World Poetry Day
World Poetry Day is celebrated on March 21st. It was proclaimed by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1999, “with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.”
Its purpose is to encourage reading, writing, publishing, and teaching poetry worldwide. As stated in the original UNESCO declaration, it aims to “give new recognition and impetus to national, regional, and international poetry movements.”
Poetry was traditionally celebrated in October, and during the 20th century, the global community marked this day on October 15th, the birthday of Virgil, the Roman epic poet and laureate during the reign of Emperor Augustus. The tradition of celebrating Poetry Day in October has persisted in many countries. In the United Kingdom, it is usually observed on the first Thursday of October, while in other countries, it may be marked on a different date in October or even November.
Women in Serbian Literature
Nun Jefimija, born as Jelena Mrnjavčević, was the daughter of nobleman Vojihna and the wife of despot Uglješa. She left behind three significant literary works considered masterpieces of Serbian medieval literature: Lament for the Young Uglješa, Inscription on the Hilandar Curtain, and Eulogy to Prince Lazar.
Milica Stojadinović Srpkinja, a 19th-century writer, published three poetry collections and was recognized as one of the leading poets of her time. She was preceded by Eustahija Arsić, a writer and women's rights advocate, as well as Julijana Radivojević, whose love poems are considered the first written by a woman in Serbia.
Jelena Dimitrijević, a writer, philanthropist, and traveler, published numerous works, including Letters from Niš: About Harems, Letters from Thessaloniki, the novel Nove, and travelogues such as New World or One Year in America and Seven Seas and Three Oceans: A Journey Around the World.
Isidora Sekulić was a prose writer, essayist, academic, and the first female member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Desanka Maksimović, a poet and storyteller, left behind a rich literary legacy of around fifty books of poetry, novels, and travelogues. She also translated poetry from several languages.
Women and the NIN Award
The NIN Award is a literary critics' award for the best novel of the year. First awarded in 1954 to Dobrica Ćosić for his novel Roots, it is considered one of the most prestigious literary honors. Among its recipients are Miloš Crnjanski, Miroslav Krleža, Meša Selimović, and Borislav Pekić. Oskar Davičo received the award three times, while Dobrica Ćosić, Živojin Pavlović, and Dragan Velikić were awarded twice. The prize was not awarded in 1959, with the official explanation that the pause was intended to “stimulate quality.”
A total of six women have received the NIN Award: Milena Marković, Ivana Dimić, Dubravka Ugrešić, Svetlana Velmar-Janković, Grozdana Olujić, and Gordana Ćirjanić. Their works have left an indelible mark on Serbian literature, bringing powerful, authentic voices and addressing themes that have shaped society through different eras.
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