On March 4, playwright, poet, literary historian and actor Mirko Zupančič was born a hundred years ago. On this occasion, the AGRFT paid tribute to the emeritus professor of the University of Ljubljana in the following lines.
Since the founding of the Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL) in 1949, it has been Mirko Zupancic He was a member of his acting ensemble for ten years, and then in 1962 he became a professor of drama history at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television, where he had a significant influence on the development of drama theory and theatrology in Slovenia.
Zupančič was born in Borovnica in 1925. After graduating in comparative literature from the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana in 1957, he received his doctorate in 1969 in Zagreb with a dissertation on pre-romantic elements in Linhart's first works. His academic work has left a strong mark on Slovenian theatre studies and literary historiography.
As a member of the MGL acting ensemble, Zupančič played several important roles, including Klikot in Event in Gogi Slavka Gruma, Dream in Colorful balls Igor Torkar and Trepljev in Utvi Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. With his acting talent and dramatic creations, he contributed to the development of the Slovenian theater scene.
Zupančič's dramatic work is characterized by a focus on intimism, realized in a lyrical-allegorical or realistic form following the Ibsenian model. His most important plays include: Rombino (1960), House on the edge of town (1962), Valley of countless joys (1965), Electra's Revenge (1988) and Witches (1996). His plays remain part of the Slovenian theatre repertoire to this day and are recognized as an important part of Slovenian drama of the 20th century.
His poetic work is characterized by meditative lyricism and emotional commitment, expressed in a direct and reflective manner. He has published his poetry in three poetry collections: Conversations with Candide, Times and When the time comes.
His academic work has strongly marked Slovenian theatre studies and literary historiography, and he has devoted himself to an exceptionally wide range of world drama, from Shakespeare to Linhart and Ibsen and Strindberg to twentieth-century playwrights. His monographs include: The literary work of the young AT Linhart (1972), A look into the drama (1979), The problem of tragedy (1987), Ttheoretical foundations of bourgeois drama in the 18th century: Lillo, Diderot, Lessing (1996).
He received several awards for his work, including the Silver Medal of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia in 1996, and in 1980 he became an honorary professor at the University of Ljubljana. His contribution to Slovenian literature, theatre and academia remains invaluable, and his works continue to appeal to audiences and researchers. On the centenary of his birth, we remember his rich legacy and influence on Slovenian culture and theatre.
Cover photo: Mirko Zupančič / Photo: AGRFT Archive.
