Yugoslav science fiction comprises literary works, films, comic books and other works of art in the science fiction genre created inYugoslavia during the country's existence (1918–1991).
The origins of Yugoslav science fiction literature date to mid-19th century, toutopian anddystopian works of authors who wrote inSlovene language, most notablySimon Jenko,Josip Stritar,Anton Mahnič andJanez Trdina.[1] By the end of the century, first science fiction works inSerbo-Croatian appeared, authored bySerbian writersDragutin Ilić andLazar Komarčić. The period from theformation of Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1918 untilWorld War IIAxis occupation of the country in 1941 was marked by several prominent authors, likeVladimir Bartol, Aldion Degal, Damir Feigel andMilutin Milanković, the latter, a renowned scientist, authoringThrough Distant Worlds and Times, which combinedautobiography, scientificessay and science fiction. During the era, science fiction elements also appeared in the works of non-genre authors, likesurrealistsStanislav Vinaver andRastko Petrović.
Serbo-Croatian and Slovene science fiction literature re-emerged inSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in early 1950s, followed by the appearance of first science fiction works inMacedonian language. In the early years of socialist Yugoslavia perceived mostly aschildren's andyoung adult literature, 1950s and early 1960s Yugoslav science fiction brought a large number of works dedicated to these age categories. However, by mid-1960s works of a new generation of authors, likeVid Pečjak and the literary duo Zvonimir Furtinger and Mladen Blažić, started to enjoy popularity among wide audience. Late 1960s brought the appearance of the country's firstscience fiction magazines, and in the 1970s a number ofpublishing houses launched series of science fiction novels. The 1980s brough a renaissance of Yugoslav science fiction literature, with notable authors like Dušan Belča, Slobodan Ćurčić,Hrvoje Hitrec,Miha Remec,Samo Kuščer and Vlado Urošević, and with academically acclaimed authors like Branko Belan,Ivan Ivanji, Zvonimir Kostić, and–most prominently–Borislav Pekić (in his works likeRabies,Atlantis and1999) venturing into science fiction genre.
Yugoslav cinema featured a number of science fiction titles, most notablyVeljko Bulajić'sAtomic War Bride,Krsto Papić'sThe Rat Savior andDušan Vukotić'sVisitors from the Galaxy. Yugoslavscience fiction comics emerged in the 1930s, with the works ofĐorđe Lobačev andAndrija Maurović, which could be considered pioneering works ofEuropean science fiction comics. Re-emerging in early 1950s, the Yugoslav comics scene saw its renaissance in the 1980s, with authors likeZoran Janjetov,Igor Kordej andŽeljko Pahek achieving international recognition. Science fiction also influenced works by a number of Yugoslavvisual artists andpopular music acts.
Science fiction enjoyed large popularity in socialist Yugoslavia, with first societies ofscience fiction fans appearing in mid-1970s. By the late 1980s, a number of science fiction fan societies were active in the country, most of them publishing their ownfanzines.
The pioneers of theSerbo-Croatian science fiction wereSerbian writerDragutin Ilić andLazar Komarčić.[2] Dragutin Ilić's playPosle milion godina (After Million Years), published in 1889, is considered the first science fiction work written in Serbo-Croatian, being also one of the first plays in the complete history of science fiction literature.[2] Komarčić published the first science fiction novel in Serbo-Croatian,Jedna ugašena zvezda (One Extinguished Star), in 1903.[2]
Only a small number of notable science fiction works and works with science fiction elements were published in the years prior to and the years followingWorld War I: Fran Galović'sZačarano ogledalo (Magical Mirror, 1913),Marija Jurić Zagorka'sCrveni ocean (Red Ocean, 1918), Dragutin Ilić'sSekund večnosti (A Second of Eternity, 1921), Josip Kulundžić'sLunar (1922), Milan Šuflaj'sNa Pacifiku 2255 (In the Pacific 2255, 1924).[2]
The late 1920s and the early 1930s brought the appearance of three science fiction works that are viewed as milestones in the history of Yugoslav science fiction literature. In 1928, scientistMilutin Milanković wrote the bookThrough Distant Worlds and Times, which combined elements ofautobiography, scientificessay and science fiction.[2] In 1932, Mate Hanžeković publishedGospodin čovjek (Mr Man), the firstutopian novel in the history of literature in Serbo-Croatian.[3] Finally, in 1933, Stojan Radonić'sŽivot u vasioni (Life in the Universe) was published, the novel dealing with the rise, the development and the downfall of aMartian civilization.[3]
The late 1930s brought a number ofserialized novels, published mostly inZagreb magazines. One of the most notable authors of this period was Aldion Degal, who published the novelsAtomska raketa (Atomic Rocket, 1930),Zrake smrti (Death Rays, 1932) andSmaragdni Skarabej (TheEmeraldScarab, 1934), the first one dealing with the theme offirst contact, and the latter two introducing themotif ofdeath rays to Yugoslav science fiction.[3] However, most of the authors of these serialized novels usedpen names or left their work unsigned.[3] Many of these novels lacked originality and were heavily influenced by science fiction works of foreign authors; for instance, the novelLeteća lađa (The Flying Ship) was a literaryparaphrase ofJules Verne'sMaster of the World, and the novelPut na mars (Voyage to Mars) paraphrasedAleksey Tolstoy'sAelita.[3] Writer and science fiction historianZoran Živković described Mladen Horvat'sMuri Massanga, dealing withtelepathy, as the best Yugoslav science fiction work from this period.[3] The last two novels published in series before theAxis occupation of Yugoslavia wereCrveni duh (The Red Ghost) andMajstor Omega (Master Omega), written by Stanko Radovanović and Zvonimir Furtinger (the latter would become one of Yugoslavia's most notable post-World War II science fiction authors), signed under the pen name Stan Rager.[3]
Prior to World War II, there were several notable works with science fiction elements written by acclaimed and essentially non-genre writers. These include stories "Posle sto godina" ("After Hundred Years", 1911) byStojan Novaković, "Zbilo se čudo u gradu" ("A Miracle Happened in the City", 1930) bySlavko Batušić and "San doktora Prospera Lupusa" ("The Dream of Doctor Prosper Lupus", 1930) byAugust Cesarec.[3] In 1921, poet and translatorStanislav Vinaver published hissurrealist story collectionGromobran svemira (Lightning Rod of the Universe), with the title story and the story "Osveta" ("Revenge") featuring elements of science fiction.[2] Certain elements of science fiction could be found in the novelBurleska gospodina Peruna boga groma (ABurlesque of LordPerun, God of Thunder), written by another surrealist writer,Rastko Petrović, and published during the same year.[2]
In the years following World War II, the newcommunist authorities proclaimedsocialist realism the desired form of art. However, after the 1948Yugoslav–Soviet split, Yugoslavia became more open to otherart movements and toWesternpopular culture. As a result, at the beginning of the 1950s appeared a large number of science fiction translations and a new generation of Yugoslav science fiction emerged.Sneg i led (Snow and Ice, 1951) by academically acclaimed writerErih Koš is considered the first Yugoslav post-World War II science fiction novel.[3]
