Skopje, 10 February 2026 (MIA) — Olivera Kjorveziroska, Branko Cvetkoski, Hana Korneti, Elizabeta Sheleva and Ahmet Selmani have won this year's Macedonian Writers Association awards for best fiction, best poetry collection, best children's book, best book of essays and best book published in one of the languages ​​of the country's ethnic communities, contest organizers told a press conference Tuesday.

According to MWA president Zhivko Grozdanovski, 53 books published in 2025 were submitted to this year's contest.

Of the 17 works submitted for the Stale Popov Best Fiction prize, Olivera Kjorveziroska's novel "Three Marys" (Ars Lamina) was chosen for the award, jury president Sonja Stojmenska Elzeser said. The book stood out for "its stylistic perfection and the revelation of the potential of the language" as well as "the intricate emotional knots of the female characters," according to the jury.

Of the 16 works submitted for the Aco Shopov Best Poetry Book award, Branko Cvetkoski's "Imaginations: Lyrical Etudes from Another World" (Makavej) was chosen by a panel of judges chaired by Ivan Dzheparoski. According to them, his book "captivates with its depth, refinement and musicality, showing us that true and supreme lyrical poetry can elevate us above the banality and triviality of meaningless living."

Of the 13 works submitted for the Vancho Nikoleski Best Children's Book award, Hana Korneti's "Ilina and the Secrets of Baba's Tooth" (Ili-ili) was announced the winner by jury chair Simona Jovanovska. The book "promotes the values ​​of friendship, empathy and self-knowledge while at the same time encouraging readers to think critically and fantasize deeply."

Four works were submitted for the Dimitar Mitrev Critical Essay Collection prize. A panel of judges chaired by Natasha Avramovska selected Elizabeta Sheleva's "Literary Harmonies and Mirrors" (Sivejan) the winner for the author's "pursuit of the transnational aspects of contemporary literary production" and treatment of "topics and aspects of the cultural reflection on the literary scene but also of the dominant moment of culture in general."

Three works were submitted for the Bridge Award for best book published in one of the languages ​​of the country's ethnic communities. Ahmet Selmani's "Embsuame Paskajore" ("Infinitive Lesson", Akademska misla) was chosen for the prize by a jury chaired by Delvina Krluku. Selmani's poetry was described as featuring "linguistic economy, clear metaphors and a strong ethical focus."

The winners will receive their awards Friday noon at MWA's 79th anniversary celebration. mr/