Emir Durmišević is an illustrator, concept designer, and animator by profession – and by personal choice, a researcher and world traveller. He is the author of the book “Kings and Queens of Bosnia”, which was primarily intended for children but has also become popular among adult readers.
He also illustrated the famous ballad “Hasanaginica” and recently completed his master’s degree on the topic “Bosnian Kings.” Through his illustrations, he portrayed eight kings of Bosnia from the Kotromanić dynasty – a theme he discussed in an interview with Visit BiH magazine. Although the illustrations are not meant to be exact physical representations, they reveal verified facts and fascinating details from Bosnian history.
All of Emir Durmišević’s works are the result of deep reflection, extensive research of relevant literature, both in museums and libraries, and consultations with experts in the fields that capture his interest.
“The illustrations are part of my master’s thesis ‘Bosnian Kings’ — Character Design and Stylisation of Visual Representation. It consists of eight illustrations that narrate the lives of medieval Bosnian kings through rich visual storytelling, depicting major events from their reigns – wars, conflicts, victories, conquests, and weddings.
The goal is to promote cultural heritage but also local tourism, as some of the castles are featured. I was motivated by the fact that we don’t have engaging ways to present this history, so I wanted to contribute. I’m not saying it’s the best approach, but it’s certainly one of the few,” says Durmišević.
The eight kings he illustrated are: Tvrtko I, Dabiša, Jelena Gruba, Ostoja, Stjepan Ostojić, Tvrtko II, Tomaš, and Stjepan Tomašević. Interestingly, in the Middle Ages, Bosnia had a woman as a sovereign ruler, Queen Jelena Gruba, which was not common in European courts. Usually, women held the title of queen as consorts of kings, but Jelena was both king and queen in her own right.
“The period spans from 1353 to 1463. Bosnia was at its strongest during the reign of Tvrtko I Kotromanić, which we remember as the golden age of Bosnia. But there are many fascinating details. Tvrtko I is perhaps the most famous, but other kings also left their mark, not only in Bosnia but regionally. For example, in 1412, during King Ostoja’s rule, all knights were invited to Buda, and European chronicles recorded how Bosnian knights were steadfast, brave, and victorious in several encounters. Tvrtko II married a Hungarian princess who brought changes to the Bosnian court and introduced elements of the Renaissance to Bosnia,” Durmišević explains.
His goal is clear: to promote the cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It was important that the elements in the illustrations were grounded in real artefacts from museums, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring countries. I also travelled to Austria, Germany, and partly to Italy. We don’t even know for sure who the last Bosnian king was or what the true fate of Queen Katarina was. It’s interesting to note that the first Bosnian queen was a Bulgarian princess, and the first country to recognise independent Bosnia was, in fact, Bulgaria. It’s beautiful to know such things; they expand our general cultural awareness,” Durmišević explains.
The “Kings of Bosnia” project, if given proper support, could evolve into a digital application.
“In terms of visuals and technical preparation, everything is essentially ready. What’s needed now are structures, funding, and an institution to stand behind it. I’ve done my part, and I’m willing to help move things forward. Whether it becomes a short animated series about the kings of Bosnia, allowing children to learn about their rulers through rich illustrations, or a digital app, I’d be thrilled to see it come to life,” Durmišević concludes.
He adds that the greatest recognition for his work comes when those knowledgeable about the Middle Ages can connect with his creations, while those who wish to learn can find all the necessary information on his website.
