The "Miladinov
Brothers" award is given for the best book
of poetry published between two editions of the
International Struga Poetry Evenings Festival.
The Miladinov brothers, Dimitar and Konstantin,
are renowned humanists, writers and educationists
from the 19th century, born in the city of Struga.
The older one, Dimitar
Miladinov, was a teacher and collector of popular
songs and stories, and the younger one, Konstantin,
is better known as a poet. During his studies
in Moscow, he wrote the most famous romantic poem
in the Macedonian language, "Longing for
the South". This poem has become a symbol
of the Festival, which traditionally opens with
its verses read in several languages. The Miladinov
brothers ended their lives tragically in the Ottoman
prisons, sentenced unjustly for their cultural
and educational mission among their people.
The "Miladinov
Brothers" award was established in 1963,
and the best book is selected after a publicly
announced competition by the SPE Award Committee.
The award is the most significant poetry prize
in the Republic of Macedonia, recognized as a
national poetry award.
Winners of the "Miladinov
Brothers" national poetry award:
