Branko Stevanović

Writer, born in 1966 in Bačka Topola, grew up in Krivaja and Sevojno, now living in New Belgrade, writes and translates for children and adults. He studied Russian language and literature, graduated from the Educator’s high school , and specialized the field of children's creativity affirmation. He has been an editor at several publishing houses and children's magazines. He published his first book in 1986, and has been present in periodicals since 1984. Some of his books are: "Duration", "Nikola the Crow and the Pigeons", "A Very Social Game", "Usage of Child", "Zoo Songbook", "The Story of the Only Prince", "I'm Telling You Nicely", "That's It", "This is How It Was", "When I Was a Rabbit", "Theaters", "The Adventures of Prince Marko", "Strictly Confidential Book"… He was also the co-author of "Hilarious Physics" and "Hilarious Chemistry". He edited the book of selected poems by Ljubivoje Ršumović "It Seems to Me for Centuries" and the book of selected stories and poems by Vladimir Andrić "The Perfect Chaos". Together with Igor Kolarov, he edited three selections from Serbian poetry for children: "Well, that's it!", "From the Dragon to Infinity" and "Zrenjanin Fireworks". Together with Gordana Maletić, he edited the book of selected songs by Jovan Jovanović Zmaj "Convenient Place". His drama in verse for children "The Story of the Only Prince" was performed in several theaters, and was broadcast as a radio drama in the program of Radio Belgrade, directed by Miloš Jagodić. He is, among other things, the author of songs’ lirics composed by Zoran Simjanović for Goran Marković's musical "Little Secrets", as well as the words of the Anthem of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia’s project "Let's Save Serbian Language", composed by Leontina Vukomanović. He is represented in poetry anthologies, textbooks and readings for primary school through poetry and short prose. Some of his poems and short stories have been translated into Russian, Ruthenian, Hungarian, Romanian and Bulgarian. He has won numerous awards in the field of children's literature, including: "Children's Book of the Year" at the 52^nd International Belgrade Book Fair, Children's Reading Jury Award "Dositej's Pen", "Marigold" Award from the Friends of Serbian Children (twice - for fiction and popular science), Award of the 57^th Zmaj Children's Games for exceptionally creative contribution to contemporary expression in children's literature, "Knjaževac Golden Fleece" Award for his contribution to creativity for children and playful childhood, "Golden Key" Award at the 50^th Poetry Festival "Smederevo Poetry Autumn" for poetic creations for children. In 2019, he was named Person of the Year in the Vuk's Endowment magazine "Daystar for Youth".