Vladimir Pištalo (1960) is a prominent figure among contemporary Serbian writers. His notable literary works include poetic prose pieces like Slikovnica (Picture Book), Manifesti (Manifestoes) and Čajevi Marsa / Noći (Teas of Mars / Nights). He’s also acclaimed for story collections such as Kraj veka (The End of the Century), Vitraž u sećanju (Memory of Stained Glass) and Priče iz celog sveta (Stories from Around the World), as well as novels including Millennium in Belgrade, Tesla, A Portrait with Masks, Venecija (Venice) and Sunce ovog dana: Pismo Andriću (The Sun of This Day: A Letter to Andrić). He also authored a book of essays Značenje džokera (The Meaning of the Joker).

The novel Tesla, A Portrait with Masks received the NIN Award and the National Library of Serbia Award for the Most Widely Read Book. It’s now a part of reading lists for both primary and secondary schools. It was published successfully in all the former Yugoslav republics, and it had three editions in the United States. In late 2011, a special audiobook version was released in the interpretation of actor Petar Božović, followed by an English version for the American audience, narrated by the renowned actor L. J. Ganser, in 2015. Tesla has been translated into 20 languages, making Pištalo one of the most widely translated domestic authors. The book even became a bestseller in Turkey. The novel Millennium in Belgrade has been translated into 10 languages, and both books have served as inspirations for theatre productions.

Apart from these works, Pištalo has also authored two unusual literary-biographical books: Aleksandrida, a mythical tale about the life of Alexander the Great, and the novella Corto Maltese. Agora released Pištalo’s Selected Works in 2009 and 2010.

Pištalo has been honoured with several major literary awards, including the NIN, Meša Selimović, Borislav Stanković, Todor Manojlović, Grigorije Božović and Teodor Pavlović awards. He’s also earned the Miloš Đurić Award for his translation of Charles Simic’s poetry.

Until February 2021, he resided in America, teaching world and American history at the University of Worcester in Massachusetts. Since 2021, he has served as the director of the National Library of Serbia in Belgrade.