The Croatian literary scene has been enriched by another call to writers and poets to contribute their works to the treasury of spiritual creativity. The Association for the Promotion of Famous People from Križevci "Dr. Stjepan Kranjčić" proudly opened the doors on May 15, 2025, to the seventeenth Meeting of Croatian Spiritual Literary Creativity "Stjepan Kranjčić," better known as "Literary Kranjčić." This unique competition, which stands out as the only platform in the Republic of Croatia dedicated to contemporary spiritual literature in short literary forms, invites authors to explore the depths of the human spirit through the prism of Christian values.

In Memory of the Great Man of Letters from Križevci

Named after the esteemed Križevci parish priest, writer, and publicist Stjepan Kranjčić (1918–1968), whose life and work left an indelible mark on Croatian culture, this meeting aims to encourage the creation of new works that reflect Catholic spirituality and universal human values. Kranjčić, a native of Petrijanec, spent most of his priestly and pastoral work in Križevci, where he worked tirelessly not only as a spiritual caregiver but also as a prolific writer. His literary legacy, imbued with deep faith and humanism, serves as a permanent inspiration to the organizers and participants of this competition. The goal is to continue his mission of enriching Croatian literature with works that contemplate spiritual themes in a contemporary and artistically relevant manner. Finding accommodation in Križevci can be an excellent opportunity to explore the city's rich cultural heritage.

Hope as the Beacon of This Year's Competition

Each year, "Literary Kranjčić" presents authors with a specific guiding theme. For 2025, the organizers have chosen hope as the central theme. In today's world, often marked by uncertainty and challenges, hope emerges as an essential human virtue and spiritual strength. Authors are invited to explore, through their poems, stories, travelogues, essays, or monodrama texts, the various dimensions of hope – from personal hope that guides an individual through life's difficulties, through hope that springs from faith, to hope as a driving force for social change. Of course, the broader thematic framework also includes timeless themes such as God, the Church, saints and blesseds, the life and work of priests and monks, the experiences of lay believers, and spiritual journeys and pilgrimages, providing writers with a wide range of opportunities to express their creativity.

Competition Propositions: A Guide for Submitting Works

The competition is open to all interested authors who write in standard Croatian or any Croatian dialect, thereby also promoting linguistic diversity. The key deadline for submitting works is from May 15 to August 15, 2025. It is important to emphasize that all submitted works must be unpublished, both in printed form (books, magazines, newspapers) and on internet portals or other digital platforms. Also, authors cannot submit works with which they have already competed in previous editions of "Literary Kranjčić," ensuring the freshness and originality of the received works.

Each author has the opportunity to participate in multiple categories, but with one work in each of the five offered genres:

• Poetry


• Short story


• Travelogue


• Essay


• Monodrama

In total, one author can submit a maximum of five works. Regarding technical specifications, works should be written in Times New Roman, 12-point font size, with double spacing. The length limit for poetry, short stories, travelogues, and essays is five text cards (around 9000 characters with spaces), while monodramas can be more extensive, up to ten text cards (around 18000 characters with spaces). The works themselves must not contain any information about the author, only the title of the work, to ensure anonymity during the evaluation process.

Submission is done exclusively electronically. Along with the works, authors should also attach a completed application form. This form is available for download on the official website of the Association "Dr. Stjepan Kranjčić": www.kranjcic.hr. The complete application, which includes works in .doc or .docx format and the filled-out application form, should be sent to the email address: stjepan.kranjcic@gmail.com.

Evaluation and Rewarding of Literary Excellence

The fate of the submitted works will be decided by an expert judging panel, composed of recognized writers, theologians, and cultural workers. The criterion according to which the works will be evaluated is exclusively literary-aesthetic value, with each genre being judged separately. This approach ensures that the quality and artistic strength of the text will come to the fore, regardless of other factors.

The most successful authors will be awarded, and their works will have the special honor of a public performance. The award ceremony and presentation of the awarded works are planned for Saturday, December 6, 2025, in the city of Križevci. This date was not chosen randomly – it marks the 107th anniversary of Stjepan Kranjčić's birth, further emphasizing the connection of the competition with his person and work. For all visitors planning to attend this cultural event, it is recommended to check the options for accommodation in Križevci.

In addition to awards and public presentation, a wider selection of chosen works will be printed in a commemorative collection. This collection permanently preserves valuable literary achievements submitted to the competition, making them accessible to a wider readership and leaving a mark on contemporary Croatian spiritual literature. The "Literary Kranjčić" collection has become a recognizable publication that testifies to the continuity and vitality of spiritual creativity in Croatia.

Križevci – City of Inspiration and Encounters

Križevci, a city of rich history and culture, proudly hosts this significant literary meeting. As the place where Stjepan Kranjčić spent a significant part of his life and pastoral work, Križevci provides an authentic ambiance for reflecting on spirituality and art. Besides the award ceremony itself, a stay in Križevci offers an opportunity to get acquainted with local sights and the cultural heritage that shaped Kranjčić himself. Those coming from other regions can consider the offer of accommodation in Križevci to fully experience the atmosphere of this event.

A Call to Creativity and Preservation of Spiritual Values

The Meeting of Croatian Spiritual Literary Creativity "Stjepan Kranjčić" is more than just a competition. It is a platform that actively encourages and nurtures the written word imbued with Christian values, giving a voice to authors who explore fundamental questions of human existence, faith, morality, and spirituality in their works. In a time when spiritual themes sometimes seem marginalized, "Literary Kranjčić" stands as a beacon pointing to their enduring importance and relevance in art and life.

The organizers, the Association for the Promotion of Famous People from Križevci "Dr. Stjepan Kranjčić," invest great effort to ensure this meeting grows and develops year after year, attracting an increasing number of quality authors and works. Their dedication to preserving the memory of Stjepan Kranjčić and promoting spiritual literature deserves every praise. More detailed information about the competition itself, the propositions, as well as the activities of the Association, can be found on the official websites: www.knjizevni.kranjcic.hr and www.kranjcic.hr. All writers, established and unestablished, are invited to respond to this competition and contribute their talent to the richness of the Croatian spiritual literary scene, exploring the inexhaustible theme of hope and other spiritual incentives.