around a hundred languages. This poet of the human soul and ex- quisite aficionado of the subtlest of human emotions left an indel- ible mark in his portrayal of his patriarchal surroundings. Among the many who have written about Bora Stanković and his works was diplomat and writer Jovan Dučić. He wrote the following about the most famous native of Vranje: “The literary work of Boris- av Stanković, that’s all one great troubadour book. That’s first and foremost the work of a true poet of love and knight of the heart. None of the characters in his sto- ries of old Vranje is motivated by anything other than the mad- ness of the heart and the stub- born defiance of blood...; Life on- ly exists for Borisav Stanković as long as love exists, and love ex- ists as long youth and passion ex- ist. Nothing lies on the other side of youth. This idea of Stanković’s about life gives his work an em- inently blessed exhilaration and fierceness, but also conviction. His
books thus seem to delve deeper than many others that have been written about the deepest human truths...,” wrote Dučić, among oth- er things. Stanković still doesn’t have his own endowment institution in Vranje, but almost every more important institution in this city bears his name – a library, thea- tre, high school etc. If your travels lead you to the south of Serbia, be sure to visit his museum-house, which is just a stone’s throw from the city centre. Built around 1850, it was turned into a museum in 1967 and opened to the public as a memorial house of this great Ser- bian writer. It is located in Baba Zlatina Street, which was named after Bora’s paternal grandmother. Given the importance, depth and worth of Bora’s works, preserving the house where he was born and spent part of his life provides one of the best ways for Vranje to repay its debt – not only to the writer himself, but also to all those who are compelled to visit the city be- cause of Bora. The Museum-House of Boris- av Stanković represents more than an architectural treasure. With the status of a monument of culture of national importance, it is a ver- itable guardian of a bygone era, with that era’s aromas and imag- es still occupying its courtyard. The yard contains a garden, an old mulberry tree, boxwood shrubs, grape vines, cobblestones and a well, as well as a summer kitch- en. The house museum exhibits items that belonged to the writ- er and his family members, as well as posters, photos of thea- tre performances and editions of his books. There are Grand- ma Zlata’s loom, Bora’s cigarette case, books, a chest for suits and photos. The guest room, which as a rule should be the prettiest room in every house, is arranged according to the description from Bora’s short story Withered Rose. Even Grandma Zlata’s room has been preserved and contains her personal belongings...
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