Milan Dekleva was on Friday conferred the Kresnik Award for best Slovenian novel of the year for "Zmagoslavje podgan" (The Triumph of Rats). Earlier this year Dekleva was honoured with a Preseren Award, the most prestigious national award for achievements in arts and culture.
The laureate received the award, which comes together with an EUR 5,000 check, from the hands of Peter Jancic, the editor-in-chief of the daily Delo, which gives out the award.
Upon receiving the award on the Roznik Hill above Ljubljana, Dekleva said he felt sorry for his fellow writers, who wrote such excellent novels but remained empty-handed.
His novel won over Marko Hudnik's "Jelovskove zenske" (The Jelovsek Women), Vladimir Kavcic's "Prihodnost, ki je ni bilo" (The Future That Wasn't), Vinko Moederndorfer's "Ljubezni Sinjebradca" (The Loves of the Bluebeard) and Marko Sosic's "Tito, amor mijo" (Tito, My Love).
Members of the five-strong jury had a heated debate about the novels, which were shortlisted from more than 60 published last year, but were eventually unanimous in that the award should go to Dekleva, said its president Matevz Kos.
Based on the story of playwright Slavko Grum (1901-1949), "The Triumph of Rats" is flirting with a biographical novel, whichis not, because even the historical characters are merely "fiction". The novel, published by Cankarjeva zalozba, portrays a subtle picture of the first half of the 20th century.
Dekleva, who will turn 60 in October, is one of the most prominent Slovenian modern and postmodern authors. He is the author of several volumes of poetry, novels and short stories, as well as the recipient of a number of awards. He works as an editor at public broadcaster TV Slovenija.
Traditionally, the laureate lights a bonfire in celebration of Midsummer Eve as the award bears the name of a mythological being who appears at crossroads as a flame. Kresnik ("kres" meaning bonfire) seduces travellers into various activities, including literature.
In its 16-year history, the Kresnik has also been won by Feri Lainscek, Milos Mikeln, Andrej Hieng, Tone Percic, Berta Bojetu, Vlado Zabot, Zoran Hocevar, Drago Jancar (twice), Andrej Skubic, Katarina Marincic, Rudi Seligo, Lojze Kovacic (twice) and last year Alojz Rebula.
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