Branislav Nušić | Origin of Street Names

Branislav Nušić (1864 - 1938) was one of the most significant Serbian writers, an unparalleled author of sociological dramas and novels that brilliantly portrayed the flaws of Serbian society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through a comedic approach.

He was born in Belgrade under the name Alkibijad Nuša, as the son of wealthy Vlach merchant Georgios Nuša. The house where he was born is an impressive building that later became the home of the National Bank of Serbia, where it stands to this day.

However, shortly after his birth, his father lost his wealth, and the family moved to Smederevo, where Alkibijad spent his childhood, completed elementary school and the first grades of high school. He then returned to Belgrade, where he finished higher grades of high school, passed the final exam, and changed his name to Branislav Nušić upon reaching adulthood.

Nušić's first writings were created during his school days. He wrote his first, later legendary, comedy "Narodni poslanik" (The Deputy) at the age of 19, but it had to wait for a full 13 years to be published due to its mockery of the political scene in the Principality of Serbia at the time.

Politically aware even at a young age, Nušić's views were initially directed towards openly mocking the regime and the general social order, especially after the disastrous Serbian-Bulgarian war in which he himself participated. Due to his outspoken criticisms of the monarchy, parliament, bureaucracy, corrupt police, and even King Milan Obrenović, delivered with humor, he was sentenced to two years of imprisonment.

In the Ivanjica prison, he "learns his lesson," and his future societal critiques in his works take on a milder and more acceptable tone. They center around subtle mockery of everyday public life in Serbia, infused with healthy humor that was widely embraced and brought him great popularity among theater lovers.

By renouncing overt anti-regime views, Nušić became eligible for bureaucratic and statesmanlike positions. For years, he served as a Serbian consul in Bitola, Skopje, Thessaloniki, and Pristina. He was the director of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad and the National Theatre in Sarajevo. He also worked as a journalist under the pseudonym Ben Akiba.

In 1915, he crossed Albania with the Serbian army and spent the end of the war in France, where a significant part of the Serbian intelligentsia of the time was relocated from Corfu.

In his mature years, Branislav Nušić created his most significant works, including "Sumnjivo lice" (which waited over 30 years to be published), the legendary "Gospođa ministarka" (with Žanka Stokić in the lead role), which marked an era in the National Theatre's work, as well as the comedies "Mister dolar," "Ožalošćena porodica," "Dr," "Put oko sveta," and many others.

His rich literary opus also includes several novels ("Hajduci," "Opštinsko dete"), dramas, and short stories that remain an integral part of school literature in Serbia to this day. One of the most significant works is Nušić's "Autobiografija."

With his works, whose themes are still relevant in today's time, Branislav Nušić, along with Jovan Sterija Popović, is considered one of the greatest Serbian playwrights and classics of Serbian literature.

In honor of the great writer, a large number of streets in cities across Serbia bear the name Branislav Nušić, as well as numerous schools. There is also an acting and literary award named after him. Additionally, a monument to the renowned playwright was erected near Belgrade's Republic Square, across from the National Theatre.