Vladeta Janković (Serbian Cyrillic: Владета Јанковић; born 1940) is a Serbian literary historian, politician, and former diplomat. He is a professor emeritus of world literature at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology. Throughout his career, Janković has been a prominent public figure, known for his critical views on various political issues in Serbia and for his ambassadorial roles.
Early Life and Education
Vladeta Janković was born in 1940 in Belgrade, then part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. He is the son of Sreten Janković, a notable Serbian writer and academic. He completed his primary and secondary education in Belgrade. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology, where he studied World Literature. He earned his Ph.D. in literary sciences.
Academic Career
Janković dedicated a significant portion of his career to academia. He became a professor at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology, specializing in world literature, particularly focusing on English and American literature. His academic work includes numerous studies, essays, and translations. He is known for his erudition and profound knowledge of literary theory and history.
Political Career and Diplomatic Service
Janković's political involvement intensified during the late 1990s as he became a vocal critic of the regime of Slobodan Milošević. He was an active member of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS), a broad coalition that ultimately led to the overthrow of Milošević in October 2000.
Following the democratic changes, Janković embarked on a diplomatic career:
- Ambassador to the United Kingdom (2001–2004): He served as the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (later Serbia and Montenegro) to the United Kingdom from 2001 to 2004.
- Ambassador to the Holy See (2008–2012): He was appointed as the Ambassador of Serbia to the Holy See (Vatican City) from 2008 to 2012.
After his diplomatic assignments, Janković continued to be an active voice in Serbian public life, often commenting on political and social developments. He remained affiliated with democratic-oriented political parties and movements.
In 2022, he re-entered frontline politics as the candidate for Mayor of Belgrade, supported by the opposition coalition "United for the Victory of Serbia" (Ujedinjeni za pobedu Srbije). Despite a significant campaign, he was not elected.
Works and Publications
Vladeta Janković is the author of several books and numerous articles on literary criticism, history, and cultural topics. His academic contributions are highly regarded in Serbian literary circles. He has also translated works from English literature into Serbian.
References
- Various Serbian media outlets (e.g., N1, Danas, Blic)
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology archives
- Official records of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia