The anniversary dinner party is definitely in the writers' hands, because the shortlist is only for writers.

The 30th Večernica award ceremony has been awarded to a female author, with five works shortlisted for the prestigious recognition of the best Slovenian children's or youth literary work from the previous year. The final selection includes works by four female authors, Andreja Borin, Nela Filipić, Nataša Konc Lorenzutti, Anja Štefan, and Irene Androjna, all of whom have been recognized for their contributions to children’s literature. The award will be announced during a special Večer supplement on September 21, with the actual presentation taking place on September 25 at a gathering of young writers known as Oko besede. The Večernica award, established in 1997 by the magazine Večer, celebrates excellence in Slovenian children's and youth literature. This year's jury, composed of representatives from various cultural and educational institutions, included Argo Norma Bale, president of the Society for Humanistic Issues; Tjaša Gajšek, representative of Večer; Lenart Zajc, representative of the Slovenian Writers' Association; Jerneja Stoviček, representative of the journal Otrok in knjiga; and Mateja Seliškar Kenda, representative of the association of library societies and the IBBY section. The jury initially narrowed down the entries to 15 works before selecting the five finalists. Among the nominated works, several stand out for their unique storytelling and artistic merit. Pesmice za najmanjši žep by Andreja Borin features 31 short poems that capture moments of nature and daily life, creating spaces of wonder, silence, and imagination. The collection is illustrated by Ana Zavadlav, whose art complements the poetic themes. Križemsvet, another entry by Nela Filipić, presents a poignant tale of a grandmother who constantly travels without a permanent home, exploring themes of homelessness, loneliness, and belonging through warmth, humor, and subtle storytelling. The illustrations were created by Igor Šinkovec. Nataša Konc Lorenzutti’s Priročnik za prelisičenje: pesnitve po motivih ljudskih pravljic iz Rezije in ene iz Benečije creatively reimagines folk tales from Rezje and one from Venice using contemporary language, humor, and social commentary. The collection highlights the complex relationship between cleverness and foolishness, with characters crafted to transcend simple oppositions. The illustrations were done by Marjan Manček. Anja Štefan, one of the nominees, previously won the Večernica award in 2017 for Drobtine iz mišje doline. Her latest work, Mala miš, ti loviš, brings together 13 fairy tales that depict a vibrant and diverse community, raising questions about home, society, acceptance, responsibility, and readiness to help. The illustrations were created by Alenka Sottler. Irene Androjna’s Jona na križišču svetov was described by the jury as a multi-layered young adult fantasy novel that connects travel narratives with the core issues of family violence, loss of safety, and emotional trauma. The journey becomes a process of confronting trauma and rebuilding trust. This year's nominations reflect a shift towards more nuanced storytelling, with a greater emphasis on poetry and prose that engage with contemporary social issues while maintaining a sense of wonder and creativity. The absence of dramatic works in the final list suggests a continued focus on narrative depth and thematic complexity within the realm of children's and youth literature.