The Passing of the "Šumadijan Homer"
Aranđelovac – The last guardian of Šumadija's ethnological heritage, a poet by birth, ethnologist by calling, and publicist by obligation to his ancestors, Vladeta Kolarević passed into eternity on the first day of the second month this year, in the early morning hours. He departed after a short illness, quietly, just as he lived, and did not realize that he was the greatest among us, that he had indebted us greatly, and preserved much for us. He left unobtrusively, as he lived, leaving behind a model for how heritage should be preserved and how to always be a cultural worker of this region.
TL;DR
- Vladeta Kolarević, a poet and ethnologist, passed away, remembered as a guardian of Šumadija's heritage.
- He dedicated his life to studying and preserving local traditions, customs, dialects, and the history of the region's population.
- Kolarević authored numerous publications, including six poetry collections and several ethnological studies, receiving awards for his contributions.
- He was the founder and editor of the magazine "Zmajevac" and a recipient of the "Juljska nagrada" for literature and ethnology.
- His work is seen as a bridge between the past and present, preserving the "silent history" of the common people.
- The local municipality plans to create a space to house and study Kolarević's legacy, ensuring its accessibility for future generations.
- He maintained a close intellectual kinship with writer Sreten Božić Vongar, who also focused on the fate of the common man and love for their homeland.