Mitovi XX veka

Myths of the 20th Century (2002) is a collection of essays and theoretical-critical texts by prominent Serbian playwright, literary critic and essayist Svetislav Jovanov. In this book, the author deals with the phenomenon of the origin, duration and deconstruction of key myths that marked the 20th century — a century of incredible technological progress, but also of the most terrible ideological and social ruptures. Jovanov approaches myth not only as an ancient story or fairy tale, but as a living, dynamic and often dangerous social instrument. Through the analysis of literature, theater, film, popular culture and politics, the author reveals how modern myths were shaped in the last century — from ideological matrices (such as totalitarian systems, "new man" and political utopias) to icons of mass culture, media phenomena and technological fascinations. The author with exceptional erudition and a sharp critical perspective shows how the 20th century, although it declared itself as the age of reason and science, actually created its own, extremely powerful mythologies. Written in a lucid, layered and analytical style, the book Myths of the 20th Century provides the reader with an excellent matrix for understanding contemporary culture and media manipulations. The work emphasizes the importance of critical thinking in a world that constantly produces new appearances, making it essential reading for anyone interested in cultural theory, theater studies, and the history of ideas.