# Dubravka Ugrešić

> Croatian writer (1949–2023)

**Wikidata**: [Q237416](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237416)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubravka_Ugrešić)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dubravka-ugresic

## Summary
Dubravka Ugrešić was a Croatian writer, novelist, essayist, and university teacher who lived from 1949 to 2023. She was known for her literary contributions across multiple genres, including novels, essays, and children's literature, and received numerous international awards for her work.

## Biography
- Born: March 27, 1949
- Nationality: Croatian (with connections to Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Netherlands)
- Education: University of Zagreb
- Known for: Literary works including novels, essays, children's literature, and screenwriting
- Employer(s): University of Zagreb
- Field(s): Literature, writing, translation, visual arts

## Contributions
Dubravka Ugrešić contributed extensively to contemporary literature through her diverse body of work. She wrote novels, essays, and children's literature while also working as a translator and screenwriter. Her career included teaching at the University of Zagreb, where she shared her literary expertise with students. Ugrešić maintained an active presence in the international literary community, participating in programs like the International Writing Program in Iowa City, Iowa. Her official website (https://www.dubravkaugresic.com) served as a platform for her literary output and public engagement with readers.

## FAQs
**What awards did Dubravka Ugrešić receive?**
Dubravka Ugrešić received numerous prestigious literary awards throughout her career, including the NIN Prize, Meša Selimović Prize, City of Zagreb Award, Prix Européen de l'Essai Charles Veillon, Austrian State Prize for European Literature, Heinrich Mann Prize, Otherwise Award, Neustadt International Prize for Literature, and Jean Améry award.

**Where did Dubravka Ugrešić work professionally?**
Ugrešić primarily worked at the University of Zagreb as a university teacher. She also participated in the International Writing Program in Iowa City, Iowa, which provided a residency for international artists.

**What genres did Dubravka Ugrešić write in?**
Ugrešić was versatile in her literary pursuits, writing across multiple genres including novels, essays, children's literature, and screenwriting. She also worked as a translator and visual artist throughout her career.

**What countries was Dubravka Ugrešić associated with?**
She was associated with Croatia (her country of citizenship), the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia where she was born and began her career, and the Netherlands where she later lived and worked.

**How was Dubravka Ugrešić recognized in the literary community?**
Ugrešić was recognized as an accomplished writer with numerous literary awards from multiple countries. She served as a university teacher and participated in international writing programs, establishing herself as an influential figure in contemporary literature.

## Why They Matter
Dubravka Ugrešić matters as a significant voice in contemporary literature whose work transcended national boundaries and genres. Through her diverse literary output, she contributed to cultural discourse and influenced multiple generations of readers and writers. Her international recognition through prestigious awards demonstrated the global impact of her writing. As a university teacher, she shaped literary education and mentored emerging writers. Ugrešić's career exemplifies the power of literature to bridge cultural divides and maintain relevance across changing political landscapes, particularly during and after the transition of Yugoslavia to independent states.

## Notable For
- Recipient of the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, one of the most prestigious international literary awards
- Winner of the Austrian State Prize for European Literature for her contributions to European literature
- Honored with the Heinrich Mann Prize, recognizing her literary achievements
- Received the Jean Améry award for her essayistic work
- Awarded the Otherwise Prize for her distinctive approach to literature
- Winner of the NIN Prize, a prestigious Serbian literary award
- Recipient of the Meša Selimović Prize, another significant Serbian literary recognition
- Honored with the City of Zagreb Award for her contributions to literature
- Received the Prix Européen de l'Essai Charles Veillon for her European essays
- Participated in the International Writing Program, connecting with writers worldwide

## Body

### Early Life and Background
Dubravka Ugrešić was born on March 27, 1949, during the existence of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1945-1992). This historical context influenced her worldview and literary perspective. She held citizenship in Croatia and was connected to the Netherlands later in her life. Her career spanned significant political transitions in the region, from Yugoslavia through Croatian independence to her eventual exile.

### Education and Academic Career
Ugrešić received her education at the University of Zagreb, which was founded in 1669 and remains Croatia's oldest and largest university. Following her studies, she embarked on an academic career, teaching at the University of Zagreb as a university teacher. This dual role as writer and educator allowed her to influence both contemporary literature and the development of future literary talents.

### Literary Contributions and Style
As a writer, Ugrešić demonstrated remarkable versatility across multiple literary forms. She worked as a novelist, essayist, children's writer, and screenwriter, while also engaging in translation work. Her writing often explored themes of identity, memory, and cultural displacement, particularly in the context of post-Yugoslav society. She maintained a professional website where she published her work and connected with readers globally.

### International Recognition and Awards
Ugrešić received numerous prestigious awards throughout her distinguished career, recognizing her contributions to literature and cultural discourse. These included the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, Austrian State Prize for European Literature, Heinrich Mann Prize, Jean Améry award, Otherwise Award, NIN Prize, Meša Selimović Prize, City of Zagreb Award, and Prix Européen de l'Essai Charles Veillon. This international recognition solidified her status as a significant literary figure beyond national boundaries.

### Professional Affiliations and Connections
Throughout her career, Ugrešić maintained connections with important literary institutions and programs. She was affiliated with the International Writing Program in Iowa City, Iowa, which provides residencies for international artists. This connection placed her within a global network of writers and intellectuals, fostering cross-cultural exchange in literature. Her association with the University of Zagreb remained a significant anchor point in her professional life.

### Multidisciplinary Approach
Beyond traditional writing, Ugrešić engaged with various artistic disciplines. She worked as a translator, facilitating cultural exchange through language, and as a visual artist, demonstrating a multidisciplinary approach to creative expression. This breadth of engagement reflected her view of literature as interconnected with other art forms and cultural practices.

### Later Life and Legacy
Ugrešić continued her literary work until her death on March 17, 2023. Her legacy encompasses her extensive body of work across multiple genres, her influence on literary education, and her role in bridging cultural divides through literature. Her work continues to be studied and appreciated for its insights into identity, culture, and the human condition in times of political and social transformation.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2023/03/17/l-ecrivaine-croate-dubravka-ugresic-est-morte-a-73-ans_6165954_3246.html)
2. BnF authorities
3. [Source](https://www.trouw.nl/cultuur-media/nederlands-kroatische-schrijfster-dubravka-ugresic-leeft-tussen-twee-werelden~b6d65950/)
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. RKDartists
6. [НИН online](http://www.nin.co.rs/pages/roman.php?id=27770)
7. [Source](https://www.zagreb.hr/u-1989-godini-za-1988-godinu/28623)
8. [Source](https://www.kunstkultur.bka.gv.at/staatspreis-fur-europaische-literatur)
9. [Source](http://www.adk.de/de/akademie/preise-stiftungen/H_Mann_Preis.htm)
10. [Source](https://tiptree.org/award/2010-james-tiptree-jr-award)
11. [Source](https://www.neustadtprize.org/dubravka-ugresic-announced-as-2016-winner-of-prestigious-neustadt-international-prize-for-literature/)
12. International Standard Name Identifier
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16. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
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19. Munzinger Personen
20. [Umrla je Dubravka Ugrešić](https://www.jutarnji.hr/kultura/knjizevnost/umrla-je-dubravka-ugresic-15316577)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. Integrated Authority File
23. [Source](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-476-03702-2_376)
24. CONOR.SI
25. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
26. LIBRIS. 2018
27. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute