Skopje, 11 March 2026 (MIA) — Vancho Polazarevski has been named the winner of the 2026 Olivera Nikolova Award for his manuscript "A Strange Incident in the Town of Hats and Boards," contest organizers announced Wednesday.

The announcement was made on the 90th birth anniversary of Olivera Nikolova, the author of "Zoki Poki" (1963), who left an enduring legacy in Macedonian children’s literature before her death in 2024.

The award, established by the Ars Lamina publishing house in her name, recognizes the best unpublished novel for children and young adults.

A three-member jury unanimously selected Polazarevski’s manuscript from 46 entries. The jury included writer and editor Olivera Kjorveziroska, literature professor Jovanka Denkova and writer Ermis Lafazanovski, the winner of last year's award.

The jury described the novel as a witty, "subtly engaging ecological manuscript" that uses wordplay and an unusual narrative voice to address environmental issues. The story draws parallels to real-world situations, such as recent waste management problems in the country's capital.

"The novel highlights the importance of ecology and understanding the environment as our only truly common home," the jury said, noting the book’s serious message delivered through humor.

Vancho Polazarevski (b. 1951, Gostivar) is a journalist and author known for his children's poetry, riddles, plays and short stories. "A Strange Incident in the Town of Hats and Boards" is his first children's novel. It will be published later this year.

Ars Lamina and Nikolova’s family established the prize in 2025 to honor the author's legacy and promote new children’s books written in Macedonian. mr/