However, during this period science fiction was mostly perceived aschildren's andyoung adult literature, so the largest part of science fiction works from these years was intended for these age categories. The most notable children's and young adult science fiction works from this period includeČedo Vuković'sSvemoguće oko (The Almighty Eye, 1953),Voja Carić'sAparat profesora Kosa (The Device of Professor Kos, 1958), Predrag Jirsak'sMjesečeva djeca (Children of the Moon, 1959) and Zvonko Veljačić'sDječak Dub putuje svemirom (Boy Dub Travels through Universe, 1959).[4] Children's and young adult science fiction will remain popular in Yugoslavia until the 1980s.[5]
The novelOsvajač 2 se ne javlja (No Reports from Conqueror 2), written by Zvonimir Furtinger and Mladen Blažić, published in 1959, marked the beginning of a new era, with works dedicated to the adult audience gaining in popularity.[5] The following year Furtinger and Blažić would publish three novels:Svemirska nevjesta (Space Bride),Varamunga, tajanstveni grad (Varamunga, the Mysterious City) andZagonetni stroj profesora Kružića (The Mysterious Machine of Professor Kružić), becoming the first Serbo-Croatian authors devoted primarily to science fiction.[5] Besides the duo, the 1960s brought several more science fiction authors, the most notable being Ritig Angelo, with his novelsSasvim neobično buđenje (Quite Unusual Awakening, 1961) andLjubav u neboderu (Love in the Skyscraper, 1965).[5] Other notable authors from this period include Milan Nikolić, Silvio Ružić, Vladimir Imperl, Slobodan Petković, Franjo Ivanušec and Danilo Alargić.[5] Another notable work from the 1960s was thedystopian novelBajka (Fairytale, 1965), written by politician and academically acclaimed writerDobrica Ćosić, being his only work to venture into science fiction.[6]
In the 1960s, Aleksandar Radenković, who wrote under the pen name Al Radek and had success with hisdetective novels, published two science fiction works:Čovek iz žute kuće (A Man from the Yellow House, 1960) iDruga smrt doktora Langa (Dr Lang's Second Death, 1960).[5] The decade also brought new works intended for children and young adults, the most notable being Čedo Vuković'sLetilica profesora Bistrouma (Professor Brightmind's Aircraft, 1961) iHalo nebo (Hello, Sky, 1963), Zvonko Veljačić'sDječak Dub u svijetu čudovišta (Boy Dub in the World of Monsters, 1961), Milivoj Matušec'sSuvišan u svemiru (Redundant in Space, 1961) and Berislav Kosier'sBrik i kompanija (Brik and the Company, 1967).[5]
During the 1960s, several publishing houses started publishing editions of science fiction works. In 1967, the publishing house Jugoslavija started itsKentaur (Centaur) series, which would, during the following decades, publish the most prominent science fiction novels in Serbo-Croatian.[5] During the decade, a number of newspapers and magazines (likeVečernje novosti andPolitikin Zabavnik) started to publish science fiction stories regularly or periodically, and at the end of the decade, in 1969, the first science fiction magazine was started,Kosmoplov (Spacecraft), the publication of which, however, ended already in 1970.[5]
The 1970s brought the appearance of three notable publications, all three debuting in 1976. The magazine for popularization of scienceGalaksija (Galaxy)—which, since its founding in 1972, regularly published science fiction stories–started theannualAndromeda, which organized the first Yugoslav competition for the best science fiction story, but also published a number of essays on Yugoslavgenre fiction.Vjesnik newspaper started theSirius magazine, which would offer an opportunity to Yugoslav science fiction authors to publish their work. Finally, theKentaur series, ended in 1968, was revived. During the following years, the most important works of world science fiction would be published in the series.[7] The end of the decade also featured the short-lived book seriesSF tom (SF Volume), published byDečje novine.[8] The 1970s also brought the appearance of firstself-published science fiction works, with the story collectionPriče stvarnosti i mašte (Tales of Reality and Imagination) by Dragan Hajduković, published in 1970, being the first Yugoslav self-published science fiction book.[8]
