The seventh Biber Short Story Contest was announced on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2025. Authors writing in Albanian, Macedonian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, Croatian or Serbian are welcome to send in their short stories.
The themes for the seventh contest have been expanded and authors are free to choose which one to address.
We are not giving up on the traditional themes of the Biber Contest: in addition to stories about reconciliation in the context of the aftermath of the wars and violence in the countries of former Yugoslavia, the competition will also accept stories contributing to better understanding among people, reducing hatred and dismantling prejudice, anti-war stories, stories about dealing with the past, deconstructing images of the enemy, stories with empathy, brave stories that dare walk in the “enemy’s” shoes, stories that push boundaries and open up the way to build a more stable, safer and freer future for all.
The seventh contest is dedicated to the students in Serbia who have taught us many lessons over the past year about nonviolent struggle, solidarity, togetherness, support, love, willpower, courage, empathy, reconciliation, respect, and other important social values. With deep appreciation for everything the students have done and put in motion, this contest seeks to open up space for stories that will address their fight for justice, freedom and equality.
The contest will remain open until 24 May 2026.
The entered stories will be considered by a jury comprising: Danijela Repman, Lejla Kalamujić and Željko Belinić. At least twenty selected stories will be published in a multilingual collection.
For more information visit our Biber page in Albanian, Macedonian or Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian/Montenegrin language.
The contest is organised by the Biber team, with the support of the Centre for Nonviolent Action Sarajevo-Belgrade.
