Josip Pejaković Passed Away: The Legend of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Culture is Gone!
One of the greatest Bosnian-Herzegovinian writers and actors, Josip Pejaković, passed away at the age of 78. The news of his death was first shared by his son Dejan Pejaković. Numerous cultural figures, including Nihad Kreševljaković and Lana Zablocki, expressed their condolences.
Battle with Illness and an Indomitable Spirit Josip fought a tough battle with health issues over the last decade of his life, undergoing as many as 17 surgeries. In 2017, he was declared terminal by doctors but managed to recover and continue his artistic work.
A Rich Artistic Career Born in Travnik, Josip studied in Sarajevo where he completed drama school. He graduated with the role of Tuzenbah in Chekhov’s “Three Sisters”. He performed over 50 premiere roles at the National Theatre Sarajevo and had significant roles in films such as “Human Factor” and “The House by the Road”.
His repertoire includes monodramas and plays like “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, “The Weeping House”, “The Cherry Orchard”, “The Brothers Karamazov”, “Hamlet in the Village of Mrduša Donja” and many others. He received numerous awards, including the Sixth April Award of the City of Sarajevo and the ZAVNOBiH Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Writer and Drama Director Besides acting, Pejaković wrote several monodramas and film scripts and served as the director of drama at the National Theatre Sarajevo. Before dedicating himself to acting, he was a singer in the Travnik rock band “Veziri”.
Protector of Bosnian Culture In 2022, he published the book “Sevdalinka” and together with Rambo Amadeus submitted a UNESCO nomination to have sevdalinka recognized as intangible world cultural heritage.
In Conclusion Josip Pejaković was not just an actor and writer but a symbol of an era and culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His passing leaves a void that will be hard to fill.
So, dear readers, what is your favorite role of his? Drop a comment, let the conversation roll on!
