Tibor Sekelj

Tibor Sekelj
Born	February 14, 1912(1912-02-14) Spišská Sobota (part of Poprad), Austria-Hungary
Died	20 September 1988(1988-09-20) (aged 76) Subotica, Yugoslavia
Occupation	writer, lawyer, explorer, Esperantist
Nationality	serbian croatian
Ethnicity	hungarian jew
Citizenship	yugoslavian
Education	lawyer
Alma mater	University of Zagreb
Period	1929-1988
Genres	Esperanto literature
Notable work(s)	Kumeŭaŭa, la filo de la ĝangalo (1979) Tempesto sur Akonkagvo, La trovita feliĉo, Tra lando de Indianoj, Nepalo malfermas la pordo (Window on Nepal), Ĝambo Rafiki, Mondmapo, Padma, Mondo de travivaĵoj, Elpafu la sagon, Neĝhomo, Kolektanto de ĉielarkoj; See bibliography
Spouse(s)	Erszebet Sekelj

Tibor Sekelj (occasionally called Székely Tibor according to Hungarian orthography), was born on 14 February 1912 in Spišská Sobota in Austria-Hungary; died the 20 September 1988 in Subotica, Vojvodina, Yugoslavia) was world citizen of Hungarian origin. journalist, investigator, writer and jurist. He undertook expeditions through South America, Asia and Africa. Contrastively of other world travelers and investigators his exploration aims basically were not the tangible facets of the world, but he wanted to understand and strip the essence of the human soul. Fields on that he acted far successfully are terrific.

Beside Hungarian and Serbo-Croatian, he spoke German, Spanish, English, French and Esperanto. Sekelj learned around 25 languages and occasionally said that he preserved skill for 9 between them.

In 1986 he was chosen member of the Academy of Esperanto and an honorary member of the World Esperanto Association, writing several books (essays and novels) in that language. His Kumeŭaŭa, la filo de la ĝangalo ("Kumewawa, the son of the jungle"), a children's book about the life of Brazilian Indians, has been translated into many languages. In 2011 European Esperanto-Union proclaimed the year 2012 « The Year of Tibor Sekelj » because of the hundred years of his birth.

Biography

Youth 1912-1939

Consecutive places of residence of Tibor Sekelj in Europe, in youth (1912-1939) and after return from South-America (1954-1988)

Sekelj's father was a veterinarian and as a result the family moved around extensively. Several months after his birth the family moved to Čenej Vojvodina and in the current Romania where Tibor passed the ten first years of his life. The domestic language was Hungarian, on the street one talked also some German dialect. Tibor had at least two sisters and brother Antonije that involved in some books of Tibor. The family settled in 1922 in Kikinda (Кикинда), Serbia, Yugoslavia, where Tibor began to learn the Serbo-Croatian; he then studied French and even instructed it to his companions studying some lessons sooner than they. He perfected himself in that language with French teacher; then he got new language approximately every fourth year. Here he ended basic school before the family moved in 1926 to Nikšić (Никшић), Montenegro, where he ended gym. Already in the high school he loved mountaineering and walking he crossed the whole Montenegro. In 1929 he began university for study law in Zagreb (Croatia) and graduated in 1933, as one from the 3 youngest students. In those same years he also learnt painting, sculpture, the language Esperanto, movie producing and journalism. Disinterested in practicing law, he began working as a journalist in Zagreb. In 1937 he started to work in Zagreb as movie play writer.

World traveler

From 1939 until his life end Tibor Sekelj was tireless traveler. Even if he came back to his homeland, the tendency research new lands and become acquainted with other folks pushed him again depart.

Trips goals of Tibor Sekelj in the world

Trips goals

Themes of books

Homeland

European countries

South America 1939-1954

Living in Zagreb, in 1939, hoping to vaster horizons he reached Argentina by means of ship, for report about Yugoslav emigrants as reporter of the newspaper Hrvatski Dnevnik from Zagreb. Tibor Sekelj traveled by means of the ship "Teresa" then possession of the Enterprise Cosulich of Trieste from Rijeka (then Fiume in Italy), until Buenos Aires, with stops in Napoles-Genova (Italy) Santos (in Brazil), Montevideo (in Uruguay)... Tibor received tourist visa in the Argentinian consulate of Zagreb on July 8th and reached Buenos Aires on August 19th 1939. Seem that Tibor foresaw the start of the war and did not want to become soldier, so quickened to go as journalist in distant land... He genuinely wanted to escape the war, no since he was cowardly (his courage was repeatedly proved), but probably because he was a Hungarian Jew and an Esperantist could not hate anybody and because of that inflame for any ideology and combat target.

