It is with great pleasure that we inform you that the regional short story contest – Biber – has been announced for the second time. The subject of the contest is reconciliation in the context of legacy of wars and violence in the countries of former Yugoslavia, particularly since 1991. We invite authors writing in Albanian, Macedonian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, Croatian and Serbian languages to send us their stories. The invitation is addressed to acclaimed authors, as well as the so far unpublished ones. The contest is open until June 14 2017.
Jury members are Tatjana Gromaca, Faruk Sehic and Kim Mehmeti.
The contest is organised by Biber team in cooperation with the Centre for Nonviolent Action Sarajevo-Belgrade.
For more information please visit Biber’s web page: biber.nenasilje.org.
About the Subject
Reconciliation is not a popular term, as it is more often than not identified with the concept of forgiveness or the idea that everything needs to be forgotten and future be faced instead. We profoundly believe it is impossible to forget the horrors of loss, suffering and injustice people had endured.
However, if we view reconciliation as giving up hatred, as seeking ways to attain justice, but in such a way as to not inflict injustice upon others, as a chance to build a more certain, safer and freer future for all, then we believe it is something we urgently need. We therefore wish to invite authors to think about reconciliation in new and creative ways and inspire us with stories that overcome existing prejudices and entrenched hostilities, with stories that move boundaries. And thus, maybe, give a much needed incentive to our societies.
We would like to ask you to inform anyone you feel might be interested about this contest.
Cheers!
Biber and CNA team