Cultural Balkanism: Ivo Andric and Niko Kazanzakis Vis-À-Vis with Kadare

Abstract

The analysis of the works of Balkan writers such as Ivo Andric, Niko Kazantzakis, and Ismail Kadare takes on a special significance in terms of assessing cultural Balkanism and its implications. The purpose of this paper is to understand if there is a common theme or shared elements in the literature and the three abovementioned writers of the Balkan countries. The review is based on the qualitative approach of the study, combining analytical method, which is used to collect data from the works of three authors from three different countries of the Balkan Peninsula to better understand the common social, cultural, and literary elements and motives of their work, followed by the comparative method, which is used to further analyze the topic and find counteracts regarding the hypothesis of the existence of the concept of Balkanism in the literature of the different countries of the Penninsula. Each of the authors has created his own reality. The redemption and construction of the ruins are associated with the traditional sacrifice of immurement. The work of Kazantzakis and Andric conveys the fundamental state of pessimism or skepticism towards the new history of mankind. The three authors, share elements in their work, which appears not only as similar literary motifs between them, but also between the Balkan culture from which the authors come from, reflected in modern literature. There is a relationship and interaction between the culture, folklore and mythology of the various countries of the peninsula, thus giving support to the idea of the development of Balkanism.