentation of the Legacy as a valuable source for studying the history of Croatian literature and for illuminating Balentović’s role in several historical processes that shaped social and cultural life and that remain topics of scholarly and public debate. The analysis will also help resolve certain ambiguities that have significantly influenced the public perception of Balentović, particularly within the socio-political context of former Yugoslavia.
Practical implications. In addition to offering opportunities for more in-depth research into the life and work of Ivo Balentović, the Legacy also possesses considerable interpretive and potential touristic value. The dynamic nature of his life opens possibilities for presenting Balentović to a wide professional and general audience, including literary historians, historians of other specialisations, chroniclers of social events, and, indirectly, visitors interested in cultural heritage.
Originality. This is the third known legacy of Ivo Balentović; however, unlike the previously known collections, this Legacy provides a substantially deeper and more direct insight into his private life and personal relationships, thus representing a highly valuable contribution to further research on this insufficiently studied author.

Keywords

Ivo Balentović, Vinkovci City Library Room, legacy, correspondence, manuscripts

Hrčak ID:

346339

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/346339

Publication date:

17.4.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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