The Ministry of Foreign Affairs marks the 50th anniversary of Ivo Andrić's passing

14. Mar 2025.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the passing of Serbian Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić, a commemorative gathering was held today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, dedicated to his long-standing diplomatic career.

Addressing the Ministry’s staff and attendees of the Diplomatic Academy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić emphasized that the institution where Andrić served between the two world wars will continue to honor the memory of its distinguished colleague, preserving both his literary and diplomatic legacy.

“Ivo Andrić is an author whose works continue to shape our understanding of the region, interethnic relations, and the mentality of our immediate surroundings. However, through this panel and gathering, we aim to shed light on a lesser-known aspect of Andrić’s life—his diplomatic career—which has been discussed far less than his literary achievements,” Minister Đurić stated.

He highlighted that through his service in numerous diplomatic and consular missions, as well as his work within the Ministry, Andrić left behind a valuable mosaic of insights into the political and social dynamics of his time.

Quoting excerpts from Andrić’s writings, Đurić noted that the Nobel laureate had outlined the profile of an ideal diplomat—describing the necessary knowledge and character traits—effectively portraying his own professional ethics and dedication.

“In the months and years ahead, we will focus on strengthening the Ministry’s personnel, making it one of our strategic priorities. We will also continue the valuable tradition of appointing distinguished figures from literature, arts, and culture to represent Serbia in our diplomatic missions,” Đurić added.

As part of the commemoration, a panel discussion was held, featuring Professor Aleksandar Jerkov from the Faculty of Philology at the University of Belgrade and Dušan Jovanović, curator at the Museum of the City of Belgrade, who discussed Andrić’s literary and diplomatic legacy.

Ivo Andrić served as a diplomat for the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, from 1920 to 1941. During this period, he was posted on diplomatic missions across Europe, concluding his career as Ambassador in Berlin.