Ilinden (Elijah’s Day) in Macedonian Drama Cover Image

Илинден во македонската драма
Ilinden (Elijah’s Day) in Macedonian Drama

Author(s): Jasmina Mojsieva-Gusheva
Subject(s): Studies of Literature, Macedonian Literature, Drama
Published by: Filološki fakultet, Nikšić
Keywords: Elijah’s Day (tragical event in Macedonian history); drama developing process in Macedonia; history and ideology; Vojdan Cernodrinski; Nikola Kirov Majski; Vasil Iljoski; Kole Casule; Petre Bakevski;

Summary/Abstract: This study opens the issue on the development of Macedonian drama through the subject of Ilinden (Elijah’s Day) - one of the most immense tragic events in Macedonian past. Expressing their attitude towards history and ideology, Macedonian drama writers Vojdan Cernodrinski, Nikola Kirov Majski, Vasil Iljoski, Kole Casule, Petre Bakevski and Goran Stefanovski illustrate the drama developing process looking from different perceptions, from modernism to postmodernism. Analysing their dramas in the context of historical knowledge and ideological foundation, we come to evidence that, in some of them, tragic events have been presented on the basis of historical documentation, whereas in others their own perspective of presentation dominates. Occasionally, in order to maintain tragic chaos, the authors idealize historical characters, presenting them as if they are highly moral sinless subjects. On occasion, painfully using symbolism, they uncover dark forces having ruled Macedonian people’s destiny in the very beginning of the 20th century. There are also such dramas applying various post-modern strategies that allude to a wider meaningful context. Different approaches to the ideological and historical subject are connected not only to the author’s imaginative sensibility, but also to the time they appeared in.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 5
  • Page Range: 121-128
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Macedonian