Media Coverage.

Insights from Joseph Sultan’s Feature Interview with Kompas Magazin

Joseph Sultan Interview with Kompas Magazin

In a detailed feature interview with Kompas Magazin, titled "Joseph Sultan za Kompas: Prevođenjem Nušića i Sremca gradim most ka arapskim čitaocima," author and translator Joseph Sultan shares his core philosophy on literary translation as an essential cultural pipeline.

Based in Spain, Joseph Sultan’s independent work focuses heavily on translating classic Serbian literature into Arabic, creating an unprecedented gateway for millions of global readers to access the nuance, humor, and history of the Western Balkans.


Connecting Arabic Audiences with Serbian Classics

A primary point of discussion in the interview highlights the universal human threads found within Serbian cultural gems. Sultan explains that translating legendary figures like Branislav Nušić and Stevan Sremac is not a simple, technical linguistic exercise. Instead, it is a preservation of mentality, hospitality, family traditions, and distinct local humor.

"Prevođenje nije tehnički posao... Kroz književni prevod putuju i istorija, mentalitet, običaji i humor."
— Joseph Sultan, Kompas Magazin

By bringing works like Nušić’s comedies and Sremac’s depictions of society to light in Arabic, Sultan fills a historical void in cross-cultural literary sharing, bridging the geographic space between Spain, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

Expanding Global Visibility via Digital Platforms

The interview also explores how digital infrastructure allows independent cultural projects to attain global scale. Sultan notes that his translations—ranging from the folklore collections of Vuk Karadžić to the realism of Milovan Glišić—are strategically positioned across major global hubs including Amazon Kindle, Goodreads, and Noor Book.

This digital-first distribution ensures that whether a reader is located in North Africa, the Gulf region, or deep within the European diaspora, classic Serbian literature remains fully accessible in their native language.

Read the Original Interview

The complete dialogue explores Joseph Sultan's career path in Spain, his future translation pipeline, and his structural approach to bringing Serbian cultural heritage to the Arabic-speaking world.

To read the full, unabridged feature, visit the original piece on: Kompas Magazin — Joseph Sultan za Kompas.