After two years he quite a lot ruled Spanish for can involve in organs, and self issue monthly organ dedicated to journeys and explorations. Because of various circumstances between that World War II, he stayed here during 15 years as journalist and investigator.

1939-1945: Argentina, Aconcagua

In 1944, without big prior mountaineer experience, he participated in an expedition to Aconcagua the highest summit (6,962m) of the South American continent., led by the Swiss German mountaineer Georg Link. With the Austrian Zechner and the Italian Bertone he reached the summit on February 13rd, 1944. The expedition was dramatic: four from six youngsters that participated perished in snow storm. Their bodies were recovered 11 months later by a second expedition, that Tibor also participated, according to initiative of the Argentinian army. This experience inspired him to write his first work Storm on the Aconcagua. After that second expedition Sekelj added new chapter to the second publication of the already appearing « Tempestad sobre el Aconcagua », 1944 in that he describes that adventure. The Argentinian government rewarded him by means of « golden condor » because of merits in the expedition, but he dismissed the Argentinian citizenship that the Head of State Perón personally offered to him.

1946-47: Mato-Grosso

‎Because of the success of his first book, his publisher urged him to write a second, and so that he had a theme, the publisher funded by means of two thousand dollars expedition, to a little known regions in the Brazilian rainforests in Mato Grosso. In 1946 he undertook the first of two expeditions into the Amazon jungle, the first of which produced a popular book, "Along Native Trails" (Por Tierra De Indios). Argentinian Meri Reznik of Russian origin (1914-1996) to that he married, one year later joined to that trailblazing expedition. Together they returned to the Amazon in 1948, and after that expedition he penned "Where Civilization Ends" (Donde La Civilizacion Termina).

To Tibor and Meri was born in Buenos Aires in 1949 son Diego Reinaldo Sekelj, who now lives in New York, United States, with the name Daniel Bernstain because of the name of the second husband of Maria Reznik. Tibor and Meri divorced after five years.

Sekelj passed almost one year in the region of the rivers Aragvajo and Rio das Mortes, that he with 30 of folks as first foreigners crossed and entered the territory of aggressive Xavantes and returned living. He here gathered with tribes Karajá and Javae and gathered a lot of useful geographic data about that region. His second book « Por Tierra de Indios » (1946) that reports those experiences, met big success, reaching several publications and were translated to many languages.

In the summer 1946 he traveled through Patagonia with three companions : Zechner, Meri and Dr Rosa Scolnik. During the following years he frequented university of Buenos Aires to attend speeches about anthropology, ethnology and archeology, without intending to graduate but merely to get useful knowledge for his forthcoming expeditions.

1948-49: Bolivia, Jivaros

In 1948 new expedition whose planned target was gather with Jivaros -that he however did not succeed to meet- led him to Bolivia, in whose capital he gathered with President Enrique Hertzog that urged him research no already researched region of river Itenez that extends until Brazil. During that journey he attained the tribe of the Tuparis having been cannibals until 5 years before, and with that he lived 4 months. Returning in April 1949, Sekelj received offer of the President Hertzog manage hundred thousand hectares territory from the planned 4 millions of hectares for here accommodate one million of refugees from Europe. Sekelj did not want to expect six months that the parliament do decision and conceded about the bid. He later regretted that he missed the occasion create territory where Esperanto would be the mutual language of the population.

1949-1951 Venezuela

Coming in United Kingdom to World Congress of Esperanto in summer of 1949, after seven months stay in Europe, Sekelj returned to South America, this time to Venezuela where he during one year and half became boss of store of music instruments in Maracaibo. Meanwhile he any more wrote for newspapers and went to Caracas for here effect series of wall paintings about the life of Venezuela for recently built cafe. Of here he started homeless and exploration journey to Central America lands, being alone, because he divorced of Meri after five years cohabitation.

1951-54: Central America

Between his trips in Central America, he mentioned trip to islands San Blas at Panama where live Indians Kuna, failed because of eruption attempt ascend the volcano Izalko in El Salvador, exposure of ancient ruined city in Honduras, about that all knew legends but none saw, and that built less civilized Indians.

Alongside with explorations, Sekelj himself involved about archeology and anthropology. In Guatemala and Honduras he studied the civilization of the Mayas and visited almost all archaeological remains.

Arriving in Mexico in 1953, mountaineer clubs invited him participate expeditions because they considered him master because of his book « Tempestad sobre el Aconcagua » that was a best seller and was considered as manual about mountaineering. He so climbed Popocatépetl, Iztaccihuatl and many other volcanoes and mountains, and then genuinely became an expert. Interesting research was exploration through the bed of underground river San Heronimo that bears to himself 14-km way in the interior of mountain.

Additional world trips basing from Europe 1954-1988

In 1954 Sekelj returned to Yugoslavia and lived in Belgrade, where he was warmly accepted by government and population because of his interesting experiences and humanitarian message. Many his articles appeared in newspapers and several his books were then translated to Serbian Slovenian Hungarian Albanian and Esperanto languages. Although he still traveled and wrote of his experiences constantly.

1956-57: India, China, Nepal

In 1956 he started a journey to Asia by means of car, intending to participate UNESCO-talk forthcoming in New Delhi as observer of UEA. He left his car crashed in Tehran and maintained his way by means of bus and railway. During that journey he had conversations with prime minister Nehru and its daughter, future prime minister Indira Gandhi and became friend with the will be President Dr Radhakrishnan. In the Yugoslav embassy he gathered with Ljubomir Vukotić, at thaht time president of the World Federation of the Deaf that here participated talk with Indian and Chinese representatives for erect Asian office. Sekelj helped to Vukotić as interpreter in that difficult communication situation with not hearing people with different languages. During January 1957 he therefore accompanied Vukotić to China, where at that time no tourists traveled to. Follows six months stay in Nepal, other land that until then did not accept visitors. The king of Nepal Mahendra invited him for thank to him about the foundation of the first peoples' university, and teaching of Esperanto. That is the theme of his book « Nepal opens the door », 1959, that he originally wrote in Esperanto during stay in Madras in south India, sharing his time between writing and studying of yoga philosophy. That book has been translated to several languages (between others: English, Spanish, Serbian, Slovenian).

After writing of that book he began India walking and traveling by means of buses of village to village, of temple to temple. During one month he stayed in cave with three other yogis.

1958-60: Vinoba Bhave, Japan, Sri Lanka

After six months stay in Europe he again flew to India for instruct Esperanto to Vinoba Bhave that dominated the language after one month. Any more visiting India during five additional months, in March 1960, he flew to Japan. Arriving impoverished he stayed 4 months talking in 30 cities in whole Japan, staying in Esperantist homes. Because of the speeches and magazine articles he earned quite a lot for buy flight ticket to Sri Lanka and of here likewise to Israel and back to Yugoslavia.

1961-63: Morocco, « Caravan of Friendship » in Africa

In 1961 according to invitation of Moroccan Esperantists he visited Morocco and joined to caravan of Tuaregs to Sahara. Between two journeys he stayed in Belgrade.

In March 1962 sailed to Africa his « Karavano de Amikeco » (Caravan of Friendship), consisting from eight folks from four lands in two all-terrain cars. The journey lasted one year and reached Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania. Other second planned caravan to other African lands did not achieve. The target of the journey was direct human contacts. Meanwhile he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak of Africa. This journey is the theme of his book « Ĝambo rafiki », originally written in Esperanto, but first appearing in its Slovenian translation.

1965-66: Russia, Japan, Mongolia, Europe

In 1965 intending the World Congress of Esperanto forthcoming in Tokyo, he flew through Russia (Moscow) and Siberia (Irkutsk and Khabarovsk), by mean of train until Nahodka and by mean of ship reached Yokohama. Staying one month in Japan he started traveling back by means of train through Siberia, but, not having planed it before, decided to stop in Mongolia during three months, what in that time was not easy cause, even with visa and dispensations.

In the next years his trips goals were European lands that he almost all visited except Albania and Iceland. Separate attention received Spain and Scandinavia.

1970: Australia, New Zealand, New-Guinea

In 1970, sent by Yugoslav televisions, he departed for visit Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea where he stayed six months. He here climbed Mount Kosciuszko In New Guinea he gathered with populations that until then had only very few contacts with civilized world, and experienced some intense situations. But the talent of Sekelj surely was his skill escape from many dangerous situations (occasionally contributed also the chance), adapt to very various habits and custom (especially eating customs), and communicate with folks with very various languages. That he fitted to learn more than twenty especially helped.

1972-1980: North America, Russia, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, Ecuador

In 1972 accidentally of international congress of ethnologists in Chicago he visited east parts of Canada and United States. In 1977 accidentally of same arrangement in Leningrad, he started a journey to Uzbekistan and Central Asia. In the same year he participated festival of Negro and African Cultures in Lagos (Nigeria). In 1978 he again visited some lands of South America for do reports for Yugoslav televisions, and first were in Ecuador and visited the Galápagos Islands.

That during his whole life tireless travelling folk explained that he succeeded to have resources for his journeys by means of his work, because he alone accomplished the tasks of seven folks : writer of articles, filmmaker, cameraman, assistant, photographer, buyer and sender of ethnographic objects. Those tasks usually do separate experts, Sekelj during his journeys alone did all those tasks. Moreover, for instance before traveling to Australia, he did advertising arrangement with airline for receive discounted tickets.

Work for Esperanto

Sekelj dedicated big part of his energy for defense of Esperanto. Committee member of UEA since 1946, while more than 30 years (with a few years pause when he conflicted with Ivo Lapenna]), because of activity of IOE , he strived to participate very many World Congresses. As representative of UEA or of International Committee for Ethnographic Museums he participated very many international talks, where he commonly was the alone that directly understood all speakers because of his knowledge of more than ten languages.

In 1983 he was between the founders of EVA (Esperantist Writers Association whose first president he was and in 1986 he was chosen member of the Academy of Esperanto.

He exhausted all occasions for appeal for Esperanto, notably in the international Writers association PEN and at UNESCO. In 1985 he was commissioned by UEA for reach that Unesco do second resolution favorable to Esperanto, what happened during the 27th talk happening in Sofia.

1972-1988: Director of museum in Subotica

According to invitation, in 1972, he became the curator of Municipal Museum in Subotica (Serbia – Vojvodina) and professionally led the museum during 4 years. Already in his late life years in the 1970th he studied museology in Zagreb University and graduated about that (in 1976) but almost immediately later abandoned his job, without having support for his notions and drafts. He participated in world congress of ethnographers in Chicago in United States and in World congress of museologists in Copenhagen, where he was chosen secretary of International Committee of Museologists, where he did set of initiatives also about new types museums with dioramas.

In 1985 Tibor became acquainted with a young woman Erzsébet Sekelj, librarian, born in 1958, whom he met on a journey through Hungary . She learnt Esperanto in that same year. Tibor and Erszébet cohabited three years and married in 1987 in Osijek. They together visited three World Congresses of Esperanto. Erszébet participated in composition of the vojvodina organ VELO. They jointly wanted to compile Esperanto-Serbo-croatian dictionary, but that already they did not succeed to end.

Since 1972 he lived in Subotica until his death September 20th 1988. He was buried September 23rd in Bajsko groblje (Baja cemetery) in Subotica, with the highest honors from the city of Subotica. On his grave, under bronze bas-relief one can read that inscription in Esperanto:

“	TIBOR SEKELJ 1912-1988 VERKISTO, MONDVOJAĜANTO	”
—Grave in Subotica

Skills

Tibor Sekelj showed himself bright in various skills bound one to the another. He was journalist, investigator, adventurer, mountaineer, writer, drawer, filmmaker, geographer, ethnologist, museologist, polyglot and acted in political terrain, relating with politicians from that several heads of state are to be mentioned. His activity projects because of his defense of Esperanto at Unesco namely of UEA. Tying all fields in that he acted his worldview and his access to folks from the whole world are to be emphasized.

Geographer

‎ Travelling he certainly was geographer by means of themselves, but the life forced him become real qualified geographer and he in that mean researched and designed charts of several until then uncharted parts of South America, especially in Bolivia and Brazil. Because of that even some brook in Brazil received his name Rio Tibor. He published word map in Esperanto and edited professional organ «Geografia Revuo» between 1956 and 1964. In 1950 he became member of Guatemala society about history and geography and, because of merits in this area, in 1946 the Royal Geographic Society of United Kingdom accepted him as member FRGS.

Journalist

He learnt about journalism during his study years in Zagreb and became here correspondent of Croatian newspapers : one from them, Hrvatski Dnevnik, sent him as his correspondent to Argentina, for report about Yugoslav emigrants, and he like this became traveller in 1939. After two years he quite a lot ruled Spanish for can involve in organs, and self issue in Buenos Aires, in Spanish language, monthly organ « Rutas » (Ways) dedicated to geography, journeys, tourism, explorations, etc.

