Moj obračun s njima

"My Showdown with Them" by Miroslav Krleža is one of the most fierce and famous polemical works of Croatian literature. Published in 1932, the text represents a kind of intellectual manifesto in which Krleža publicly breaks with the literary and ideological circles of the then Croatia. At its heart is a sharp criticism of those who, according to the author, restrain the freedom of the spirit and stifle any thought that deviates from dogma and national self-satisfaction. Krleža takes issue with the superficial patriotism, provincialism and spiritual laziness of his contemporaries, calling them out for moral weakness and opportunism.

The text is written with affect, but with exceptional rhetorical power and stylistic virtuosity. Krleža uses long, charged sentences that often cross the boundaries of a political pamphlet, turning into a philosophical and literary confession about the writer's position in society. He rejects any form of submission to the authorities, the people or the church, emphasizing the duty of the artist to think freely, regardless of the consequences. In this sense, “My Showdown with Them” goes beyond personal polemics and becomes a universal call for moral consistency and intellectual courage.

Krleža’s showdown reflects the broader social crisis of the interwar period – the conflict between traditionalism and modernism, provincial culture and European spirituality. The author advocates the idea that literature cannot be just “national entertainment”, but a means of critically examining the identity and values ​​of a people. His message remains relevant today: a true intellectual does not agree to silence or compromise, but defends the right of thought and art to be free, rebellious and true.