Antologija narodnih junačkih pesama

The collection contains 70 of the most significant epic folk songs, and includes cycles about Kosovo, Marko Kraljević, Miloš Obilić, hajduks and insurgents, reflecting historical, mythical and cultural themes of the Serbian people. The songs celebrate courage, freedom, resistance to oppression and moral values, often through dramatic stories about heroes such as Obilić or Starina Novak. Đurić’s selection emphasizes the artistic power of these songs, whose language, rhythm and emotionality reflect the spirit of oral tradition.

Đurić’s introduction provides historical context, connecting epic poetry to Homer’s epics and emphasizing its importance as a foundation of Serbian literature. The collection covers periods from pre-Christian mythology to the struggle against the Ottomans, recording the cult of ancestors and social changes. A dictionary of archaic expressions and notes are also included, making the text accessible to a wider audience. A special edition from 2012 commemorates the centenary of the liberation of Old Serbia, confirming the work’s relevance.

Unlike Vuk's collection, which is pioneering but broader and less structured, Đurić's anthology is more selective, focusing on the artistic and historical pinnacle of epic poetry. Compared to works such as Valtazarović's anthology, Đurić offers a deeper analytical approach and better adaptation to the modern reader. His work preserves the oral tradition, while at the same time making it a bridge between the past and the present, thus standing out as a key contribution to Serbian culture and identity.