Voices of Remembrance: Borislav Pekic's Correspondence with Danilo Kis (Borislav Pekic and Danilo Kis) (Essay‪)‬

In the early spring of 1970, Borislav Pekic decided to take a temporary refuge in London. This move was planned over a longer period of time as Pekic had to address his immediate obligations and secure the necessary travel documents. However, on the eve of his departure to England, he was asked to turn over his passport to the police. The officials at the Department of Internal Affairs justified their decision by citing "reasons of national security." Pekic was advised to remain in Belgrade, while his wife was allowed to leave the country. The news about this unfortunate incident eventually reached Pekic's close friend and fellow writer Danilo Kis who was living in France at the time. In a letter to Pekic from Gentilly, dated June 15, 1970, Kis deplored his fellow writer's misfortune at the moment when Pekic was looking forward to a moving abroad which was favorable for both his family and him. Pekic's wife Ljiljana, a distinguished architect, was offered a position at the Architecture Department of the Greater London Council. (1)