Karim Zaimović (6 May 1971 – 13 August 1995) was a Bosnian writer, journalist and publicist, best remembered for his short story collection The Secret of Raspberry Jam.[1] He is considered one of the most talented writers from the wartime ex-Yugoslavian area.
Karim Zaimović | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 May 1971 Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia |
| Died | 13 August 1995 (aged 24) Sarajevo, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Occupation | Writer, Journalist |
| Notable works | The Secret Of Raspberry Jam |
Zaimović died during the Bosnian War as a result of injuries caused by Serbian mortar shells during the Siege of Sarajevo.[2][3]
Biography
editZaimović was born in Sarajevo in 1971, the son of painter Mehmed Zaimović (1938–2011) and his wife Ašida.[4]
A lover of comic books, Zaimović began writing texts about them in his early teens. He started his journalism career at age 15, writing articles for Radio Sarajevo.[5] Zaimović continued to be involved in the Bosnian-Herzegovinian journalism scene, contributing to daily newspapers and magazines like Naši dani, Lica, Vidici, Quorum, Kvadrat, Patak, Slobodna Dalmacija, Nedjeljna Dalmacija, Književna revija, Mladina, Start, Erasmus, Oslobođenje, Večernje novine, Avaz, Ven, Sineast, Fantom slobode, and Dani.[6]
After graduating from high school at Sarajevo's Prva Gimnazija, Zaimović enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo. He later transferred to the University of Philosophy in Sarajevo to study comparative literature.[7]
Before the war, Zaimović worked for the magazine Dani as editor of the paper's culture section. Later, he created the culture magazine Fantom Slobode with Semezdin Mehmedinović, serving as editor in-chief. He was a regular contributor to Zid, an independent radio network, and contributed to Sarajevo-based television programs like TV Sarajevo and TV Radio Sarajevo.[8]
Zaimović wrote many short stories.[9] During the war, he shared his stories on the air on his radio show.[10] One of his notable works, The Secret of Raspberry Jam, was a critically acclaimed collection of 11 short stories, published posthumously in 1997.
The Belgian comic book artist Hermann Huppen dedicated his 1995 book Sarajevo Tango to Zaimović's memory. The American graphic novel author Joe Kubert has also dedicated his Fax from Sarajevo to Karim Zaimović. Zaimović's "The Secret Of Raspberry Jam" has been adapted for theatre.[11]
Zaimovic left behind a manuscript with two unfinished novels.
Works
edit- Tajna džema od malina (1995)
References
edit- ^ "Karim Zaimović danas bi napunio 45 godina". Radio Sarajevo. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "Karim Zaimović, simbol i inspiracija: Zlatni dječak prošlog i budućeg Sarajeva". Faktor. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "Large Mural as a way to thank Karim Zaimovic to be presented". Sarajevo Times. 20 July 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "Karim Zaimović, dječak i strip". Jergovic. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ "Tajna grandioznog talenta". Muharem Bazdulj, Dani. 20 May 2005. Archived from the original on 2013-04-30. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Karim Zaimović (Author)". Goodreads. 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Karim Zaimović (Author)". Goodreads. 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Tajna grandioznog talenta". Muharem Bazdulj, Dani. 20 May 2005. Archived from the original on 2013-04-30. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Karim Zaimović, dječak i strip". Miljenko Jergovic. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ Hicks, Jim (19 October 2016). "Interview with Aleksandar Brezar and Enis Čišić, Part One". The Massachusetts Review. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Theather [sic] Play: The Secret of Raspberry Jam". Sarajevo Times. 26 October 2005. Retrieved 22 September 2020.