Welcome to the world of literary contests in Montenegro, where it seems everything is anything but a fair game! At the first Funk Book contest, organized by the University of Montenegro, Sonja Ražnatović won with her novel “Kismet.” But is everything really as great as it looks? The expert jury, made up of five university professors, decided to award prizes based on manuscripts signed only with codes, which sounds like a good move for objectivity. But was it really so?
A total of 28 submissions arrived, with two disqualified for not meeting the contest’s criteria. The winning manuscript, “Kismet,” deals with universal themes of identity, love, death, and family heritage, while the second and third place works, “Robbery Social Crime” and “Hollywood, Bre,” offered critical takes on Montenegrin society and everyday life.
But here’s where the drama kicks in! The jury noticed that all awarded manuscripts have serious flaws in language use and structure, meaning the books will need significant editing before publication. Is this a sign that the contest was more of a formality than a true promotion of literature?
While the winner celebrates, other authors and readers wonder — how much did this contest really contribute to the affirmation of Montenegro’s literary scene? Is this just another example of culture being used as a smokescreen for something else?
If you have thoughts on this, or know someone who participated, drop a comment below. Let the people’s voice be heard, because literature isn’t just for the elite — it’s for all of us!
