Većeslav Holjevac i Nagrada fonda “Božidar Adžija” 1966.
Većeslav Holjevac and the award of the “Božidar Adžija” fund in 1966

Author(s): Iva KRALJEVIĆ BAŠIĆ
Subject(s): Cultural history, Higher Education , History of Education, Post-War period (1950 - 1989)
Published by: Hrvatski institut za povijest
Keywords: Većeslav Holjevac; Praxis; the award of the Socialist Republic of Croatia’s “Božidar Adžija’’ fund;
Summary/Abstract: Awards from the Socialist Republic of Croatia’s “Božidar Adžija” fund for scholarly work were presented to scholars and cultural workers annually on 1 May for achievements in the field of natural, technical and social science. In 1966, out of sixteen nominations, the committee for awarding scholarly or cultural work headed by Većeslav Holjevac recognized six works by seven authors. Awards went to Stilovi i razdoblja, by Aleksandar Flaker and Zdenka Škreba, Stari majstori u Jugoslaviji, by Grga Gamulin, Književni jezik u teoriji i praksi, by Ljudevit Jonke, Filozofija i marksizam, by Gajo Petrović, Procjena rasta fik-snih fondova po jugoslavenskim republikama od 1946-1960, by Ivo Vinski, and Etički problemi u djelu Karla Marxa, by Milan Kangrga. Political forums dee-med the award-winning books Filozofija i marksizam, by Gajo Petrović, and Etički problemi u djelu Karla Marxa, by Milan Kangrga, as controversial. The issue revolved around these authors belonging to Zagreb’s Praxis philosophical circle, which in these years, due to its interpretation of social criticism, was exposed to political censure. Namely, party leaders considered the relationship of “praxists” to the “problem of social criticism destructive.” The award of the prizes was judged to be a camouflaged political action which aimed at rendering worthless the “importance and meaning of the path on which our society was heading.” Due to the award of the controversial prize, and on the basis of general comments made by President Vladimir Bakarić and Vice-President Miloš Žanka of the Sabor [Parliament] of the Social Republic of Croatia [SRH], the deliberations of the representatives, and the judgement of the public, the Sabor of the SRH condemned the committee for awarding scholarly or cultural workers led by V. Holjevac. In contradiction to party pronouncements, Holjevac continued to uphold the selection of the works in question. As a result of this stand the Republican Council of the Sabor proclaimed a lack of confidence in Holjevac and unanimously voted him out of his position of president of the committee as well as off the Executive Council of the Sabor.

• Details
• Contents