Skopje, 4 February 2025 (MIA) — The Macedonian Writers Association has announced the books shortlisted for its annual awards for best poetry collection, best book written in one of the languages of the country's ethnic communities, best book of essays, best work of fiction and best children's book published in 2024.

According to the MWA in a press release, three poetry collections made the shortlist for the Aco Shopov Best Poetry Book award: "The Language Only We Understand" by Zoran Jakimoski (PNV, 2024), "The Echo (Of the Unheard)" by Suzana Miceva (self-published, 2024) and "Dedications and Praises" by Ivan Dzheparoski (Dijalog, 2024).

Three books were shortlisted for the Bridge prize, which is given to the best book written in one of the languages of the country's ethnic communities. They are "Once Upon a Time There Was This House" by Gordana Jovikj Stojkovska (Slovo ljubve, 2024), "The Lightnings of Silence" by Delvina Krluku (self-published, 2024) and "The Mangy Herd Chases After The Author" by Kalosh Çeliku (self-published, 2024).

The three titles that made the shortlist for the Dimitar Mitrev Critical Essay Collection prize are "Literary Monuments" by Natasha Avramovska (Macedonian Literature Institute, 2024), "Women in 19th Century Macedonian Literature" by Slavcho Koviloski (Macedonian Literature Institute, 2024) and "At Home in Silence" by Nikola Madzhirov (Ars Lamina, 2024).

The three books shortlisted for the Stale Popov Best Fiction prize are "The Wind Up" by Igor Angjelkov (Ili-ili, 2024), "Who Killed Edgar Allan Poe" by Vlado Janevski (Ili-ili, 2024) and "The Storyteller" by Zharko Kujundzhiski (Antolog, 2024).

The three books that made the shortlist for the Vancho Nikoleski Best Children's Book award are "Kisses in the Sky" by Ivan Antonovski (Svetulka, 2024), "With a Capital F (A Prose Hymn to Friendship)" by Aleksandar Kujundzhiski (Antolog, 2024) and "The First Spark of L.O.V." by Velko Nedelkovski (Ars Lamina, 2024).

The winners will be announced at a press conference on Feb. 11. The literary awards ceremony will be held on Feb. 13, the MWA's 78th anniversary. mr/