Five Finalists Vie for Croatia's 'Benjamin Tolić' Literary Award

The literary award "Benjamin Tolić" has announced its finalists, selecting five works from 21 submissions that explore Croatian cultural identity. The shortlisted titles represent a diverse range of genres, including novels, short stories, and critical essays, highlighting the richness of contemporary Croatian literature.

The nominated novels are "Crnica Blues" by Tomislav Šovagović, "Delfin" by Milana Vuković Runjić, and "Lovci na iluzije" by Zoran Jurišić. "Crnica Blues" is described as a warm, nostalgic story set in a Šibenik neighborhood, while "Delfin" is a lyrical novel praised for its rich language and historical context, drawing parallels with Dubrovnik poets. "Lovci na iluzije" delves into ancient Slavic mythology and the Illyrian tradition within the Poljica Principality.

Also in contention are Helena Peričić Herenda's short story collection "Zaštićene vrste" (Protected Species), which empathetically addresses vulnerable groups and moral values, and Matija Štahan's collection of criticism and essays, "Uskrsnuće" (Resurrection). The award, organized by the Croatian Writers' Society and its foundation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, aims to promote prose works published in Croatian during 2025.

The winner will be revealed on July 8, known as Benjamin's Day, during an event in Posušje. The "Benjamin Tolić" award recognizes the best prose work, including non-fiction, essays, novels, or short story collections, that engages with the theme of Croatian cultural identity.