During the decade, a large number of translated works was published in contrast to a much smaller number of works by Yugoslav authors.[8] Most notable works from this period include the novelBeli potop (White Flood, 1975) by Berislav Kosier and the story collectionZemlja je u kvaru (The Earth is Malfunctioning, 1977) by Dušica Lukić.[8]Terasa XI (Terrace XI, 1972) was the first post-World War II Yugoslav science fiction work written by a female author, Marija-Vera Mrak.[8] The beginning of the 1970s brought the last book written by the Furtinger-Bjažić duo,Ništa bez Božene (It's All Useless without Božena, 1970), while the end of the decade brought Predrag Raos' novelBrodolom kod Thule (A Shipwreck at Thula, 1979), which announced the 1980s renaissance of Serbo-Croatian science fiction.[8]
At the beginning of the 1980sKentaur andSirius were joined byZvezdane staze (Star Trek) series, published by Narodna knjiga,X-100 SF series, published byDnevnik, andDžepna knjiga (Paperback), published byDečje novine.[8] However, more notable than the mentioned series, all published by state-owned publishing houses, were book series published by small, private publishers.[8]Zoran Živković and Žika Bogadnović startedPolaris book series, which published contemporary international science fiction, with some works, likeArthur Clarke's2010: Odyssey Two and2061: Odyssey Three having their world premiere in the series.[8]Znak Sagite (Sign ofSagitta), started by Boban Knežević, andZoroaster, started by Branislav Brkić, also published contemporary and classic works of world science fiction.[8] Knežević also started the annualMonolit (Monolith).[8] Another notable annual wasAlef (Aleph), which was, however, published irregularly.[8]
During the 1980s, Yugoslav science fiction scene averagely brought twenty-five new titles by Yugoslav authors per year.[8] About one third of science fiction titles in this period, both Yugoslav and translated, were published as a part of Dnevnik'sX-100 SF series.[8] However, a large part of it waspulp science fiction written by Yugoslav writers under foreign pen names.[9] Most notable of these authors were Dušan Belča, writing under the pen name Bell Ch. A, and Slobodan Ćurčić, writing under the pen name S. Tyrkley. Belča wrote ten books, mostlyspace operas, while Ćurčić wrote six, some of them, like the story collectionŠuma, kiše, grad i zvezde (Forest, Rains, City and Stars) reaching higher artistic value.[10] Other authors who published their books as a part ofX-100 SF series were Ljubiša Jovanović (under the pen name M. L. Arnaud), Boban Knežević (under the pen name Andrew Osborne), Radmilo Anđelković (under the pen name R. Angelakis), Ratislav Durman (under the pen name D. T. Bird), Slobodan Marković (under the pen name Liberty Borom), Vladimir Lazović (under the pen name Valdemar Lazy), Stevan Babić (under the pen name Steve McClain) and Zoran Jakšić (under the pen name David J. Storm).[10] Three more authors from the 1980s published their books under pen names: Dejan Đorđević (as Dave George), Milan Drašković (as Mike Draskov) and Brana Nikolić (as Derek Finnegan). While Đorđević and Drašković remained within the boundaries of space opera, Nikolić wrote several dozenpulp novels in theNinja series, published by Dečje novine, some of the stories featuring elements of science fiction.[10] These novels would later in the decade inspire theNinja comic book, published by Dečje novine.
The 1980s, however, also brought many authors which did not use pen names and wrote with artistic aspirations. The most notable of them include Dragan Biskupović, his most prominent work beingAteisti grade crkvu (Atheists Are Building a Church), Dragan Filipović, his most prominent work beingOreska,Hrvoje Hitrec, his most prominent work beingUr, Nikola Panić, his most prominent work beingRegata Plerus (Regatta Plerus), Đorđe Pisarev, his most prominent work beingKnjiga naroda lutaka (The Book of the Puppet People), Predrag Raos, his most prominent work beingMnogo vike nizašto (Much Ado About Nothing) and Damir Mikulić, his most prominent work beingO.[10] Other notable authors of the decade include Joža Horvat, Ljubomir Prelić, Majo Topolovac, Predrag Urošević, Ante Škobalj, Dejan Đorđević, Zlatko Krilić, Radomir Vuga, Neven Orhel, Aleksandar Manić, Ariel Šimek, Radovan Ždrale and Dragan Orlović.[10] The 1980s brought the first science fiction anthology consisting entirely of the stories by Yugoslav authors, entitledTamni vilajet (The DarkVilayet).[10]
