The 25th Anniversary of Existence and Activity of the Historical Institute of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts in Dubrovnik

U svibnju 1974. navršilo se 25 godina od osnutka Historijskog in­stituta Jugoslavenske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti u Dubrovniku, a u siječnju 1975. i 25 godina od početka njegova znanstvenog rada. Zadatak je ovog napisa da ukratko prikaže djelovanje te znanstvene ustanove kroz minulih 25 godina.The month of May, 1974, marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Historical Institute of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts in Dubrovnik, while the month of January, 1975, marked the 25th anniversary of the beginning of its scientific work. Dubrovnik, as the founder and centre of the widely known Republic of Dubrovnik, which existed for several centuries and maintained successful economic, cultural and political connections with a number of countries overseas and countries in the Balkan Peninsula and on European soil generally — as testified by an immense documentation kept in the Dubrovnik Historical Archive — has been a source of lively interest on the part of historians. The latter, as well as numerous other cultural and public workers, have voiced the view that Dubrovnik’s rich past ought to be investigated in a systematic manner. Hence the attempts to proceed along such lines. As long ago as 1882, Prof. Josip Gelčić, having assembled around him a number of collaborators, commenced publishing in Dubrovnik »The Library for the history of Dalmatia«. In 1906, was established in Dubrovnik »The Foundation for investigating on Dubrovnik’s Past«. In 1923, »The Dubrovnik Learned Society of St. Vlaho« began its activity in Dubrovnik. This Society used to publish its own year-book under the name »Glasnik« (»Herald«). In 1929, Prof. Jorjo Tadić advanced a proposal in the journal »Dubrovnik« to the effect that the Dubrovnik Historical Archive should be organized as an historical institute. However, all eforts expended during the period of the Austrian Administration (until the end of the First World War) and during the time of Old Yugoslavia (between the two World Wars), to the effect that a scientific institution of the institute type should be established in Dubrovnik, failed, for anti-national regimes were not willing to render this possible. It was only in the new, Socialist Yugoslavia (subsequent to World War II), when also science had obtained the necessary preconditions for creative development, that the wish and need were realized that in Dubrovnik an Historical Institute be established, which was founded by the Yugoslav Academy. Over a span of 25 years of its existence the Historical Institute of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts in Dubrovnik justified to the full the reasons for its creation. In this Institute were held technical courses for young scientific workers, scientific symposia, consulations, exhibitions and public lectures. The Institute publishes its year-book – »Anali«. In the 12 so far published volumes of the »Annals« a total of 92 collaborators have published 201 papers on as many as 4335 pages. Besides, the Institute has separately published 6 scientific books. It is not without interest to note that in edition of the Institute also »A History of Dubrovnik« has commenced being published, planned to number several volumes. As far back as the beginning of this Institute, a lively interest for its work was exhibited by Academician dr. Andrija Štampar, then President of the Yugoslav Academy. Since then, over so many years, also Academician dr. Grga Novak, the present President of the Academy, has demonstrated a great interest and love for the mentioned institution. He is the most active collaborator of this Institute, initiator of the whole field covered by »A History of Dubrovnik«, author of innumerable treatises dealing with Dubrovnik’s past, author of two books in the framework of the entire field of the history of Dubrovnik (one of which has already been published, while the other is being worked upon by him at present), editor of the »Annals«, longtime President of the Scientific Council of the Institute, and since not long ago Head of the Centre for scientific investigations of the Yugoslav Academy in Dubrovnik. In the activity of this Institut e a prominent role has been played by Academician dr. Cvito Fisković, its longtime director, editor of the »Annals«, member of the Editorial Board of the publication »A History of Dubrovnik«. Special interest for the work of this Institute has been exhibited by Academician dr. Marko Kostrenčić, longtime secretary of the Department of social sciences of the Yugoslav Academy, furthermore by Academicians dr. Mirko Deanović, dr. Branko Gusić and others. The Historical Institute of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts in Dubrovnik is housed in the most beautiful Dubrovnik summer residence, which was raised as far back as the first half of the 16th century in the Gothic-Renaissance style on the Lapad side of the Bay of Gruž, amid the greenery of its own park, in an atmosphere of absolute quiet, as can only be wished for