Јоvan Sterija Popovic -The Refined Lady

I am both proud and honoured by the role of the editor of this book because Jovan Sterija Popovićn was born in my birthplace. Vršac is called “the largest Japanese town in the Republic of Serbia” because it has hosted the largest number of artists and athletes from Japan in the past decade. Our wish is to have Sterija’s works live in Japan both through literature and theatre, “on the boards that mean life”. The writer combined literary genius, particularly in comedy, with influential activities in the development of education, culture and institutions in Serbia. “Pokondirena tikva” is a comedy depicting the character of a woman who publicly tries to pass herself off as high class, but her “tate-mae” (artificial image) has nothing to do with her “hone” (honest thought). This discrepancy between what we want to be and what we are is explained by the Japanese concept “tate-mae vs hone”. In modern society, through his universal comedy of character, Sterija makes us laugh and wonder: Who are we really when we take off our masks ?”