The International Podgorica Book Fair is a gathering of lovers of the written word, inspiring stories and great life messages these days, and tonight the audience was particularly attracted by the guest appearance Kenan Crnkić, an author whose books have been changing the way of thinking of thousands of people across the Balkans and the world for years.
Known for his works "7 Secrets of Success", "Beware of the Wolf You Feed" and "Overlive Life", Crnkić has developed a recognizable style through his work - honest, lively and deeply emotional. His books have been translated into several languages, while his messages about happiness, success, the meaning of life and personal growth find their way to hundreds of thousands of people every day via social networks.
As a doctor of economics, university professor and successful business leader, Crnkić has a rich international career and numerous awards behind him, but what sets him apart is the way he talks about life - without distance, without big phrases and without pretense.
During the conversation at the fair, Crnkić spoke honestly about his life journey, the creation of his books, and what he considers true success.
"When I started writing, someone told me that I should have a motto for my website. I wrote: life, happiness, success. Later I realized that I was actually writing in reverse order — first a book about success, then about happiness, then about life. And I don't think that's a coincidence. Because, in my opinion, happiness is more important than success, and peace and the meaning of life are even more important than happiness itself. But I believe that everything is possible if we believe and if we shorten our path by listening to the advice of people who have walked that path before us," said Crnkić.
His view of life as a game with two halves left a particularly strong impression on the audience.
Speaking about how people often live by the expectations of others, rather than their own desires, Crnkić explained that we spend the first "half of our lives" trying to satisfy society, family, and imposed standards.
"No one asked us if we wanted to be born. They just threw us into the field of life and said - play. Finish school, college, find a job, start a family, pay off loans. We spend our whole lives chasing some kind of applause: from parents, society, our environment. We prove ourselves to someone, we take revenge on someone. Defiance is a huge motivating factor in the Balkans," said the author.
The second half, he points out, comes when a person finally stops and asks themselves the most important questions.
"I call it the half-time of meaning. It's the moment when we sit down with ourselves and honestly talk about where we are, what we're doing, and whose life we're actually living. That's when we allow our success to catch up with us. In this chaos of life, it's important to stop and ask ourselves; is this really my life and am I at least the majority owner of my time, my decisions, and my happiness," said Crnkić.
His words about the relationship between success and happiness evoked special emotions among those present.
"Success without happiness is the saddest form of failure. It's not just about succeeding in life, it's about making life successful for you. I know people who have millions, billions, and don't have a smile on their face. It's all in vain if you wake up unhappy. Life is lived in your own skin, not through the eyes of others," he pointed out.
Crnkić also spoke about the personal experiences that shaped his most famous books. He says that he wrote each of them primarily for himself — as a response to his own questions, fears, and life turning points.
"'7 Secrets of Success' was written after facing the transience of life. I wrote it as a kind of testament to my son, to leave him what I had learned about success. 'Be careful which wolf you feed' was written during a very difficult period, when I was successful, but not truly happy. I was disappointed in people and I was questioning a lot of things at the time. And through 'Surviving Life' I tried to give myself answers to some of my deepest questions," said the author.
The conversation with Crnkić was led by Jelena Božović, and throughout the event, the hall was filled with emotions, attention, and the audience's strong connection to the author's words.
After the official part of the program, there was a long gathering with readers and a book signing, during which numerous visitors had the opportunity to talk to the author, take photos, and share their personal impressions of the books that, as many say, changed their outlook on life at important moments.
"Instant Poem" by Dušanka Lojpur at the Book Fair
As part of the second day of the 20th International Podgorica Book and Education Fair tonight The promotion of the poetry collection "Instant Poems" by the author was held Dusanka LojpurThis is a collection that brings together cruelly tender, semi-autobiographical verses, born from the need for untold stories to be spoken and translated into poetry.
"Instant Poem" is characterized by a sincere and emotional expression, permeated with powerful images of everyday life and the inner world. Through simple scenes and intimate reflections, the author manages to give ordinary moments a deeper meaning. The verses intertwine self-irony, melancholy and quiet hope, while the poetry remains authentic and personal.
Speaking during the promotion, Lojpur revealed that she turned to poetry relatively late, after many years of writing prose.
"First I started writing prose, which I had been writing for a long time, and then the moment came when it was necessary to start writing poetry. Everything happened instantly, as the title of the collection says. The most important thing was to seize the moment and give myself the freedom to write what I felt, without having to rewrite it later," said Lojpur.
She pointed out that, unlike prose, which requires time and constant return to the text, poetry arises spontaneously and is part of her personal liberation.
Speaking about the creation of the collection, the poet stated that the poems accumulated over time until the moment when she felt the need to share them with the audience.
"I realized that in order to create something else, I had to give what I had done so far to the world or burn it," Lojpur said.
A special place in the collection is occupied by the theme of family, which the author believes is an indispensable part of every person's identity.
"Family defines us to be who we are today. Behind my poetry is also love. If there had not been liberation and reflection on certain things, this collection would not have existed," she pointed out.
Lojpur also said that it is important not to remain trapped in negative emotions, but to try to understand other perspectives and experiences.
The collection also raises the question of partner love, which, he believes, is often written about today through irony and disappointment.
"We need to raise awareness that there are beautiful loves that need to be written about in the most beautiful way possible. It was only when I grew up and understood what love really is that it became easy for me to write a poem about healthy and beautiful love," concluded Lojpur.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
