On 14th March, the “Petar Mandic” Endowment, in collaboration with the Jovan Tomic City Library, co-hosted the promotion of the latest book by the internationally acclaimed director Emir Kusturica.

Kusturica in Nova Varos in the co-organization of the Endowment

In partnership with Milan Jelic, the director of the Library, and following a suggestion by Father Oliver Subotic, after several participations in promotions with the renowned Kusturica, we conceived the idea to have Emir present pages from his latest book, When Dead Souls March, during the recently concluded Cultural Days in the town under Zlatar.

Branimir Nesic, the Director of the publishing house Catena Mundi, and Emir Kusturica, along with their associates, were hosted by representatives of the Endowment in Nova Varos, led by Nikola Puric, the Chairman of the Board, who was visiting his hometown on this occasion.

The warm meeting and introduction were enhanced by reminiscing about the filming of Kusturica’s movies, where several local actors from Nova Varos, including Vladimir Dulanovic Toki, a member of the library team and an actor in the amateur theatre of Nova Varos, had appeared in minor roles on various occasions.

In a packed library hall, where additional seats were requested for the audience, the evening began with an introductory greeting by Vladimir Dulavonic Toki, officially opening the promotion.

As a representative of the Endowment, Nikola Puric highlighted the philanthropic character of Kusturica's work: “All of Emir’s cinematic achievements, as well as the very original and authentic ethno-settlements, represent an excellent cultural endowment. By entering the literary domain, Kusturica opens new fields where each of his books becomes a form of endowment in miniature through the written word.”

Reflecting on the content, message, and lessons from the book, Purić noted:
“Although seemingly a collection of diverse themes shaped through the essays in this book, they actually speak about the same issue, offering Kusturica's high-level expression and perspective on some phenomena of modern life and the contemporary human environment. Emir essentially writes about freedom or, more precisely, about the control of freedom by those who wield this control over individuals, communities, and even states.
The book touches on the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence, the erasure of culture, the conflict in Ukraine as a war of civilizations, the decline of auteur cinema, and finally, transhumanism as the greatest threat to humanity and the future of civilizations.
Kusturica provides a clear comparison of some major historical events, which, across different historical epochs and using varying concepts, tools, and techniques, have always been managed by a minority of global wealthy elites, rulers, and a few royal families with the same goals and intentions.
The book has a factual character as the author presents a series of indisputable facts documented through the history of events and quotes from the most prominent creators of the new world concept and the great reset.
Emir’s book and his views are not value-neutral; on the contrary. However, even if one does not agree, they must at least be respected, as attentive readers of When Dead Souls March are prompted, awakened, and provoked to think critically about everything surrounding the modern human: how, with what, why, and in what world they live.”

After the promotion, discussions about collaboration, joint projects, and future meetings with Kusturica took place. The team from Catena Mundi, the Jovan Tomic City Library, and representatives of the Endowment spent the remainder of the evening on Zlatar, enjoying drinks and delightful local cuisine, organised by Director Milan Jelic.