Mary Durham on the Serbs Cover Image

Мери Дарам о Србима
Mary Durham on the Serbs

Author(s): Aleksandar P. Rastović
Subject(s): Customs / Folklore, Social history, Recent History (1900 till today)
Published by: Istorijski institut, Beograd

Summary/Abstract: The controversial and almost completely forgotten in her own country Englishwoman Mary Edith Durham, was a frequent visitor to the Balkans and was well versed in circumstances prevailing in it in the first two decades of the 20th century. This interesting scholar and travel writer wrote seven monographs about the Balkans and its inhabitants. She studied in particular detail the history and customs of Albanians and Serbs. And, while initially she was quite reserved towards the former, and exhibited respect for the latter, which she actually demonstrated in her first book, Through Serbian Lands, already in her next study, The Burden of the Balkans, she made a complete somersault, becoming an ardent champion of the Albanian cause and a harsh critic of Serbs. With time, her views acquired a pronounced anti-Serbian tone that she more or less maintained until the end of her life.

  • Issue Year: 2004
  • Issue No: 51
  • Page Range: 124-150
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Serbian