Macedonian writer Venko Andonovski upon true and imaginary artistic values

Abstract

The Macedonian writer Venko Andonovski (1964) in his works of recent decades (novels “The ABC for the Naughty,” “The Navel of the Earth,” “The Navel of the World,” etc.) and essays (“Dostoevsky and McDonald’s”) raises the issues of the axiology of modern literature, the integration of its value meanings into the worldview of contemporaries. The value dominants of fiction and their interpretation in the works of modern authors have become an important problem in the 21st century for Slavic countries, especially acute for authors of “small literatures”. Against the backdrop of major socio-political changes in recent decades, the commercialization of literature has become intensive and has seriously affected Slavic literatures. A modern writer often must choose between genuine creativity (a serious and deep understanding of the fate of his people, important events of our time, improving language and style, etc.) and the commercial success that a bestseller provides. Reflecting on the phenomenon of the bestseller, V. Andonovski sees in it a manifestation of globalization in art and calls it literary fast food. The writer figuratively calls the choice between genuine and imaginary artistic values a choice between Dostoevsky and McDonald’s. In essays and novels, V. Andonovski explores the importance of preserving national tradition and orientation towards the achievements of world literature, containing values of the highest spiritual order.