A ceremonial academy was held in Derventa to present the poets who had received awards at the traditional international competitions Suze Kozare (Tears of Kozara), Pjesma godine Balkana i EU (Balkans and EU poem of the year) and Zlatno pero Ljubljana 2021 (2021 Golden Pen Ljubljana).

The president of the Slovene Writers’ Association and the European Academy of Serbian Sciences and Arts, Saša Gajić, told reporters that

– Kozara is in the hearts of all Serbs, we must know about the suffering of Serbs and inform the younger generations about it, so that it does not happen again – Gajić said.

He added that 50 works from Serbia, BiH, Montenegro, Germany, Austria, Canada and Slovenia came in for the international competition.

Gajić announced that a branch of the European Academy of Serbian Sciences in Arts, already existing in Serbia, Austria and other European countries, would soon be established in Derventa.

The director of the National Library of Gradiška, Snježana Miljković, said that this institution had been a co-organizer of the Suze Kozare competition for years.

– This year, two awards go to Gradiška. The written word lives, poems and literary works are created – says Miljković.

The president of the Serbian Literary Club Vihor Derventa, Nenad Simić, pointed out that this event was important and necessary for the Republic of Srpska, but also for other areas where Serbs survived.

– This brings us together and builds us up, this is how we promote the results achieved in literary arena, how we send the message that what is needed is unity and raising all the values of our Orthodox faith, beautiful customs and traditions of Serbs – said Simić.

The Mayor of Derventa, Milorad Simić, emphasized the importance of holding this academy in Derventa, and commended Vihor members for their engagement in preserving tradition and gathering people from many parts.

– This is one in a series of beautiful events in Derventa on the occasion of the Dormition of the Mother of God – the Day of the City. I am glad that there is working, there is building, but also art celebrating. I am especially happy that our people living in Slovenia do not forget their roots but cherish the memory of the suffering on Kozara with particular respect – Simić pointed out.

The Balkans and EU poem of the year was declared Ako odem (If I go) by Dragana Despić from Teslić, who was awarded a gold plaque. The silver plaque went to Olivera Sinđelić from Sremska Mitrovica for the poem Ne sećam se više (I do not remember anymore), while Miloš Marjanović was awarded the bronze plaque for the poem Jedno ime za ljubav (One name for love).

Poets Milena Drpa from Modriča, Jelena Trajković from Zaječar, and Ratko Popović from Čelinac are other award recipients.

The winner of the Suze Kozare competition is Aleksandar Brašanac with the poem Suze mjesto krvi (Tears instead of blood), the second place went to Branka Blagojević for the poem Ostao sam sam – 1942 (I was left alone – 1942), and the third to Radovan Piljak for the poem Sunce i žica (The Sun and the wire). Ana Arežina, Milan Trivunčić and Nedelјka Đukić Borojević were other award recipients at the Suze Kozare competition.

The ceremonial academy held last night in the premises of the Cultural Center, was organized by the Federation of the Serb Diaspora of Slovenia, Association of Serb Writers of Slovenia and European Academies of Serbian Sciences and Art, in cooperation with the Serbian Literary Club Vihor from Derventa.

The program also included performance by the Bosiljak singing group of the Cultural and Artistic Youth Association from Derventa, who were awarded a significant recognition by the Association of Serb Writers of Slovenia.

Source: RTRS

Photo: SRNA