STA, 21 October 2021 - Svetlana Makarovič, a leading Slovenian poet and children's author, is the winner of this year's Ježek Award, an accolade celebrating creative and witty radio and television works. Makarovič was labelled as the most representative contemporary author of fairy tales who has also made her mark on theatre and chanson.
Makarovič's works are distinguished not only by literary intertextuality but also versatility, as she draws from many languages, literatures and cultures, the jury said.
She has introduced several new features into Slovenian children's literature: original imaginary spaces, perspectives and construction, subversive style and linguistic ingenuity, and social criticism for children.
Her works have dual message - the text is meant for children while the context is for adults.
She has also been recognised abroad; in 2020 she was nominated for the ALMA, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Makarovič has also left a strong mark on theatre, especially the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, where her fairy tale Sapra the Little Mouse has been made into a hit play.
The jury also pointed to Makarovič's chansons and lyrics she has written for other musicians. According to literary and music critic Jure Potokar, chanson seems to be as natural artistic environment for Makarovič as poetry and storytelling.
Through chanson, her poetry has also reached those who do not read books, let alone poetry.
The Ježek award has been presented by the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija annually since 1989 to mark RTV Slovenija Day on 28 October. Last year it went to musician and poet Vlado Kreslin.