Working as journalist for some Argentinian newspaper and for write separate story he decided to join to then planned expedition to Aconcagua, the highest mountain of Americas (more than 7000 m according to contemporary ratings). In the eventual life he mostly survived himself by means of journalistic work contributing to many newspapers chiefly in South America and Yugoslavia. In Yugoslavia he contributed to many junior newspapers, so that new generation heard about Esperanto by means of his articles in childish newspapers. In the 60th years he became also televised journalist that filmed series of TV-reports for the Belgrade Television about the Caravan of Friendship (travel through Africa) for the Zagreb Television about exploration of unknown tribes in Australia and New Guinea and for the Novisad Television about Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. Also in Esperanto he was brilliant journalist. Except contribution to many Esperanto-newspapers and organs he was chief editor during 8 years for the Geografia Revuo, E-Gazeto (initially IOE-Gazeto) of 1966-1972 (monthly organ – entirely appeared 65 editions) and VELO during six years (1983-1988 - Vojvodina Esperanto-newspaper).

« Geografia Revuo » appeared between 1956 until 1964, each one volume yearly, except in 1959-1960 neither in 1962. The title-pages of exclusively all six volumes are of Sekelj, only in the 4th issue he left the place of the editorial to Aafke Haverman (« Aviadile tra Afriko ») and laid his « Kun la Ajnoj de Hokajdo » in the central booklet. Looked at as entirety, « Geografia Revuo » is virtually personal periodical of Sekelj with some appendices of friends.

He survived himself chiefly of journalistic work (writing articles and stories for many various newspapers and organs) and by means of filmmaking. Appeared 740 translations of his articles in newspapers and organs. It is possible to assume that he involved with many tens of newspapers and organs chiefly in Yugoslavia, Hungary and South America lands. Naturally also with the Esperanto-press. He effected 7500 speeches about his journeys and various other themes.

He toured 90 lands of the world and score of his books appeared 90–occasionally in various languages and publications.

Filmmaker

First working place of Sekelj after his certification in Zagreb was in film company Merkurfilm, that sent him learn about production of films to Prague. He learnt at famous Czech director Otokar Vavra during 6 months about production of films.

After the return to Yugoslavia in sixtieth years important role in coverage got television. Because of that researches of unknown regions required no only picture but also movie material. Tibor accepted the challenge and now he started to use his knowledges as filmmaker that self directed, but also cared about sound and light, cared about work of cameraman etc. in journeys in New Guinea and Australia. He filmed for Zagreb television series of films about those regions and local natives that the Zagreb television presented in whole Yugoslavia televised net as series of ten films hourlong. Those films he did alone. In second half of seventieth years he did films about Colombia and Ecuador in that he was with team of filmmakers of Novi Sad Television, that carried those films describing travels.

Himself was object of many televised transmissions and interviews chiefly at former Yugoslav televisions and big majority of those materials is preserved in the relevant televisions, for instance big two hours interview with televised reporter Hetrich.

Mountaineer

In Argentina he learnt about mountaineering preparing himself and participating in the expedition to Aconcagua and he went yet one occasion on that dangerous mountain. Later he climbed on many fancy high mountains on all continents between that project mountains in Nepal, Mexico and Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia. His detailed description of the expedition to Aconcagua in Spanish speaking book became textbook about mountaineering in Mexico and one use it in this mean also in some other South America lands.

Ethnologist

During his journeys he specialized himself about collection of native masks, caps and instruments and the not written native poetry. About the latter he published the book « Elpafu la sagon », that appeared in Serbocroatian and Esperanto. He donated the tangible collection of masks, instruments and caps to Ethnographic museum in Zagreb and to Municipal museum of Subotica from that most later were handed over to the museum of Senta (Serbia).

Adventurer

Although that never was his target, the most attractive facet of his life for the public, especially the not esperantist, are adventure character. Searching the essence of the human soul he had to gather with all kinds of folks in the most hardly accessible world parts. He met and studied set of tribes in rain forests of Brazil and New Guinea, custom and ways of life and philosophies of then unknown populations and groups in Asia and Africa and in many occasions bothering to close to folks not confident to whites he located in life danger. In Esperanto about that describes chiefly the book « Mondo de travivaĵoj» (The world of experiences ), 1981.

