from RARE SWAN EMPORIUM – our new dedicated ‘In Translation’ Imprint
Ballerini Book Press, in partnership with The European Union Prize for Literature, is delighted to present the first international English Edition of Tanja Stupar-Trifunović’s debut novel “Satovi u majčinoj sobi”, winner of European Union Prize for Literature in 2016.
The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) was created in 2009 by a consortium formed by the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), the Federation of European Publishers (FEP), and the European Writers’ Council (EWC). The prize aimed to celebrate the richness and diversity of contemporary European literature by highlighting emerging literary voices across the continent.
Books are shortlisted at across Europe at national level ( a selection of countries nominated each prize cycle) by organisations experienced in promoting national literature abroad and assess books for literary quality, translation potential, and export potential. These organisations must adhere to a set of standard selection rules. Adjustments to criteria may be made, in agreement with the EUPL Steering Committee, to better reflect national literary markets. If adjustments need to be made to the criteria, they are described separately for each country. As further stated on the EUPL website, “the primary goal of the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) is to celebrate and promote Europe’s rich and diverse contemporary literary scene by recognising outstanding fiction books by emerging authors from the 40 countries participating in the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The EUPL brings their works into the spotlight, encourage translations and extends their reach beyond national borders, and fosters a more interconnected and inclusive European literary scene.”
A booklet with excerpts from the works of all shortlisted authors will be published in original language and translated into English.
The winner receives EUR 10 000 as well as financial contribution for two translations
The two special mentions receive EUR 5000 as well as financial contribution for one translation
The other shortlisted authors receive financial contribution for one translation.
All the shortlisted authors are actively promoted on key book fair throughout Europe
EUPL is co-financed by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. Since its inauguration including 2024, 189 authors have participated in the prize.
An Award-winning Literary Talent from the Baltic Diaspora: Tanja Stupar- Trifunović
CLOCKS IN MY MOTHER’S ROOM is the second novel Ballerini Book Press has the pleasure of publishing. In January 2024, SINCE I BOUGHT A SWAN was released. That title, references the Greek mythological awakening of Leda, seduced by Zeus, in disguise as a swan. From this historical point of reference the novel follows the fateful meeting of two very different women, and the consequences of an infatuation briefly blossoming into romance and its unravelling in dark obsession.
The threads exploring the lives of women, culturally stifled and socially victimised by old traditional values, which both objectify and victimise women, stalling them into passive roles, especially during a time of war, is among the main threads weaving together the story of CLOCKS IN MY MOTHER’S ROOM. Told through the rebellious voice of a daughter seeking to reconcile her past, this novel is a poignant and striking unearthing of what it means to be a woman, a daughter, a lover, a wife and a mother in a culture which struggles to break free from entrenched misogyny and deeply rooted patriarchal values. Tanja’s courage and strength is evident across both novels as she advocates for women being who they are; flawed and gracious, brave and resilient in the face of soul crushing challenges. It is also testament to Professor Petar Penda that he is Tanja’s chosen collaborator in bringing both books to an English speaking audience.
Tanja Stupar- Trifunović should be a household name. She was born in Croatia in 1977. Her accomplishments as a Croatian and Serbian writer are extensive; Clocks in My Mother’s Room was short listed for the 2014 NIN Award Serbia’s leading Serbian literary prize. In 2013 it won the Zlatna sova third-place award for the best novel manuscript in Serbian language. In 2008, Stupar-Trifunović was shortlisted in the poetry category of the CEE Literature Award. Her poetry collection, O čemu misle varvari dok doručkuju, was shortlisted for the ProCredit Bank Literature Award for East and Southeast Europe. In 2009 Glavni junak je čovjek koji se zaljubljuje u nesreću won the Fra Grgo Martić Literary Award.
CLOCKS IN MY MOTHER’S ROOM IS NOW AVAILABLE ON PRE-ORDER !
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