The initiative for the prize for the best translation in the Macedonian language "Dragi" was launched in 2022, and the first honorable mention was awarded to Dragi Mihajlovski (1951-2022), Macedonian writer, translator, essayist and university professor. Apart from his prose works, Mihajlovski left a lasting mark on Macedonian culture with the translations of works by Shakespeare, Milton, Shelley, Keats, Blake, Eliot, Milton, etc. He also published several studies and essays in the field of translation theory, and with his views on translation, he influenced the students of the Faculty of Philology "Blaže Koneski" in Skopje, where he was a professor. From 2023, the award is officially awarded in two categories:
- "Dargi" award for the best literary translation in the Macedonian language
- International "Dragi" award for the most outstanding book translation from Macedonian language
The award was established to evaluate translation production in Macedonia, as well as to highlight the value and importance of translation for our cultural space.
Books published between July 1 of the last year and June 30 of the current year can be entered for the prize.
Published books must be translated from the original language, and works translated from "living" and classical languages (Arabic, Ancient Greek, Sanskrit and Latin) may be competed for. The prize is awarded for the translation of works of all literary types: prose, poetry and drama (non-fiction works are not included in the competition).
Publishing houses, citizens' associations and translators have the right to nominate for the award. Each publishing house or citizen association has the right to nominate a maximum of five books, and each translator has the right to nominate one book.
In the event that one translator is nominated with more than one translation, the organizers will contact the translator to decide which translation will be nominated.
The competition is open until June 30 every year.
Nominated books can be published in paper form or as electronic editions and must have a CIP record from the National and University Library "St. Kliment Ohridski" - Skopje.
The books published in paper form should be submitted in four copies to the address of the publishing house "Antolog" ("Gjorgji Pulevski" street number 29, extension 1), and the electronic editions in electronic form to the e-mail address oglasi@antolog.mk.
Submitted translations will be evaluated by a three-member committee composed of translators, writers or literary critics.
The award consists of a diploma and a "Dragi" statuette.
Previous winners
"Dragi" Award:
2023 – Zlatko Panzov for the Hungarian translation of "Captivity" by Gjerg Spiro published by "Artkonect".
2023 – Special recognition for continuing the translation tradition and creative spirit of Draghi Mihajlovski for Nikola Gjelinčeski for the translation from Spanish of "Prepoems in postspanish and other poems" by Horhenrike Adum published by "Alef Publications".
"Dragi" International Award:
2023 – Alexandra Ioannidou (Greece) for the translation of the book "My Husband" by Rumena Buzharovska into Greek, published by "Gutenberg" (Ρούμενα Μπουζάροφσκα, "Ο Ομποννς μου", metαφραση. Αλεξανδρα Ιωαννιδου).