In the 1980s, academically acclaimed Yugoslav writers started to show interest for science fiction and to incorporate science fiction elements into their work.Borislav Pekić, one of the most prominent Serbian writers of the 20th century, wrote several science fiction works:Rabies,Atlantida (Atlantis) and1999.[10] The theme of dystopia prevails in the works of Yugoslav 1980s science fiction writers, with the most notable dystopian novels written by authors which generally did not write genre fiction:Utov dnevnik (Uto's Diary) by writer, film director,theorist andcritic Branko Belan,Trojanski konj (Trojan Horse) andEpitaf carskog gurmana (Epitaph of the ImperialGourmet) by writer andgastronomy expert Veljko Barbieri,Na kraju ostaje reč (The Word Is All that Is Left) by writer, translator and diplomatIvan Ivanji,Donji svetovi (Lower Worlds) by writer, painter and sculptor Zvonimir Kostić andAtomokalipsa (Atomocalypse) by writer, diplomat,lieutenant general of theYugoslav People's Army and bearer of theOrder of the People's Hero Aleksandar Vojinović.[10] During this decade science fiction genre started to gain academical recognition, with the appearance of numerous theoretical texts and firstdissertations about science fiction.[10]
Although less popular than during the previous decades, children's and young adult science fiction was during the 1980s still present on the Serbo-Croatian literary scene. Most notable authors include Dušica Lukić, Marija-Vera Mrak, Ivan Godina and Anto Gradaš. Gradaš published the popular trilogy about professor Leopold and his son, consisting of booksLjubičasti planet (The Purple Planet),Bakreni Petar (Copper Peter) andIzum profesora Leopolda (The Invention of Professor Leopold).[10]
Simon Jenko's story "Mikromega" ("Micromega"), published in 1851, is considered the first science fiction work inSlovene language.Mikromega was a literary paraphrase ofVoltaire'snovella of the same title.[1] Certain utopian elements in the story would in the second part of the 19th century inspire a number of works by Slovene authors.[1] The first Slovene science fiction novel was Andrej Volkar'sDijak v Lunihe (Student on the Moon), published in 1871. Heroes of the novel travel to the Moon viaballoon, where they find anarcadian utopia.[1] Another utopian novel wasJosip Stritar's novelDeveta dežela (The Ninth State), published in 1878.[1] In 1884,Anton Mahnič published the dystopian response toDeveta dežela entitledIndija Komandija (Command India), which would itself be a subject of parody inIvan Tavčar's 1891satirical work4000.[1] In 1888,Janez Trdina publishedRazodetje (Revelation), featuring a utopian vision ofSlovenia in 2175.[1] Another notable work from this period was Ivan Toporiš'sArheološko predavanje leta 5000 (Archaeological Lecture from the Year 5000).[1]
In 1893, three notable works were published. The first was Simon Šubic'sPogubni malik sveta (The Harmful Idol of the World). The title refers to money, which is absent from utopian society on Mars, where the story is set.[1] The second wasAbadon by Janez Mencinger, the most notable dystopian novel in the history of Slovene literature, dealing with the dark future caused by technological revolution.[1] The third one was Josip Jaklič'sPantheon, a story of travel to utopian societies on Mars andMercury.[1]
