Miljenko Smoje(1923-1995)
- Writer
Miljenko Smoje was born in a poor family of labourers. He finished high
school in Split in 1941, but his education was interrupted by WW2 and
Italian occupation. Smoje joined resistance movement and somehow
managed to survive both the arrest by Italians and being kicked out of
Communist party. After the war he finished college and worked few years
as a teacher. In 1948 he joined regional newspaper "Slobodna Dalmacija"
and worked there as reporter until his retirement in 1979. Through the
years Smoje discovered great sense of humour, as well as a talent to
capture unorthodox characters. Soon he became writing humouristic
pieces and thus became one of the most popular writers of that genre in
former Yugoslavia. His television debut was _Nase malo misto (1970) (TV)_, series about small
Dalmatian town and its picturesque inhabitants. Series was great
success and still has a cult status in Croatia. After some minor works
for movies and TV, Smoje tried to repeat that success with _"Velo misto" (1981) (mini)_,
tragicomic historical chronicle about his home town of Split. The
series was also success, but most people still prefer his former
masterpiece. Last years of his life Smoje spent working as satirical
columnist for controversial weekly newspaper "Feral Tribune".
