A commemoration was held for Veselko Koroman

A commemoration was held for the deceased academician at the Croatian House of Herceg Stjepan Kosača in Mostar. Veselka Koroman, one of the most prominent poets and intellectuals of Croatian literature. The passing of this great man was marked by a commemorative gathering attended by members of the academic community, cultural workers, representatives of public life, as well as family and friends.

President of the Croatian Writers' Association of Herceg-Bosnia Ivan Bakovic He emphasized the significance of Koroman's work for literary scholarship and national identity.

Commitment to truth

"The work of the late Veselko Koroman will long be a subject of interest for literary scholarship, and his place in literature is deservedly highly valued. His open opposition to the phenomena that harmed the Croatian language in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1970s remains a lasting reminder of his courage and dedication to the truth," said Baković.

Baković explained that in 1970, Veselko Koroman published an article in the magazine “Život” in which he was the first to openly speak out about the difficult position of the Croatian language in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shortly thereafter, he wrote the article “U cara Trajana kozje uši”, which was banned because it warned about the poor representation of Croats at almost all levels of the then Bosnian and Herzegovina republic. A year later, in 1971, together with Vitomir Lukić and five other Croatian writers, he signed the article “Kada čemo odgovoriti Grga Gamulinu”, published in four daily newspapers. For this reason, this document became known as the Letter of the Seven, which resonated strongly, pointing out the unfavorable position of the Croatian language, culture and intelligentsia in the SR BiH. According to Koroman, the reaction of the authorities at the time was fierce: “Political thunder was directed at me… I had to pay for my love of truth with the loss of my editorial position, my health and years of suffering”.

The poet who raised his tongue

Head of the Department for Culture, Media and Sports of the Main Council of the HNS BiH Ivan Vukoja he looked back at Koromanov's poetic legacy.

"He was a poet who elevated the Croatian language to the poetic Olympus and made it great. His affiliation with the Croatian language and people was never intrusive, but it was so strong that no amount of blackmail could shake it," Vukoja pointed out.

Academician Miroslav Palameta He pointed out that Koromanov's poetry marked the high achievements of Croatian literature.

"A noble man and a great poet who will not be born for a long time. He left behind a complete and rounded oeuvre in which there are no weak points or setbacks. Koroman's literary mission is primarily poetry, not only because he has persisted in it and identified with it for more than seven decades. Such a statement should immediately be linked to his opinion that there is no more serious spiritual activity than poetry, and in this sense, even objective science, which with its cause-and-effect logic cannot bring us closer to absolute knowledge, is not its equal," said Academician Palameta.

The presenter was Tina Laco, in the artistic part of the program, an actor Robert Pehar he recited Koroman's poems, while he contributed musically Ante SliškovićThe commemoration ended with words of gratitude for the life and work of Veselko Koroman, whose oeuvre will remain a lasting cornerstone of Croatian literary heritage.