The "Prozart" award, which is awarded by the International Literary Festival "PRO-ZA Balkan" for the 12th time to an outstanding author for his/ her contribution to the development of literature in the Balkans, in 2024 went to Vladimir Pishtalo, a Serbian writer who marked the evolution and the achievements of contemporary Serbian prose in the late 20th and early 21st century.

Vladimir Pishtalo's lifelong love for the books but also of the book towards the writer Pishtalo has a strong genetic support - his parents were passionate librarians, and when he was born his mother left her job as a librarian to go to the hospital. It is therefore not surprising that he published his first book at the age of 21, and at the same time established one of the most exciting magazines of new prose, "Belgrade Manufacture od Dreams". Furthermore, his exciting life path led him to various countries and continents and, in addition to unique life experiences, Pishtalo was also writing. He published dozens of fiction books, which vary in genre. There are collections of short stories, picture books, manifestos, travelogues, novels. All those works feature a permeation of supremely curious literary spirit and a literary style that is peculiar only to him.

Even today, apart from the fact that he cannot give up writing, Pishtalo is a librarian – he is leading the largest Serbian national library.

His novels have been translated and awarded all over the Balkans (he is one of the most loved Balkan prose writers), but also all over Europe and the world.

He published 14 books of fiction, from poetic prose to novels - "Corto Maltese", "Stained glass in memory", "Alexandrida", "Millennium in Belgrade", "Tesla, a portrait between the masks", "Venice", "The sun of this day: letter to Andrić"... His short stories are included in all major anthologies of Serbian prose. His book "Tesla, a portrait between masks" has been translated into 20 languages. His novel "Millennium in Belgrade" has been translated into ten languages.

What excites every devoted reader to Pishtalo's prose is a very rare combination of an established style and an experimental urge: as someone who walks through space and time, he very carefully notices the details of life, and on the other hand, tries the form of writing. Hence, the "Prozart" award deservedly and justly goes to one of the great Balkan masters and initiators of creation of a top prose in this region.

"Prozart" Award Committee:
Ermis Lafazanovski, President
Aleksandar Prokopiev and Dejan Trajkoski, members