In accordance with the previously defined provisions of the fourth literary competition for the "Professor Borivoje Jelić" award, the results of this year's competition are being announced with explanations from the jury members.

Winners of the "Prof. Borivoje Jelić" Award

Jury composition:

• Professor of Serbian language and literature Mirjana Štrbac
• Writer and poet Lela Marković
• Poet Andrei Miritsky

they noted that a total of 13 papers on the topic had been received.

Each member of the commission read the papers separately and made his decision independently of the other two.

Professor Mirjana Strbac

Professor Mirjana Štrbac selected the works under the codes Kockar, Maslacak567 and Leptirić25 as the three best compositions with the following explanation:

First place: work under the code name Kockar

By introducing the concept of better times, the author gives a picture of a time that was not better in a material sense, but more so in a spiritual one. Everything that was lacking in tangible form was compensated for on an invisible level – through the active love and closeness of family members. Love was built into all generations, and the motifs of the house (walls, window, door) with a very poetic stylization become symbols of the values ​​that grandparents gave to their descendants. With their example, ancestors pointed to the right path more than with words, hence the conclusion that confirms that new times should not abolish what is good from the past, but rather continue on the path set. The work is written in accordance with the grammatical and spelling-style rules to the greatest extent, and it fully responded to the topic.

Second place: work under the code Maslacak567

Through the warm image of a grandfather and granddaughter playing, we are brought to Ćopić's cheerfulness of childhood, in which life values ​​are learned through play. The grandfather does not talk much, he is dedicated to teaching that life is a struggle and that one must not give up, no matter what the opponent. Lessons are learned at the chessboard or while playing cards. An opponent must not cause fear, and all solutions exist within us. The grandfather expresses his love through an endless game with a persistent little girl whose courage he senses and supports, calling her a falcon. In her, he notices all the virtues of a potential hunter and an honorable fighter on the battlefield of life. The memory of childhood and carefreeness evokes lyrical tenderness that the author transfers into poetic expression, the rhythm of the verse, and the rhyming in the introduction and conclusion. It's as if she wants to sing a nostalgic ode, to best express her gratitude for the rich gifts of childhood and a loved one who is no longer with her. The work is written in accordance with grammatical and spelling rules, and fully responds to the topic.

Third place: work codenamed Leptirić25 

The author, through self-criticism directed at his adolescent anger, introduces us to an unusual, silent grandfather, whose advice and honest story are healing for his granddaughter, as is the tea he makes for her. A catharsis is taking place before us: maturity brings wisdom based on experience, in this case, negativity. The composition varies the theme of the prodigal son, who sobers up and transforms himself through his sin. He expresses his love by exposing himself; he sacrifices the image of the ideal grandfather who heals with a kiss on the injured spot in order to save the child from a greater mistake than the one he himself once made. His tears are beneficial, because the granddaughter sees the meaning of his story on a deeper level. The work is largely responsive to the topic, and spelling and stylistic errors are rare.

Professor Štrbac also singled out one work that deserves praise, and that is the work coded Naočare, with the following explanation:

An exceptional composition in which grandfather's stories are transformed into a value system where loyalty, reliability and security are the most important. Grandfather is consistently shown as the bearer of these values ​​from his earliest childhood (the motif of hajduhovanja); his messages are not direct, he serves with his works as a clear example of what the source of happiness is – other people! A smile, a warm word of support, stoically enduring life's challenges speak of his strength. For him, a word is an oath that he stands by his entire life. Although the introduction, elaboration and conclusion are not clearly indicated, other grammatical and spelling rules are respected to the greatest extent. By mentioning the hero's motive at the beginning and end of the story, the author gives an indication of his personal relationship with grandfather, and subtly rounds off the whole and achieves the point of the story.

