Srbija - nacionalna revija - broj 54 - engleski - niska rezolucija

Traces. After many visits to foreign lands
and long journeys, is it, after all, just an illusion?
Yes and no. Living is easier in systems of
formally based and respected civil liberties
than under authoritarian and dictatorial
regimes, although an easier position does
not necessarily mean it is essentially better.
Yes, it is more comfortable in the West,
since we don’t have to think about certain
things, but in the state of non-thinking, we
are more susceptible to swallowing various
tricks. Tyranny initiates clearer and more
courageous thinking, while formalistic liberties
make people grow lazy: brainwashing
mechanisms are perfect and economic
compulsion has the last word. At the time of
the personality cult supremacy, we overestimated
the advantages of western democracy,
but they, with a grain of salt, do exist.
Until recently, the West has maintained its
health with the support of self-criticism;
such awareness is declining nowadays, and
that is not good.
In Rabbit Traces, combining documentary
material with your own observations, you
perfectly told the story about the Rabbit-
Human or about Rabbit and Human, universal
both on personal and collective level.
(We know, it’s no use. Still, it’s better to run
than to be still, more interesting and more
exciting.) What are we supposed to do in
this moment, in such a world: be a Rabbit
or be a Human?
The two-legged creatures are weak,
frightened individuals; identifying them
with rabbits comes naturally. However, a
clear awareness of the sources of fear partially
liberates us from anxiety. Diving into
fear is a form of courage, while avoiding
confronting it is, certainly, related to cowardice.
I am not a brave man by nature, but I
was bold in some situations, thanks to fearless
thinking.
IN HIS OWN DEFENSE
From your books we see that the society
and state is one thing, while the world and
life are something completely different.
How can an ordinary human find a measure?
It seems simple to me. If you’re not fighting
for power, for excessive wealth, for social
importance, you are on a way of conquering
peace of soul, so the state also, to a certain
extent, leaves you alone. It is important that
everyone draws a line between oneself and
them. Under the communist regime, apart
from a few unpleasant situations, I was generally
fine, exactly because I did not thrive
for power. Those in power unmistakably feel
it and leave alone those who don’t wish to
replace them. However, I was privileged, due
to the nature of my job: by waiving wealth
and power, I was able to live decently. It’s
much more difficult for those whose bare
existence depends on the mood of those in
power. They have nothing to waive.
“The soil is condemned to waiting and
faithfulness.” The homeland is a grain of
salt in each of the rows you have written.
Both a gift and a suffering. Many writers
stay away from it. Would you write following
the same traces again?
The choice happened independent from
my will. I was born in the heart of a peasant
land, I observed the downfall of the rural
civilization from my early age and overcame
that process. The soil has nowhere to
go from itself, nor do I from it. Even here,
where I have been living for years, it is constantly
within me. I feel it, alive, both when
I love it and when I don’t. It gave me, it will
take me back. It’s not a matter of choice, it
is destiny.
You have evaluated a turbulent century
through your pen, left traces deep and recognizable,
observed the world from different
geographical points. Are there any
answers or just repeated questions: about
meaning, history, about God and the universe,
about the individual and nation...?
I don’t have an undisputed answer to
any vitally important question. Even I don’t
strictly adhere to the conclusions I have
reached, so how can I recommend them to
others? I attempted to express, sincerely and
convincingly, what had been bothering and
torturing me. I hope that, at the final judgment,
my openness and intellectual honesty
will be taken into consideration. That is all I
can say in my defense.
Destiny
At the signing of
the book “Trouble
with Words”
Photo:
Guest’s Archive
– Whether I wanted it or not, I shared the destiny of my compatriots,
whenever and wherever they lived. Unlike romanticist
patriotism, I am not thrilled by my connections and belonging,
but I also don’t deny them. In situations of crises, when the community
is in danger, I am ready for more active forms of solidarity.
SERBIA • N O 54 • 2016
79