After the era of utopian and dystopian works, came a new era, during which fiction with the elements ofpopular science prevailed.[1] It was an announced byEtbin Kristan's 1914 workPertinčarjevo pomlajevanje (Pertničar's Rejuvenation), dealing with unsuccessful attempts in creating the new race of men.[1] During the mid 1930sVladimir Bartol published a number of stories dealing with the imperfections of man.[11] Similar motif appears inAnton Novačan's playNadčlovek (Superhuman, 1939), in which men evolve into superhumans, before devolving into apes.[1] As a contrast to the works which express doubt in progress based on scientific discoveries, appearedVernesque works glorifying scientific progress.[12] The most notable representative of this stream was Damir Feigel, whose science fictionadventure novelsPasja dlaka! (Hair of the Dog!, 1926),Na skrivnostnih tleh (On the Mysterious Ground, 1929),Čudežno oko (The Miraculous Eye, 1930),Okoli sveta/8 (Around the World/8, 1935) andSupervitalin (1938) offer optimistic visions of the future.[12] Pavel Brežnik wrote in similar fashion, his most notable works beingTemna zvezda (The Dark Star, 1935) andMarsovske skrivnosti (Secrets of Mars, 1935), and the duo of Metod Jenko and Simon Hasl, their most notable work beingIzum (The Invention, 1938).[12]
Although less frequent that in the years prior to World War I, the dystopian motifs were still present in Slovene science fiction. They appear in Ivo Šorli'sV deželi Čirimurcev (In the Land of Chirimurs, 1929), which introduced the motif ofparallel worlds into Yugoslav science fiction.[12] The similar motif appears in Radivoj Rehar's science fictionfairy talePotovanje po zvezdi Večernici (Travel across theEvening Star, 1931).[12]
In the years following World War II, Slovene sceince fiction authors aspired to write in accordance with contemporary trends in international science fiction.[12] The theme ofextraterrestrial life is one of the predominant themes in the 1950s. The first Slovene science fiction work dealing with the subject wasMatej Bor's 1955 novelVesolje v akvariju (Universe in Aquarium). In the work aliens were described asanthropomorphic beings, but more perfect than humans.[12] Another notable work featuring the motif of anthropomorphic aliens was Branimir Žganjer'sNatančno tri dni zamude (Exactly Three Days of Delay).[12] The theatre playPregnani iz raja (Outlawed from Heaven, 1970) by Franc Puncer and Jure Kislinger was the first to abandon the idea of aliens' anthropomorphic form.[12]
First Slovene authors devoted entirely to science fiction appeared in the 1960s. The most prominent among them was writer andpsychologistVid Pečjak. His most notable science fiction works includeDrejček in trije Marsovčki (Drejchek and Three Little Martians, 1961), dedicated to young adult audience,Pobegli robot (Runaway Robot, 1967),Adam in Eva na planetu starcev (Adam and Eve on the Planet of Old Men, 1972),Roboti so med nami (The Robots Are among Us, 1974),Kam je izginila Ema Lauš (Where Did Ema Lauš Disappear, 1980) andTretje življenje (Third Life, 1980), which he wrote together with Boris Grabnar.[13] Another notable author from the 1960s wasLeopold Suhodolčan, with his novelTrije v raketi (Three People in the Rocket, 1961); Suhodolčan would return to science fiction a decade and a half later, withStopinje po zraku (Feet in the Air, 1977).[14]
The 1970s brought the emergence of many young authors. Most of these authors created works which were modern in both style and subjects, inspired both by Slovene science fiction tradition and modern tendencies in international science fiction.[14] Most notable authors from this period include Franjo Puncer,Gregor Strniša,Branko Gradišnik, Boris Grabnar,Miha Remec, Milica Kitek, Marjan Tomšič, Tomaž Kralj,Boris Novak, Ivan Sivec and Boris Čevin.[14] Miha Remec would become the most notable Slovene science fiction author in Yugoslavia with his worksPrepoznavanje (Recognition, 1977),Iksion (1981),Mana (1985),Lovec (Hunter, 1987) andNečista hči (Unclean Daughter, 1987).[14]
Just as science fiction in Serbo-Croatian, the Slovene science fiction experienced renaissance in the 1980s. The influx of new authors was announced in the late 1970s, whenLjubljana magazineNedeljski dnevnik started publishing science fiction stories by Slovene authors, printing more than 180 stories by December 1981.[14] One of the most published and most prominent among these authors wasSamo Kuščer. His stories were collected in the bookSabi (1983), which would mark the beginning of his writing career.[14] Besides Kuščer, other notable authors from the 1980s include Brane Dolinar,Miloš Mikeln, Bojan Meserko, Milan Rotner and Veseljko Simonovič.[14] Besides authors, the 1980s brought the new generation of science fiction critics and first theorists of the genre, the most notable ones being Drago Bajt, Jože Dolničar and Žiga Leskovček.[14]
