Poeta Doctus: Professor Slavko Perović, MD and his Amarcord

Professor Slavko Perović, MD (Preko, Croatia, 17 Feb 1921- Zadar, 16 Jan 2007), a prominent citizen of Zadar and one of the Croatian leading paediatricians, was a man of numerous tastes and great culture. He used to say about himself that he was "an admirer of art and beauty" so that, in addition to his medical profession, he was engaged in photography and poetry. Neither did he neglect music, or painting. In addition, he was known as a multi-sport athlete. Verses and the eye of the camera were for Dr Perović an occasional escape and shelter, a pastime, a return to the cherished childhood places, the insular microcosm where he would retreat after strenuous hospital work. At the end of 2004, a small collection of his poems and artistic photographs named Litrati was issued by Matica hrvatska. It truthfuly reflects the doctor's lyrical side, which we always loved in him. It is a version of Fellini's Amarcord featuring Kali and Preko, and written in the native chakavian dialect.