Skip to main content

Staying Close from Afar

Marko Sosič In Memoriam (1958–2021)

Marko Sosič was at home in diverse artistic realms: literature, theatre, and film. Across these disciplines, he emphasized openness to creative horizons, building bridges between nations and cultures.

Following his untimely passing, many colleagues and friends wished to leave a farewell message. With venues closed and gatherings prohibited, and given the likely large attendance at a memorial service, the Slovene Permanent Theatre initiated a video tribute titled »Staying Close from Afar«. The tribute premiered on Sunday, March 7, at 6 PM on the Theatre's YouTube channel and the social media platforms of participating organizations. It was later broadcast on RAI's Slovene program on Saturday, March 13, at 9 PM, following the evening news.

The memorial was produced by Kinoatelje's team. Radovan Čok was the director and DOP, the concept was created by Diana Koloini, with contributions from Urban Košir, Havir Gergolet, and Mateja Zorn. The sequence of performances includes personal reflections and readings from Sosič’s works, such as Staying Close from Afar, From the Earth and Dreams, Tito, Amor Mio, Ballerina, Ballerina, and Bread, Dust, presented in their original Slovene and Italian translations. Saxophonist Piero Purich selected and performed connecting musical pieces for the occasion.

Excerpts from literary works were read by actors from the Slovene Permanent Theatre, the Nova Gorica National Theatre, the Teatro Stabile del Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Miela Theatre, and other actors who shared artistic experiences with Sosič, including Radoš Bolčina, Nikla Petruška Panizon, Alessandro Mizzi, Ivan Zerbinati, Maurizio Zacchigna, Lučka Počkaj, Maria Grazia Plos, Adriano Giraldi, Primož Forte, and Matija Rupel.

Writers, representatives of institutions Sosič collaborated with, theatre professionals, and friends also shared personal memories, reflecting the international breadth of his professional and personal connections—from Italy to the Balkans. Testimonies were provided by Breda Pahor, Valentina Repini, Nataša Sosič, Guido Corso, Susanna Tamaro, Janko Petrovec, Martina Mrhar, Aleš Berger, Paolo Magelli, Dušan Šarotar, Vito Taufer, Irena Urbič, Aleš Doktorič, Goran Vojnović, Janusz Kica, and Ahmed Burić.

The online tribute featured Slovene and Italian subtitles.

VIDEO TRIBUTE

Staying Close from Afar
In Memory of Marko Sosič (1958–2021)

  • Concept: Diana Koloini
  • Direction and Cinematography: Radovan Čok, ZFS
  • Editing: Urban Košir
  • Music: Piero Purich
  • Sound Recording and Design: Havir Gergolet
  • Sound Recording: Dean Stojčič
  • Camera: Izidor Čok, Valentin Paulin, Jure Černec, Faris Dobraća
  • Producer: Mateja Zorn

 

Readings from Marko Sosič's works by actors of:

  • Slovene Permanent Theatre, Trieste
  • Slovene National Theatre, Nova Gorica
  • Teatro Stabile del Friuli Venezia Giulia (Il Rossetti)
  • Miela Theatre

 

Actors:
Radoš Bolčina, Nikla Petruška Panizon, Alessandro Mizzi, Ivan Zerbinati, Maurizio Zacchigna, Lučka Počkaj, Maria Grazia Plos, Adriano Giraldi, Primož Forte, Matija Rupel

 

Testimonies by:
Breda Pahor, Valentina Repini, Nataša Sosič, Guido Corso, Susanna Tamaro, Janko Petrovec, Martina Mrhar, Aleš Berger, Paolo Magelli, Dušan Šarotar, Vito Taufer, Irena Urbič, Aleš Doktorič, Goran Vojnović, Janusz Kica, Ahmed Burić

 

Excerpts from Marko Sosič's books:

  • Bread, Dust (Goga Publishing, 2018)
  • From the Earth and Dreams (Litera Publishing, 2011)
  • Ballerina, Ballerina (Translator: Darja Betocchi, Ibiskos Publishing, 2005)
  • Tito, Amor Mio (Translator: Darja Betocchi, Comunicarte Publishing, 2012)
  • Ballerina, Ballerina (Beletrina Publishing, 2017; first edition: Mladika, 1997)
  • Staying Close from Afar (Beletrina Publishing, 2012)

 

Excerpts from interviews with Marko Sosič:

  • Patricija Maličev, Delo, June 29, 2012
  • Tina Kozin, Literatura, Issue 177, Vol. 18, 2006

 

Archival Recordings:

  • My Karst, Scipio Slataper (Directed and Adapted by Marko Sosič, Slovene Permanent Theatre, 2005/2006)
  • The Comedy of Tears (Screenplay and Direction by Marko Sosič, Arsmedia Production, 2016)

 

Portrait Photographer: Luca Quaia

Translations: Matejka Grgič, Federico Tenca Montini (Burić)

Production: Slovene Permanent Theatre, Trieste & Kinoatelje, Gorizia

Special Thanks: Peter Furlan, Danijel Malalan, Rossana Paliaga, Martina Repinc, Valentina Repini, Mateja Sulič, Primorski dnevnik, Rai FJK – Slovene Program, TV Koper Capodistria, Živka Persi

March 2021