Due to unfavorable circumstances in which modernMacedonian literature developed, the firstMacedonian language translations of science fiction novels and the first works of Macedonian science fiction authors appeared in the 1950s, much later than the ones in Serbo-Croatian and Slovene. The first science fiction work by a Macedonian author was the 1959 children's novelГолемата авантура (The Great Adventure) by Lazо Naumovski.[15] In the following years, writers Peni Trpkovski, Tome Arsovski and Ljiljana Beleva would write in similar fashion.[15]
The first Macedonian science fiction novel for adult audience wasВраќање од пеколот (Return from Hell) by Ljubomir Donski, published in 1966, a story about amad scientist set in atotalitarian dystopia.[15] The beginning of the 1970s brought notable novelДалечно патување (The Long Journey, 1972) by Peni Trpkovski. The novel featured the motif of extraterrestrial origin of humans.[15] In the late 1970s emerged Stojmir Simjanoski, the first Macedonian writer to devote himself primarily to science fiction genre. His first novel was the dystopiaАцела (Acella, 1977). Simjanoski published two more novels with similar themes,Двојната Ева (The DoubleEve, 1980) andЌерката на ѕвездите (Daughter of Stars, 1981).[15] The mid 1970s brought the first science fiction book series in Macedonia,Univerzum (Universe), published by Makedonska kniga.[16]
The most notable Macedonian author of science fiction during the 1970s and the 1980s was writer, essayist,literary andart critic Vlado Urošević, whose story collectionsНоќниот пајтон (The Night Carriage, 1972) andЛов на еднорози (Unicorn Hunt, 1983), although predominantly fantasy-oriented, feature a number of science fiction stories.[17] Urošević also wrote a notable collection of essays on science fiction entitledПодземна палата (Underground Palace, 1987) and themonographДемони и галаксии (Demons and Galaxies, 1988).[16]
Other notable Macedonian science fiction authors from the 1980s include Blagoja Jankovski, Vladimir Simonovski and Ljubomir Mihajlovski.[16] Another notable monograph from the 1980s wasФилозофија на иконоклазмот (Philosophy ofIconoclasm, 1983) byFerid Muhić, the first Yugoslav to write adissertation on science fiction.[16]
One of the first Yugoslav films with science fiction elements wasVeljko Bulajić'sAtomic War Bride (1960), dealing with the theme ofnuclear war.[18] In 1970,Matjaž Klopčič directed the science fictiondramaOxygen.[14] Thescience fiction horror filmThe Rat Savior (1977) byKrsto Papić won the first prize at the International Science Fiction Film Festival inTrieste and Grand Prize at theFantasporto film festival.[8]
Dušan Vukotić's 1981science fiction comedy filmVisitors from the Galaxy won a number of awards at international film festivals, including the Best Screenplay Award at the International Science Fiction Film Festival in Trieste, the Jury Award at Imagfic festival inMadrid, and the Best Director Award at theBrussels International Fantastic Film Festival.[19] Other notable films from the 1980s were science fiction dramaButnskala (Rebelscale, 1985) byFranci Slak and the science fiction comedy/adventure filmMaja and the Starboy (1988) by Jane Kavčič.[14]
The first Yugoslavscience fiction comic wasGost iz svemira (A Guest from Space), published in 1935 in the Zagreb magazineOko. The authors of the comic were Božidar Rašić (signed as Apić) and Leontije Bjelski (signed as Tomas).[3] Three more titles debuted in 1935:Zrak smrti (Death Ray) byĐorđe Lobačev andLjubavnica s marsa (Lover from Mars) andPodzemna carica (Empress of the Underground) byAndrija Maurović.[20] Published soon after the first appearances ofBrick Bradford (1933) andFlash Gordon (1934) comics and two years before the first French and Italian science fiction comics, these titles could be considered pioneer works of European science fiction comics.[20] Prior to Axis occupation of Yugoslavia, about ten more titles were published, mostly adaptations ofJules Verne's andH. G. Wells' works. The most notable authors from this period, besides Lobačev and Maurović, include Aleksije Ranhner and Sebastijan Lehner.[20]
