The jury, consisting of Miladin Berić, Jelena Glišić, and Vid Vicko Vukelić, unanimously decided that among the 120 entries submitted by elementary school students from across the Republic of Srpska, this year's "Zmijanjče" award goes to Tamara Bilbija, a 9th-grade student from OŠ "Dositej Obradović" in Prijedor, for her poem "My Republic of Srpska."
The poem "My Republic of Srpska" is written in a
traditional, hymn-like manner. In all four quatrains, the poetess demonstrates
an admirable command of structured verse, distinguishing her poetic expression
from other entries in the shortlist for this award. In her winning poem, the
poetess addresses the Republic of Srpska in a specific manner, using stylistic
figures, particularly anaphora, in the form of an oath, emphasizing the Holy
Trinity through the traditional Serbian greeting. Of the four equally
high-quality quatrains, we chose the concluding one which provides the poem's
essence: ‘And three times if I had to kiss, / I'd kiss the same, you see! / For
in my soul lives, / Your dear, sacred name,' the jury announced.
In addition to the winning poem, the jury also highlighted
the outstanding quality of the works by the following students: Pavle Petković,
4th grade, OŠ “Danilo Borković” Gradiška; Monika Hričak, 4th grade, OŠ “Jovan
Cvijić” Banja Luka; Vasilije Nikolić, 6th grade, OŠ “Zmaj Jova Jovanović” Banja
Luka; and Milica Mićić, 8th grade, OŠ “Sveti Sava” Bijeljina.
The award will be presented at the ceremonial opening of the
59th Kočić's Gathering in Banja Luka at the end of August.