Author(s): Michael Schmunk / Language(s): German
Issue: 06/2017
The author gives an introduction to Dževad Karahasan’s opus magnum and leads a conversationwith the renowned writer-philosopher about his new book and the lessons of the Seljuk Empire forcontemporary Bosnia. Bad leadership, state failure, de-individualization, political fundamentalism and terrorism broughtthe long flourishing Seljuk empire in the 11th and 12th century to an end. Karahasan uses a historicculturalmetaphor in his novel “The solace of the night sky” (2016) to describe contemporary Bosnia-Herzegovina, the long-suffering country in the heart of the Balkans. Dževad Karahasan narrates thestory of the famous Seldjuk scientist, philosopher and poet Omar Chayyam. It is also a story of theancient, enriching mingling of cultures of the Orient and the Occident. “Solace of the night sky” ispart Bildungsroman, romance and family saga, as well as a history novel and political parable.This novel takes us on a journey back in time to middle age Persia. But in fact, it confronts the readerwith some terrifying narratives from the failing “Dayton-Bosnia”, as Karahasan sees it, and from themurderous Middle East of our time. The novel offers lessons for a more citizen-oriented democracyand the de-ideologization of “cohabitation” between Orient and Occident. In his interview, Karahasanprovides a deep insight into his novel and his philosophical and political views and visions: “In retrospect,I have realized that ‘Solace of the night sky’ somehowThe author gives an introduction to Dževad Karahasan’s opus magnum and leads a conversationwith the renowned writer-philosopher about his new book and the lessons of the Seljuk Empire forcontemporary Bosnia. Bad leadership, state failure, de-individualization, political fundamentalism and terrorism broughtthe long flourishing Seljuk empire in the 11th and 12th century to an end. Karahasan uses a historicculturalmetaphor in his novel “The solace of the night sky” (2016) to describe contemporary Bosnia-Herzegovina, the long-suffering country in the heart of the Balkans. Dževad Karahasan narrates thestory of the famous Seldjuk scientist, philosopher and poet Omar Chayyam. It is also a story of theancient, enriching mingling of cultures of the Orient and the Occident. “Solace of the night sky” ispart Bildungsroman, romance and family saga, as well as a history novel and political parable. This novel takes us on a journey back in time to middle age Persia. But in fact, it confronts the readerwith some terrifying narratives from the failing “Dayton-Bosnia”, as Karahasan sees it, and from themurderous Middle East of our time. The novel offers lessons for a more citizen-oriented democracyand the de-ideologization of “cohabitation” between Orient and Occident. In his interview, Karahasanprovides a deep insight into his novel and his philosophical and political views and visions: “In retrospect,I have realized that ‘Solace of the night sky’ somehow reflects my personal coming to terms withthe Jugoslav wars and the Bosnian tragedy”.
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