Antun Branko Šimić

Antun Branko Šimić (1898–1925) is one of the most important Croatian expressionist poets. He was born in Drinovci (BiH), educated in Široki Brijeg, Mostar and Zagreb, where he started writing and editing literary magazines (Vijavica, Juriš) at an early age. His literary work is short, but extremely influential, because he introduced modernist and expressionist elements into Croatian poetry. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 27.

Šimić was a poet, essayist, literary critic and translator. His best-known collection Preobraženja (1920) brings concise, rhythmic poetry of strong emotions, in which the motifs of death, transience, art and man's inner struggle prevail. His poetic expression is characterized by free verse, brevity and expressiveness.

The most famous songs: Opomena, Pjesnici, Smrt i ja, Moja perobraženija, Herzegovina...

Bibliography:

• Transfigurations (1920) – the only published collection during his lifetime;
• Critical and essayistic texts published in magazines (Juriš, Vijavica);
• Posthumously published texts and collected works.

Šimić's contribution to Croatian literature remained indelible, and his poetry continues to inspire many generations of poets.