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On 29 May, at the Prijedor Theatre, a special book was presented: The Prijedor ABC – (Prijedorski bukvar – Prilika za lirika), the final part of a trilogy about the city that began with the original Prijedor ABC (Prijedorski bukvar) and continued with the colouring book Colour Prijedor (Oboj Prijedor). The new edition features the same alphabet, but in an entirely new form, combining prose, poetry, and love for the homeland.
Let us recall how Nikola, while writing a school assignment about his hometown, discovered that there was almost no information about Prijedor in his textbooks. He could not finish the task without help from his parents. That spark became the reason why his grandfather, Zoran Stanić, decided to leave children something lasting, clear, and sincere – a book about the city, written for them.He reached out to his friend, the Belgrade-based poet Mirjana Bulatović, who wrote thirty poems in just four days, one for each concept and letter.
A special charm was added to the book by the young Prijedor artist Nataša Bubalo, a student at the Academy of Arts, whose illustrations guide both children and adults through the magical, colourful world of Prijedor. At the launch event, the authors Zoran and Mirjana spoke, and the illustrator Nataša also shared thoughts about her work. The musical part of the evening was enriched by the talented singer-songwriter Draženka Jovičin, who composed music to accompany Mirjana’s verses. Performing the songs alongside her guitar were our youngest and most wonderful participants, Danika Pačariz and Đorđe Komosar.
Pupils, parents, teachers, and friends filled the audience.
As in previous events, all participants gave their time selflessly and took part in the evening as a gesture of support for the Nikola Baroš Foundation, the organiser of this cultural gathering.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who is part of this story: to the authors Zoran Stanić and Mirjana Bulatović, the illustrator Nataša Bubalo, the music teacher Draženka Jovičin, our young performers Danika and Đorđe, as well as the City of Prijedor, the Prijedor Theatre, the Sreten Stojanović Gallery, and the Print printing house, who, as always, stand by us.
“Warmth, emotion, a spark in the eyes. It feels as if every part of the programme is guided by the heavenly boy Nikola Baroš, who left this city and this world in his thirteenth year, yet remains deeply drawn to everything that takes place here,” said Mirjana Bulatović, whose verse in The Prijedor ABC (Prijedorski bukvar), dedicated to a fallen soldier, reads:
“And is anyone ever dead enough that they can no longer love?”
This book is not just an ABC primer. It is the result of a grandfather’s love for his grandson, a city’s love for its children, and a poet’s love for words that teach us to carry our homeland in the heart. It stands as a lasting testament to Nikola, and to all those who, like him, ask important questions.
When a child says, “I cannot write about my city because there is nothing about it,” we, the adults, must choose how to respond.
Grandfather Zoran responded with a book.
And we responded with gratitude.
To conclude, there is a heartfelt recommendation from one of the most beloved children’s authors, Ljubivoje Ršumović:“Thirty concepts and thirty poetic texts have met and embraced within each letter of the alphabet, so that even those who are not from this beautiful city will gladly read The Prijedor ABC – A Chance for a Lyricist (Prijedorski bukvar – Prilika za lirika).Zoran Stanić and Mirjana Bulatović have played with joy and imagination, to the delight of people of all ages.”
We are certain that Nikola was among the audience that evening, watching from some distant, brighter place, following every verse and every smile with pride and quiet joy, smiling gently in the way only he knew how.
Nikola Baroš Foundation
❤️
