Serbian author Dragan Velikić has been awarded the prestigious ‘Prozart’ literary award at the 14th ‘PRO-ZA Balkan’ festival, recognizing his significant contributions to the development of literature in the Balkans. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 15 at the Museum of the City of Skopje. Velikić, known for his profound impact on contemporary Serbian literature, expressed that the award holds special meaning for him as it comes from readers who share a similar cultural background.
Velikić’s recent work, ‘Bečki roman’, has been highlighted for its exploration of themes such as distrust and connection within the Balkan region. He noted the importance of literature in bridging new and different perspectives, emphasizing that the award is particularly gratifying as it follows the publication of this novel. The ‘Prozart’ award, over its 14-year history, has recognized authors who have created authentic literary worlds, placing Velikić among esteemed company.
The ‘PRO-ZA Balkan’ festival in Skopje is a significant cultural event, attracting notable literary figures from across the region. This year’s festival features guests such as Albanian writer Dijana Culi, Bulgarian author and screenwriter Nikolaj Terzijski, Slovenian novelist Gabriela Babnik Uatara, Irish-British author and producer Mike Downey, Serbian writer Hristina Radović Andrić, and Greek psychologist and children’s author Zinovia Vasileiadi. The festival is organized by the publishing house ‘Prozart Media’ from Skopje.
Velikić, born in Belgrade in 1953 and raised in Pula, is one of the most translated and recognized contemporary Serbian authors. His literary career began with the novel ‘Via Pula’, which established him as a prominent figure in the postmodern Serbian prose wave. Subsequent novels like ‘Astragan’ and ‘Danteov trg’ further cemented his status in the Yugoslav literary scene. Velikić has twice received Serbia’s most prestigious prose award, the Nin, for his novels ‘Ruski prozor’ (2007) and ‘Islednik’ (2015). His works have not only been bestsellers in Serbia but have also earned international recognition, including the Budapest City Award for Literature in 2013 and the International Literary Award ‘Vilenica’ in 2019. He is also a member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts and Literature ‘Széchenyi’.
The ‘Prozart’ award committee, consisting of Prof. Dr. Ermis Lafazanovski (chair), Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Prokopiev, and Dejan Trajkoski, praised Velikić for his stylistic refinement and engagement with intimate character states, often incorporating autobiographical elements. They noted his keen interest in the political, social, and cultural transformations occurring in the region, which is reflected in his comprehensive and polished prose style.
The recognition of Velikić with the ‘Prozart’ award underscores the cultural significance of contemporary Serbian literature and its impact within the Balkans. It highlights the ongoing dialogue between literature and the evolving socio-political landscape in the region, affirming the role of literary works in fostering understanding and connection among diverse cultural backgrounds.
