First Serbian Literary Journal: The Slaveno-srpski magazin, edited by Zaharija Orfelin

Abstract

The first Serbian and South Slavic literary journal, Slaveno-srpski magazin , was published in the Republic of Venice in 1768, with the Serbian translation following 250 years later. The paper deals in detail with the first and only volume of this periodical and points to the steps towards determining its editor and compiler, as well as to the European journals of the second half of the 18th century that served as its direct role model. Furthermore, the paper sheds light on the context regarding literary history within which the journal emerges and highlights the spiritual turning point marked by its appearance, with its poetic features and a rich variety of genres it introduces, some mentioned for the first time in the history of the Serbian literature, discussed. In addition, highlighted is the influence of the journal on the generations of writers in Serbian to follow, particularly on the work of Dositej Obradovic, a writer and Enlightener, who paid due respect to his renowned predecessor. Finally, the paper deals with the mainstream perception of the journal in Serbian literary history and marks its high position within its context.