| DIWAN 2 |

Instead of Preface

Writing a  preface to the second issue of "Diwan" is a success by itself since publishing activities  is an additional effort for the institution  the work and funding of which do not depend on number of books published. Creation of cultural living along with education is, however, the institutional role of a library. The second issue of "Diwan"  can therefore be called a crown work  of  the Public Institution  Public Library  Gradačac  in the year of 1999.

We are honoured to inform the reading public that  our library  is named after Alija Isaković, a tireless author, whose work by its strength is binding for the editorial board of this almanac. In doing research of the literary circle of Posavina writers the first issue of "Diwan" was thematically related to Ahmed Muradbegović on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The second issue containing four scientific works on Hasan Kikić is devoted to this author  on the occasion of the jubilee of  XX  Kikić's Literary Gatherings in Gradačac in October this year.

Yet, to start with an article " On Domicile Library Funds" from the field of  the library science by Sabina Babajić, head of  the Domicile Collection  Department of the National and University Library in Tuzla. In a manner of a professional librarian  S. Babajić introduces the reading public to the domicile funds which take a special place and attention in the Library.  In addition, we are presenting  the catalogue of writers from the Domicile Library Collection Gradačac, supplemented with the data from the Domicile Collection of Tuzla Library. This catalogue was  presented at the exhibition Domicile Literary Authors held during the first Gradačac Literary Gatherings in May 1999, the event  abundant in literary manifestations.

The thematic entirety of the almanac is opened by an article "Critical Theory of Hasan Kikić" by Muhidin Džanko. The objective of this text is, to quote: " to try to theoretically elucidate Kikić's literary-critical genotype which  in terminology of  the  contemporary literary critique is usually called the Marxist critique."

That Kikić's work is an  inexhaustible source of inspiration  is shown in an exclusive theme " Woman in Literary Work Of Hasan Kikić"  by Hanifa Kapidžić-Osmanagić.  By shedding light on  images of women in Kikić's world  H. Kapidžić-Osmanagić has pointed out some new, interesting moments in evaluation of Kikić's work,  which might as well be a reason for polemic.

Enver Kazaz, a literary critic,  participates with an article "Phosphorescent  Gnawed Skeletons". Through a prism of Kikić's " The Nights of the Czar"  and by using a comparative manner he convincingly draws a conclusion: "learning, based on  numerous examples from the history of literature that  a literary piece of work  is almost always successful in defending itself from non-textual manipulations, makes sure that  possibilities for reading Kikić's work in general have not yet been exhausted."

"Submissive to a Yellow Clay God", an article written by Dinko Delić,  finalizes the thematic entirety of this issue by claiming that Kikić: "feels narrowed in the limited space of  the social literature." Delić demystifies lucidly generally accepted opinions on Kikić and re-values  a reception of Kikić's work both in literary and political meaning  from a point of view  which ramifies and touches upon phenomenons of postmodernism.

Ivan Pederin, a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zadar, writes about troubles on the road of "temptation" for a book, caused by the institution of censorship. A study "Influence of  the Austrian Censorship on Sale, Dissemination and Advertising of Books (1810-1848)" brings in an intriguing subject, which in our opinion may have a special meaning for a contemporary reader.

"The Tale of the Almighty Reader"  by Mustafa Novalić along with poems by Dinko Delić, Amir Brka (dedicated to M.Ć. Ćatić) and Aras Borić (dedicated to A. Brka) has been published as an allusion to the already mentioned Posavina literary circle which still and actively contributes to the rich heritage of BH literature.

Mirsa Šarić

Editor