Yugoslav science fiction comics were revived in 1951 by Zlatko Šešelj.[20] However, until the beginning of the 1980s, only about twenty new titles per decade would be published.[20] The most notable authors from the 1950s were brothers Norbert andValter Nojgebauer, considered the founders of modern science fiction comics in Yugoslavia.[20] Other notable authors from the decade include duos Milorad Dobrić — Milan Kovačević and Aleksandar Hercl – Dragoljub Jovanović.[21] In 1958 debutedSvemirko (Spaceman) comic, created by Vladimir Delač and Nenad Briksi, which would continue to be published for a whole decade, ending in 1968.[21] Valter Nojgebauer and Aleksandar Hercl would continue their work through the 1960s, but the most notable author from this decade would be Božidar Veselinović.[21]
The first half of the 1970s brought a very small number of titles, but the end of the decade announced the era of new authors, whose work would, during the 1980s, make Yugoslav science fiction comics relevant on the European scene. The leading authors of this decade include Dragan Bosnić, Radovan Devlić, Branislav Hecel,Zoran Janjetov,Igor Kordej, Dejan Nenadov,Željko Pahek, Dušan Reljić, Dragan Savić, Vladimir Vesović and Krešimir Zimonjić. Works by a number of these artists were published abroad.[21]
Slovene painters Marjan Remec, Jože Spacal, Samo Kovač and Darko Slavec and Macedonian painters Vasko Taškovski, Kiril Efremov and Vangel Naumovski created a number of works inspired by science fiction.[14][16]
Science fiction influenced works by numerouspopular music artists. Works by composer and pioneer of Yugoslavelectronic musicMiha Kralj were heavily influenced by science fiction.[22] In 1985, screenwriter Dragan Galović and director Dinko Tucaković filmed the science fictionTV filmDenis & Denis forRadio Television of Belgrade. The film featured music of thesynth-pop duoDenis & Denis and starred Denis & Denis members Edi Kraljić andMarina Perazić.[23]
The first Yugoslav society ofscience fiction fans, Sfera (Sphere), was formed in Zagreb in 1976. During the 1980s, more societies were formed, most notable ones being Lazar Komarčić Society fromBelgrade, Nova fromLjubljana, Pulsar fromSkopje, Lira (Lyre) fromNiš and Meteor fromSubotica. The societies organizedscience fiction conventions, lectures, exhibitions andfilm screenings,[24] with Sfera organizing several international conventions.[8] The largest convention in Yugoslavia was Festival SF žanra (SF Festival), held in Belgrade in 1985.[8] There were attempts of uniting these societies into a federal society, but they remained unsuccessful.[25]
Most of the societies mentioned above published theirfanzines. The first Yugoslav science fiction fanzine wasParsek, established by Sfera society in January 1977. Most ofParsek, which was published irregularly, was dedicated to news and reviews of books and films. The fanzine occasionally published theoretical texts.[25] In December 1981, Lazar Komarčić Society established the fanzineEmitor, published on a monthly basis. Besides news, reviews and theoretical texts,Emitor also published stories (mostly by the members of the Lazar Komarčić Society) and comics.[25]Emitor was followed by five more fanzines:Nova, published by the Nova society,Spektar (Spectrum), published by the Belgrade publishing society Kasiopeja,Pulsar, published by the Pulsar society,Meteor, published by the Meteor society, andMisija (Mission), published by theSplit publishing society Branko Belan. Most of the fanzines were short-lived, with the exception ofMisija, which was established in September 1986 and was published regularly on a monthly basis.Misija featured, besides texts in Serbo-Croatian, some texts inHungarian.[26] In 1987, the federal fanzineYusfan was established,[20] but was discontinued with the 1991breakup of Yugoslavia.
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