Legacy of Zoran Djindjic
Bequest in the Archives of Serbia, the Historical Museum of Serbia, and the National Library of Serbia
In 2009, Ružica Đinđić donated the written legacy, personal belongings, and personal library of Zoran Djindjic to the Archives of Serbia, the Historical Museum of Serbia, and the National Library of Serbia.
The written legacy of Dr Zoran Djindjic includes notes that shed light on his reflections on key national issues and bear witness to his lasting commitment to finding the best solutions to long-standing problems. Among the documents are letters addressed to foreign statesmen, proposals for addressing strategic challenges, analyses of the situation in the country, as well as records outlining his mission, goals, and concrete steps for the modernization of Serbia.
These writings represent a valuable historical source for studying the political work of Zoran Djindjic, while also offering a broader insight into the contemporary history of Serbia. In addition to notes and political documents, the legacy also contains his academic work – more than two hundred texts, articles, book reviews, and debates on topics in philosophy, sociology, literature, and political theory.
All scholarly works have been catalogued and bibliographically processed by the National Library of Serbia. They have been published since the 1970s in professional and academic journals.
Today, the written legacy is preserved in the Archives of Serbia, where a personal collection dedicated to Zoran Djindjic has been established. With this, the Archives – alongside existing collections of Ilija Garašanin, Stojan Novaković, Nikola Pašić, Jovan Cvijić, and others – became the guardian of yet another prominent historical figure of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The Historical Museum of Serbia houses the personal items Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic had with him at the time of the assassination – his tie, mobile phone, wallet, wristwatch, and briefcase – as well as part of his study: a collection of fountain pens and old ties, a typewriter, the German “Bambi” award given in 2000 for his contribution to politics, a UNESCO award, a certificate from the Fund for American Studies, a birthday gift from the Democratic Party, and other items that testify to his life and work.
Exhibition catalogue Through Life and Thought about the legacy of Zoran Djindjic. The exhibition was held from March 12 to April 14, 2009, at the Archives of Serbia.
Zoran Djindjic’s book Yugoslavia as an Unfinished State was translated into German by Ivo Glaser. The book was published in 2017 under the title Experiment gegen die Moderne.
The Foundation and the National Library of Serbia have published five books in the Selected Works of Zoran Djindjic series, which includes new editions of his works as well as previously unpublished original material.
Personal Library of
Zoran Djindjic
The personal library of Zoran Djindjic consists of around 1,500 books, including 44 copies of old and rare Serbian editions (published up to 1867), as well as a significant number of books in Serbian from the first half of the 20th century—especially from the interwar period. These editions include carefully selected works in the fields of literature and social sciences, with a special emphasis on history, philosophy, and law. The library also contains books in foreign languages, primarily German, English, and French.
It includes some of the most important works in the fields of history, political thought, and the social sciences, further illuminating the intellectual breadth and depth of Zoran Djindjic’s interests. The National Library of Serbia has completed the full bibliographic cataloging of this collection. The books are well preserved and housed at the Zoran Djindjic Foundation, serving as a testament to his rich intellectual legacy.
Based on the Decision on the Classification of Old and Rare Library Materials as Cultural Property of Great Importance, issued by the Governing Board of the National Library of Serbia, the library collection from the legacy of Zoran Djindjic was included in the List of Old and Rare Library Materials of Great Importance in December 2013.
