Five poetry collections are known to be in the running for the Veronica Award

The five nominated poetry collections for this year’s Veronikina Award have been announced, with the winner set to be revealed on August 25 at the Celje Castle. The award, which celebrates the best poetry collection of the year, will be presented alongside the Poetry Gold Medal and the “Little Veronica” award for the best student poem. The finalists include Ključi by Nataša Velikonja, Kap lje, kap lje by Lare Božak, Fance, Fance! by Blaž Lukan, Nekje notri je uho by Tina Volarič, and Drevo, ki ga pišemo nihče by Lukas Debeljak. The selection was made by a jury composed of literary theorist, poet, and translator Varja Balžalorsky Antić, who chairs the committee, along with poet, writer, and translator Miriam Drev, and cultural journalist and art history doctor Miha Zor. According to the jury, the nominated works stand out for their linguistic originality, diverse poetic approaches, and deep reflection on individual experience and contemporary society. The books were published between last June and this May, reflecting a broad spectrum of poetic expression. Each nominee has been praised for its unique qualities. Blaž Lukan’s Fance, Fance! impressed the jury with its intimate mosaic of memories of his mother, marked by dedication and restrained passion. Nataša Velikonja’s Ključi intertwines personal experience with social critique, highlighting the precarious position of creators and the structure of values in modern society. Lare Božak’s Kap lje, kap lje stood out for its sensitive exploration of language and the creation of new lexical and semantic connections. Tina Volarič’s Nekje notri je uho captured nature and varied forms of life with extraordinary sensitivity, translating them into poetic speech. Lukas Debeljak’s Drevo, ki ga pišemo nihče won over the jury with its linguistically refined and rhythmically structured poetry, inviting readers to engage in multi-layered reading and uncover rich meanings beneath the seemingly dense textual surface. The ceremony will take place during the Veronica Week of Poetry, organized by the Celje Cultural Centre and the Central Library of Celje under the auspices of UNESCO City of Literature. The program includes presentations of the nominated collections, literary discussions, an intermediate performance titled Gib je opeka, and the opening of the renovated Lapidarium on the Savinja Riverbank. The evening will also feature the posthumous presentation of the Poetry Gold Medal for the lifetime work of poet Errika Vouk, while the “Little Veronica” award will be given to Neža Grajfoner from the II. Gymnasium in Maribor for her outstanding student poem. The event marks the culmination of a year-long celebration of poetry in Slovenia, with the Veronica Week serving as a platform for both established and emerging voices in the literary community. The awarding ceremony will bring together poets, writers, critics, and readers, offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of poetic production in the country. As part of the UNESCO City of Literature initiative, the week aims to promote literary culture and provide opportunities for dialogue and exchange among participants. The announcement of the winners will be followed by a formal awards ceremony, further solidifying the role of poetry as a vital component of Slovenian cultural identity.