DUŠKO TRIFUNOVIĆ - POET WHOSE WORDS LIVED ON

BIJELJINA, SEPTEMBER 12 /SRNA/ – One of the most widely quoted Serbian and Yugoslav poets, Duško Trifunović, was born on Sept. 13, 1933, in Sijekovac, near Brod.

Trifunović published his first book at the age of 25, after moving to Sarajevo.

He created about 20 books of poetry, four novels and several plays, and is credited with helping create Sarajevo's distinctive rock-and-roll scene.

He wrote lyrics for songs performed by some of the most famous singers and rock groups of the former Yugoslavia, including Bijelo Dugme, Indexi, Zdravko Čolić and Arsen Dedić.

He is also remembered as the author of the cult television program "What Do Children Know About Their Homeland", broadcast on Television Sarajevo. After the outbreak of the BiH war in 1992, he fled to Novi Sad, while all his property and unpublished literary manuscripts were destroyed.

Drawing on poems he knew by heart, Trifunović rewrote and published six books. He managed to collect and republish a total of 15 books of poetry and two novels, thereby preserving his literary legacy.

For his work, he received the Branko Award, the April 6 Award of the City of Sarajevo, the Zmajeve dečje igre Award and the Federal Award for Children's Welfare. Other honors for his creative work included the Iskra Culture Award, the Instel Award, the Golden Key and the Mikina Čaša Award in 2005.

Trifunović died on Jan. 28, 2006, in Novi Sad. According to his wishes he was buried in Sremski Karlovci on Jan. 30, 2006.

A monument to Duško Trifunović stands at a scenic overlook in Sremski Karlovci. The bronze sculpture of the poet was created by sculptor Stevan Filipović.