Writer Lela Marković

Writer Lela Marković selected the works under the codes Kockar, Maslacak567 and Leptirić 25 as the three best compositions, with the following explanation:

First place: work under the code name Kockar

The written composition is characterized by excellent development of the topic. The author introduces the readers to the topic with a quote from his grandfather, which maintains interest in continuing the reading. "And that was the time of love..." - then the narrative introduces the reader to the status of a listener, the end of the grandfather who is narrating. The work is authentic in the metaphors used by the author: he compares the foundation of a house with harmony and respect, the walls with love, the windows with a view of the world, the door with generosity and a way for everyone who enters to experience the generosity, belonging and hospitality of its hosts. This is a story about the grandfather's teaching that the family and the church are a refuge. There is also the author's knowledge that a parent gives a child wings to fly away, but that the child has someone to return to, who will wait for him on the doorstep and receive him in an embrace. The conclusion indicates that people determine time, not theirs, and that God has given us the freedom and opportunity to influence the time in which we live with our kindness. The composition radiates love that springs from and seeps into the family. The transfer of life experience from grandfather to grandson, or from the older to the younger, gives light to this story and hope for the preservation of family values.

Second place: work under the code Maslacak567

An imaginative take on the theme in the form of a chess game between a grandfather and a grandson, as an opportunity to play and learn the order of roles. That in a chess game (read life) one learns to fight, and reflection and effort improve one's status and provide an opportunity to fight for victory. This is a story about the transfer of knowledge and experience. Because the one who learns a lesson knows it, but the one who learns in life, through play, gains the necessary experience. Seen through the eyes of a child at a chess board, the process of learning and fighting is shown: how to accept defeat, how to suppress anger and still continue the fight. And then when the battle is lost, but also when a teammate, advisor, loved one is lost. That even then the fight does not stop, moreover: our loved ones live within us even when they are not there, and their lessons live on, which are valuable guides in life. And this composition, with love and memory of the grandfather and his former teachings, preserves the lesson learned that perseverance and work always lead to creation, and even victory.

Third place: work codenamed Leptirić25

The third work is painted with the memory of the grandfather, his habits, behavior, care and attention given to the granddaughter. Especially with the lessons that show love and care. The grandfather acts as a mediator between the granddaughter and her parents. The grandfather uses his own example to explain the meaning of family roles, the need to respect the elderly, and the patience and understanding of parents, even when they make mistakes. Thus, the grandson is revealed to the grandfather's enigmatic personality, from whose lessons wisdom wafts. That wisdom that teaches that youthful anger and dissatisfaction can only be resolved through patience, conversation and understanding, so as not to make mistakes that lead to regret. The grandfather's personal and bitter experience, shared with his grandson, is the theme of this story with the narrator's message that "only the man who can control his anger without harming himself or others is great and wise." There is love and warmth in the relationship between grandfather and granddaughter, and in this example, the nurturing of family ties and the pedagogical virtues of the elders are evident.

Poet Andrei Miritsky

Poet Andreja Miricki chose the works coded Sunčica, Maslacak567 and Kockar as the three best compositions, with the following explanation:

First place: work under the code name Sunčica

The life of a grandfather written in almost calligraphic handwriting. Similar to an airplane taxiing on the runway and preparing us for takeoff, this composition takes us into the clouds of love between a granddaughter and a grandfather, filled with warm emotion, escorted towards the sky straight into eternity.

Second place: work under the code Maslacak567

An original idea of ​​love, life and a metaphorical battle on 64 fields. Fascinating messages remembered by their grandfather that become a guide for generations to come. And yet, sometimes a hand extended and a draw is a good incentive for a later, more important victory.

Third place: work under the code name Kockar

"A foundation of harmony, walls of love...". Ah, what grand words, as if they were described by a folk singer in one of the Kosovo cycles. Orthodox motifs of community guide us from beginning to end, reminding us that as a people we should resemble the family from this composition.

After deciphering by the commission of the High School in Nova Varoša, the works, along with the names of the authors and their biographies, will be published on our portal.

*Since this year the birthday of Professor Borivoj Jelić falls on Good Friday, we are publishing the codes of the winning works two days earlier than the usual date, in order to enable timely deciphering by the commission.

In Belgrade, April 8, 2026