Djela X: Dragi naši savremenici: Polemike, epigrami i satire

The tenth volume of Dear Contemporaries: Polemics, Epigrams and Satires is part of the first edition of the collected works of Antun Gustav Matoš, published in 17 volumes by Binoza between 1935 and 1940. It is also the first systematic attempt to gather and critically organize the entire literary legacy of Matoš and one of the most important editions of Croatian literary heritage of the 20th century.

This tenth volume of Matoš's Works gathers texts in which Antun Gustav Matoš appears as an uncompromising polemicist, satirist and literary critic. The work brings a selection of articles, polemics, short satirical notes and epigrams written as a reaction to the social, cultural and political circumstances of his time.

At the heart of the collection are Matoš's confrontations with literary opponents, public figures and phenomena that he considers a sign of provincialism, superficiality or moral lapse. His criticism is not only directed at individuals but also at broader social patterns, using irony, sarcasm, witty quips and extremely precise language. The epigrams, although short, summarize sharp judgments and demonstrate the author's ability to create a strong satirical effect in a few verses or sentences.

The volume was edited by Julije Benešić, one of the most important Croatian literary historians and translators, while Milan Matoš collected and prepared the writer's legacy, which enabled the systematic preservation and publication of these texts. Thanks to their editorial work, the collection represents a credible and valuable part of the complete edition of Matoš's works.

The book testifies to Matoš's exceptional erudition, independence of thought and high literary criteria. The texts reveal an author who considers literature an important part of national culture and demands responsibility, originality and artistic excellence from writers, critics and intellectuals. In addition to its literary and historical value, the work provides valuable insight into the cultural and social atmosphere of the early 20th century and remains an indispensable example of top-notch Croatian polemical and satirical writing.