The Visoko Chronicle

About the performance

The Visoko Chronicle is a historical novel, first published in 1919 in instalments in the literary magazine Ljubljanski zvon, and subsequently in book form in 1921. Considered unfinished due to the author’s death prior to its completion, The Visoko Chronicle ranks as one of the best Slovenian novels of all times. Although it is set in the 17th century, its historical themes – the Thirty Years War, witch hunts and the persecution of Protestants – made it easily accessible for readers after the Great War. Since then every new generation has detected their own issues in the novel. The old-fashioned style of chronicles is characterised by flowery and vibrant language allowing the author’s imagination and emotions to blend with convincing irony and realistic observations of life. In terms of subject matter, Tavčar combined the idea of a fight against bigotry and social backwardness, with patriotism and a love of one’s native soil. His choice of a rural topic is matched by his descriptive skills in presenting the beauty of one’s native land and by manifest anti-German attitude.
How topical is a chronicle of long-gone times when it addresses us a hundred years later – from a theatre stage?

Izidor bore the sins of his father. Izidor lived according to the rules. He worked hard. When he should have resisted, Izidor kept quiet. He was afraid of his father, and he was God-fearing. When Izidor loved, he loved feebly and silently. When he should have shouted, Izidor shied away. Izidor allowed the likelihood of Agata being a witch. For he was hardworking and fearful. Izidor did not live fully. He looked down when he should have looked one in the eye. He looked at the sky, when he should have punched one in the face. Izidor did not live fully.

Jurij shouted. Jurij loved. Jurij jumped to action.

Are we, the Slovenians, the Jurijs or the Izidors?
Are Slovenian women the Margaretas or the Agatas?

Jernej Lorenci

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