Skopje, 13 March 2026 (MIA) — Olivera Kjorveziroska has won the 2025 Novel of the Year award for her book "Three Marys," organizers announced Friday.

Kjorveziroska’s novel, published by Ars Libris, was selected from 46 entries. It was one of six books shortlisted for the prize, alongside "Alexander Rides West" by Venko Andonovski, "Unpublished Feuilleton" by Vladimir Ilievski, "Crooked Diana" by Frosina Parmakovska, "Phobos: A Deconstructed Novel" by Sonja Stankovska and "The Returnee with Two Faces" by Ivica Chelikovikj.

Jury chair Kalina Maleska, the 2024 laureate, said the winner was chosen via secret ballot following five rounds of discussion. The jury consisted of Ivan Antonovski, Ivana Trajanoska, Ivan Shopov and Slavko Janevski Foundation representative Katerina Bogoeva.

In its official explanation, the jury described "Three Marys" as a "masterfully written" work that connects three protagonists through the shared setting of a single apartment. 

"The central interest in all three stories is love — reciprocated, unreciprocated or abruptly interrupted," the jury said, noting that the novel explores the conflict between emotional intensity and traditional social norms. 

Olivera Kjorveziroska (b. 1965, Kumanovo) is an award-winning writer and editor. Her works include fiction, poetry, children’s literature and literary criticism. Her previous adult novels are "The Locked Body of Lou" and "Ab’t." She is also the author of several short story collections including "The Streets that are No Longer There." She has won some of the country’s top literary honors, including the Stale Popov and Racin’s Recognition awards.

Now in its 27th year, the Novel of the Year award is given by the Slavko Janevski Foundation. Sponsored by Komercijalna Banka and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the award consists of a statuette, a plaque and Mden 150,000. An official award ceremony is scheduled for mid-May. mr/