Deva iz Devina in trije junaki
((The Maiden of Devin and the Three Heroes) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
The book unfolds across three levels: the pagan-mythological, the fairy-tale, and the contemporary. At first glance, with a spoiled princess awaiting her bridegroom in her castle in Devin (Duino) as its hero, it appears to be a classic fairy tale. Yet Kravos skilfully and imaginatively recontextualizes this fairy-tale framework, placing it in dialogue with both the modern world and the mythological — that is, the timeless past. The narrative takes the form of a children’s theatre performance, following modern adolescents rehearsing a production of the fairy tale The Maiden of Devin and the Three Heroes. This dual structure gives the author the freedom to comment on the original story both in the moment and from a reflective distance: Can one still call someone a “Negro” today? Would modern princesses be content with a pomegranate instead of rubies? Would they simply wait for suitors, or step into action themselves? Didn’t people once make offerings to a powerful goddess beneath Devin Castle? The story takes place on Midsummer Night, the shortest night of the year, paying tribute to the magic, timelessness, and constancy of nature. In a playful and witty way, the author also pays homage to love, a universal language understood everywhere and across time, even without a fern seed tucked into one’s pocket. (source: publisher)
Edited by: Mestna knjižnica Ljubljana
Comment:
A pair of Italy-based Slovene minority artists has captured the story of The Maiden of Devin and the Three Heroes and her many transformations. Yet the changes do not concern Deva alone, with her ever-shifting hairstyles greeting each new suitor; the story itself continually reveals new faces. In an original twist, Marko Kravos has woven old folk tales into a theatre play, which Jurij Devetak then adapted into a comic. The reader is given an intimate, behind-the-curtain view, where masks are lifted, snack breaks are taken, and chit-chat occurs. Crafting a compelling whole, the authors seamlessly fuse a range of elements, from lyrical language to situational comedy. The comic can thus spark discussions on a variety of learned and sophisticated concepts — from the role of art to genre-blending, metafiction, and language — while also providing a thoroughly engaging reading and viewing experience as an utterly unique work. The book has received the Golden Pear Quality Badge.