News reporter, Svetlana Mandic, once again confirmed her exceptionality in the world of journalism and literary creativity. Her reportage book "When Silence Speaks" won the prestigious "Zologa" award, which is awarded by the "Vladimir Mijušković" Literary Association from Nikšić.
This recognition, which Svetlana Mandić won for her authentic approach in intertwining journalism and literature, is another proof of her tireless work on stories that touch hearts and open eyes to the everyday challenges of ordinary people. The book "When Silence Speaks" brings a humanist appeal and a deep reflection on human destinies, which made it recognizable and unique on the domestic literary scene.
A large number of books of various genres were submitted to this year's contest for the "Zaloga" award, which was announced on October 29, 2024. Jury in composition Jelena Međedović, Vojislav Mijušković and president Radoje Femic, after a fundamental analysis of the received works, decided to divide the award between three exceptional books:
"One tapia" Radislav Gardašević (Association of Writers of Montenegro, Podgorica, 2023) – for superior poetry.
"Punnels of Eternity" Slavko Milić (Literary community "Vladimir Mijušković", Nikšić, 2023) – for a prose work that combines fiction and reality.
"When Silence Speaks" by Svetlana Mandić (Samizdat, Nikšić, 2022) – for superb journalistic creativity translated into literary form.
The jury especially pointed out that Mandić's book "renew faith in the possibility of high creative achievements in journalism" and is a treatise on the challenges of ordinary people, whose fates often go unnoticed in public discourse.
"By selecting journalistic materials, the author collected texts that both thematically and phenomenologically go beyond the 'foam of the day' brought about by everyday life and grow into genuine tracts about the life challenges of so-called ordinary people, i.e. those whose fate most often encounters the indifference of public discourse. The book 'When the silence speaks', therefore, represents a strong humanist appeal, reminding readers that happiness and unhappiness, on one, or everyday ordinariness and surprising originality, on the other hand, they have a recognizable human face," the jury explained.
The competition for the "Pledge" award of the "Vladimir Mijušković" Literary Community showed the importance of the literary and cultural mission that this Literary Community continuously achieves in the best way. This shows not only the number, but also the quality of the books that arrived, says the announcement.
"In the competition of poetry books, Radislav Gardašević's book My Deed, which represents a synthesis of the author's recognizable poetics, has imposed itself with its superior quality. Carefully composed and written in a long interval, this book of poetry deftly synthesizes the experiences of traditional and modern poetry, profiling the author as an authentic lyricist whose poetic voice radiates a unique creative magnetism. The testamentary character of the book, suggested by the title phrase - My deed - responds in the best way to the spirit and concept of the contest, becoming a true artistic pledge of the domestic literary scene", the jury explained.
In the competition of prose works, Slavko Milić's book "Puškarnice vejenosti" stood out as a unique read, which in a very unusual way represents the experience of fictional and non-fictional storytelling. Based on folklore tradition, i.e. to authentic stories from the Montenegrin past, with this work the author confirms the thesis that the writer is always indebted to his homeland, and that this debt should be repaid in the most noble way, through story and storytelling. In this context, "Puškarnice večenosti" represents a precious wreath of stories in which the forgotten ethical ideals of classical Montenegro are reminded, which, as the author discreetly warns, should be returned to in this uncertain time.
Svetlana Mandić, multiple award-winning journalist, once again proved that quality journalism can be an art. Her work continues to inspire both colleagues from the media and the general public. The "Zaloga" award is just another acknowledgment of the effort and dedication he brings to his stories.
The "Pledge" award ceremony will be held on December 20, 2024, as part of the December Days of Culture in Nikšić. This event will be an opportunity to recognize authors whose works enrich the cultural and literary scene of Montenegro.
Bonus video:
