Epic traditions in Balkan world literature

Long focused primarily on the literature of a few major European powers, comparative studies have increasingly been giving substantial attention to writers in smaller countries and using less widely diffused languages. The rich and varied literatures of the Balkans are ideal candidates for renewed attention, but perhaps because of the number and variety of languages involved, there has been little broadly comparative work on Balkan literature, especially across the region's language families. This essay proposes that we can learn a great deal, even when working mostly in translation, when we open out a wider perspective to explore the literary commonalities and discontinuities that have emerged across the region's languages, countries, religions, and imperial histories. Taking examples from Bosnia's Ivo Andric, Albania's Ismail Kadare, and Romania's Ion Budai-Deleanu and Mircea Cartarescu, I argue that their works interfuse Balkan epic traditions and broader European models to contribute powerfully to what can be called a distinctive Balkan world literature.

Automated summary

Comparative studies have begun to focus more on writers from smaller countries and lesser-known languages. The rich literature of the Balkans is an ideal area for renewed attention, but due to the complex language situation, there has been limited comparative work in this region. However, by exploring the literary commonalities and discontinuities across languages, countries, religions, and imperial histories, even in translation, there is much to learn.