News

The prestigious regional Meša Selimović Literary Award for the best novel published in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, and Serbia in 2024 has been awarded to Jurica Pavičić for his novel "Matchsticks", a gripping story about a devastating wildfire on the outskirts of the city of Split that gradually unfolds into a haunting investigation of personal and collective guilt.

The Croatian selector Jagna Pogačnik nominated the novel for the award, while the winner was chosen by a jury chaired by Semezdin Mehmedinović, with Emir Imamović, Mirjana Đurđević, Pavle Goranović, and Ljubica Letinić serving as members.

The novel has received exceptional critical acclaim as well as strong readership response. A fourth edition was recently released, following the book’s initial publication in April 2024 by Croatian publisher Stilus. At its core lies the story of a catastrophic wildfire near Split, which sets off an investigation that slowly exposes deeper layers of both collective and individual responsibility. Through a blend of Mediterranean noir and family drama, Pavičić masterfully portrays the complexities of human relationships and the social dynamics that shape them.

"Matchsticks" has resonated with both readers and critics. It was a finalist for the T-portal Award, as well as for the newly established regional UPiT Award for Best Thriller, which recognizes novels published in 2023 and 2024 in Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.