Political militant

Between other talents Sekelj owned skill quickly become and can persuasively relate with politicians. During his journeys he was accepted by score of heads of state and commonly he gave useful hints to them, studying and seeing details of their lands. He during the life gathered with several heads of state : Of Perón (Argentinian president) he received distinction Golden Condor in 1946 and offer accept Argentinian citizenship because of his merits related to Aconcagua. He gathered with Nehru (Indian prime minister) and his daughter Indira Gandhi (future Indian prime minister), and with Radhakrishnan (future Indian president) he became friend. Bolivia president Enrique Hertzog sent him research unknown regions of Bolivia in 1948 and in 1949 offered to him found on Bolivia territory county for European refugees after World War II and delivered to him 100.000 hectares for that. Tibor solicited 4 millions, for what were necessarily expect additional half year until the Bolivia parliament will decide about that, but he did not incline to expect and dismissed. He gathered with the king Mahendra of Nepal that thanked him since Tibor founded first people university in that land, where he instructed Esperanto.

The peak of his political activity was in 1985 when he took over namely of UEA prepare second resolution of UNESCO about Esperanto. He gathered and discussed with many tens of heads of state, ministers and different level diplomats during his 4 participations in UNESCO-talks and most a lot in 1984 and 1985. He first succeeded to induce the yugoslavian government offer that resolution to the Assembly of UNESCO in Sofia, and involve with other Esperantists for induce governments of China, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, San Marino and Costa Rica back the resolution, visiting during some months embassies of those 7 other lands, he succeeded to convince them that they offer to his governments and that those accept back the resolution and ultimately in Sofia self he solicited between delegations of many tens of lands for vote about the resolution that indeed were accepted.

To such his activity we can add also his few months living with Indian philosopher and political activist Vinoba Bhave and many relations with chiefs and bosses in cities and regions.

Polyglot

Tibor Sekelj was a polyglot. He learnt until good usage and could talk in various periods entirely three tens of languages. Nine from them he preserved live and actively until the end of life : Hungarian, Serbian, German, Esperanto, Italian, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese. Only in three, namely Spanish, Esperanto and the Serbo-croatian, he wrote – not even in the parental Hungarian, because he did not know it quite a lot for writing needs. He commonly also interpreted between various languages during his journeys and also later during his activity for PIF during acceptances, arrangements etc.

I learnt around 25 of languages. Many I forgot, because I no any more used them. I succeeded to continuously recall 9 of languages that even now I talk. Those 9 of languages do not suffice for whole world, but the most of the world I can visit and communicate.

—Interview with Stipan Milodanoviĉ

Esperantist

The whole life of after he became Esperantist in Zagreb in 1930 he was faithful to Esperanto. His activities for Esperanto are huge. He founded ten of land Esperanto-Associations in South America and Asia and Esperanto-societies in 50 of cities everywhere across the world.

He was more than 20 years committee member of UEA and principally desserves for the second resolution of UNESCO positively addressing Esperanto in 1985. He wrote third of his books originally in Esperanto. He wrote terrific articles for very various Esperanto-newspapers and organs and he drafted Geografia Revuo, E-Gazeto and Velo. But his revolutionary activity for Esperanto related to his foundation and guide of International Institute for Officialization of Esperanto (IOE) that launched the slogan « better practice than 100-hours sermon » like this requiring more open activity of Esperantists. In that frame he especially engaged in range of tourism and organised set of arrangements and bus caravans across the world. That activity had as the most precious consequence the start of International Puppet Theatre Festival (PIF) in Zagreb and a bit more later the foundation of Internacia Kultura Servo (International Cultural Service). PIF exists yet currently after 44 years and distribute annually prize « Tibor Sekelj » for the most humanitarian message. His very intensive activity in the frame of IOE affected seriously to the change of classical neutral Esperanto-movement unfairly to practical application (as in culture and tourism) and on the other hand to more elastic conception of impartiality that followed TEJO.

His slogan for the success: « For success three causes are needed: exactly define the target, move to it and persist until the finish. »

Trainer

He also affected to pedagogy of Esperanto. He deserves that one launched the first televised course of Esperanto in China in 1980s, he wrote some textbooks . The authors were A. and T. Sekelj and the illustrations did Klas Aleksandar and Novak Koloman. It existed also in form of transparencies - actually movies - one can project. Himself led crowd of Esperanto-courses everywhere where he travelled and also took part in the improvement of the «Zagreb method» textbook. Tibor Sekelj as trainer executed between 7000 and 8000 speeches, most commonly with transparencies about his journeys, wrote innumerable articles between that monumentally commonly about Esperanto in national press and were interviewed many hundred times for national radios, newspapers and televisions and always he also informed about Esperanto.

World view

Everywhere where he was he bothered during his speeches and activities affect the folks understand his simple live philosophy: Folk as individual is the most precious creature in his circuit that he best knows regardless about his descent or education (That most obviously expresses his book « Kumewawa ») and folk as cultural social being is product of the whole mankind because products that invented very various populations take part in all his everyday functions; he accustomed to illustrate that by means of dining table explaining that some other population invented each from the settings, that some other population first developed and planted each from the foods and that only already at the table many tens of cultures take part. Hence for him every folk was respectable individual and everything what we have is result of the efforts of all populations and therefore belong to all. That humanistic philosophy obviously is not yet understood and are far necessary in the current profit-hungry and eager for possession society.

Artist

Tibor was except writer – so literary artist - also painter and sculptor what he also learnt in Zagreb during his studying time. During his initial live time in Argentina he survived himself also by means of design of portraits and later he commonly self illustrated his books.

Writer

Tibor is between the biggest original Esperanto-writers from the viewpoint of his profile in non esperantist world, maybe the most famous, therefore according to the number of his translated books from Esperanto. The most successful his work « Kumewawa - the son of jungle » is translated to three tens of languages of almost all continents and several others to two until ten languages. He wrote originally in three languages: Esperanto, Spanish and Serbo-croatian. From his pen were born three tens of various volumes, chiefly travel describing essays, novels, stories and poetry. Even some curiosities. And all they had hundred of publications in various languages.

The most successful his book is « Kumewawa – the son of jungle » (originally written in Esperanto) no only since it was most a lot translated (it appeared except in Esperanto in 22 languages and was translated to some additional that maybe will appear) but also since it the Japanese ministry for education proclaimed in 1983 as one from the 4 best juvenile literature published in this year in Japan and were advocated to the youth. Because of that it appeared in Japanese in 300.000 copies, probably in biggest amount in that ever appeared book translated from Esperanto as language of original. All versions and all publications of Kumewawa appeared in one million of copies.

« Gale above Aconcagua » is yet textbook about mountaineering in some South America lands. According to its spreading show that it is book that pleases to all generations in all parts of the world. Set of his stories won prizes of Belartaj Konkursoj and his poetry although little is far precious and worthy of study.

Works

The works of Tibor Sekelj, novels and recordings of his travels, contain interesting ethnographic observations. He also wrote guides and essays on Esperanto, the international language. The majority of his books were originally written in Esperanto, but were translated into many national languages. Tibor Sekelj is undoubtedly the most often translated Esperanto author.

Descriptions of travels

• Tempestad sobre el Aconcagua, novel about his expedition in the Argentinian massif of the Aconcagua, originally written in Spanish, Buenos Aires: Ediciones Peuser, 1944, 274 pages.
  • Oluja na Aconcagui i godinu dana kasnije, Serbo-Croatian translation by Ivo Večeřina, Zagreb 1955, 183 pages.
  • Burka na Aconcagui, Czech-Slovakian translation by Eduard V. Tvarožek, Martin: Osveta, 1958, 149 pages.
  • Tempesto super Akonkagvo, translation in Esperanto by Enio Hugo Garrote, Belgrade: Serbio Esperanto-Ligo, 1959, 227 pages.
• Por tierras de Indios, about the experiences of the author under the Indians in Brazil, originally written in Spanish, 1946.
  • Durch Brasiliens Urwälder zu wilden Indianerstämmen, German translation by Rodolfo Simon, Zürich: Orell Füssli, 1950, 210 pages.
  • Pralesmi Brazílie, tchec translation by Matilda V. Husárová, Martin: Osveta, 1956, 161 pages.
  • V dezeli Indijancev po brazilskih rekah gozdovih, Slovenian translation by Peter Kovacic, Maribor: Zalozba obzorja Maribor, 1966, 252 pages.
  • Tra lando de indianoj, translation in Esperanto by Ernesto Sonnenfeld, Malmö: Eldona Societo Esperanto, 1970, 186 pages.
• Excursión a los indios del Araguaia (Brasil), about the Indians Karajá and Javaé in Brazil, in Spanish, 1948.
• Nepalo malfermas la pordon, originally written in Esperanto, La Laguna: Régulo, 1959, 212 pages.
  • Nepla otvara vrata, Serbian translation by Antonije Sekelj, Belgrad 1959, 212 pages.
  • Window on Nepal, English translation by Marjorie Boulton, London: Robert Hale, 1959, 190 pages.
  • Nepal odpira vrata, Slovenian translation by Boris Grabnar, Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga, 1960, 212 pages.
• Ĝambo rafiki. La karavano de amikeco tra Afriko, originally written in Esperanto, Pise: Edistudio, 1991, 173 pages, ISBN 88-7036-041-5.
  • Djambo rafiki. Pot karavane prijateljstva po Afriki, Slovenian translation by Tita Skerlj-Sojar, Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga, 1965, 184 pages.
• Ridu per Esperanto, Zagreb 1973, 55 pages.
• Premiitaj kaj aliaj noveloj, seven short novels, originally written in Esperanto, Zagreb: Internacia Kultura Servo, 1974, 52 pages.
• Kumeŭaŭa, la filo de la ĝangalo, children's book about the life of Indians in Brazil, originally written in Esperanto.
  • 1st edition Antwerp 1979.
  • 2nd edition Rotterdam: UEA, 1994, 94 pages.
  • Kumeuaua djungels son, Swedish translation by Leif Nordenstorm, Boden 1987, 68 pages.
  • Kumevava, az őserdő fia, Hungarian translation by István Ertl, Budapest, 1988.
  • Kumevava, syn ĝunhliv, Ukrainian translation by Nadija Hordijenko Andrianova, Kyiv, Veselka, 1989.
  • Kumevava, sin prašume, Serbian translation, 2003.
  • Kumewawa - Iben il-Ġungla, Maltese translation by Karmel Mallia, Rabat, 2010
• Mondo de travivaĵoj, autobiography and adventures throughout five continents. Pise: Edistudio, 1-a eldono 1981, 2-a eldono 1990, 284 pages, ISBN 8870360121.
• Neĝhomo, story about the life during an ascension Vienna: Pro Esperanto 1988, 20 pages.

• Kolektanto de ĉielarkoj, novels and poems, originally written in Esperanto, Pise: Edistudio, 1992, 117 pages, ISBN 88-7036-052-0.
• Temuĝino, la filo de la stepo, novel for the young, translated from Serbian by Tereza Kapista, Belgrade 1993, 68 pages, ISBN 8690107347.

Books about Esperanto

• La importancia del idioma internacional en la educacion para un mundo mejor, Mexico: Meksika Esperanto-Federacio, 1953, 13 pages.
• The international language Esperanto, common language for Africa, common language for the world, translated from Esperanto to English by John Christopher Wells, Rotterdam: UEA, 1962, 11 pages.
• Le problème linguistique au sein du mouvement des pays non alignés et la possibilité de le resoudre, Rotterdam: UEA, 1981, 16 pages (= Esperanto-dokumentoj 10).
  • La lingva problemo de la Movado de Nealiancitaj Landoj - kaj gia ebla solvo, Rotterdam: UEA, 1981, 12 pages (= Esperanto-dokumentoj 13).

Manuals of Esperanto

• La trovita feliĉo, novel for children, Buenos Aires: Progreso, 1945.
• with Antonije Sekelj: Kurso de Esperanto, laŭ aŭdvida struktura metodo, 1960, 48 pages.
• with Antonije Sekelj: Dopisni tečaj Esperanta, Belgrad: Serba Esperanto-Ligo, 1960, 63 pages.

Works of ethnography

During his travels in South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania he collected important ethnographic information which he gave to the Ethnographic Museum of Zagreb.

His principal ethnographic work is:

• Elpafu la sagon, el la buŝa poezio de la mondo (Pull out the arrow, about oral poetry of the world ), Roterdamo: UEA, 1983, 187 paĝoj, ISBN 92-9017-025-5 (= Serio Oriento-Okcidento 18),

where he presents translations of recordings he made during his travels.

Dictionary

Tibor Sekelj collaborated on a dictionary in 20 languages about museology, Dictionarium Museologicum, appearing in 1986. — ISBN 9635711743

Sources

• Tibor Sekelj, after Zamenhof the most important esperantist in the non-esperantist world, Zlatko Tišljar, Esperanto-Organ (UEA Rotterdam) June 2011, 104th year, nro 1248 (6), pages 124-125
• Tibor Sekelj, after Zamenhof the most important esperantist in the non-esperantist world, Zlatko Tišljar for the Pantheon of www.edukado.net
• Interviews appearing in MATICA and OKO in 1987
• based on automatic translation from eo:Tibor Sekelj with vikitradukilo / Apertium

External links

• Additional informations about Tibor Sekelj (Esperanto)
• Books of and about Tibor Sekeljin Collections for Constructed Languages and Esperantomuzeum (de), (English)
• Palm Tree Falls At Midnight (A short story by Tibor Sekelj, in Serbian language)
• Faces: The world traveler that returned, Spomenka Štimec, 27/11/2011