Mackojć: Before me this prize was given to such poets as Twardowski or Bryll. First place for a young Polish poet from Lithuania

A young poet and informal leader of poetry group New Avant-garde of Vilnius Marzena Mackojć participated in a contest „The young have a voice” („Głos mają młodzi”) during the XIII World Poetry Day in Warsaw. She took the first place.

„I admit I am surprised I won. First of all, so far only men received this award and it was such poets as Jan Twardowski, Ernest Bryll, Juliusz Erazm Bolek, Andrzej Zaniewski, Adam Siemieńczyk and interesting young artists such as Karol Samsel or Miłosz Kamil Manasterski etc.. A recognition from such a big poetic forum – it’s a big honor for me, especially at that age. This year, two female poets received the award – Marlena Zynger and I.” Marzena Mackojć shared her impressions with PL DELFI.

According to the poet, there is a certain stereotype that the awards don’t mean anything to the artists. Mackojć thinks however that this award will give her more poetical freedom. „I admit I feel such a considerable relief that maybe this relief will be a source of my additional poetical freedom.” the poet emphasised.

The readers are still the most important, though. „When you receive such awards, it befits to thank someone. So in the first place, I would like to thank my family. I also want to thank my readers, it’s all for you after all.” Mackojć said.

Marzena Mackojć despite her young age, has published two poetry volumes „Women and chocolate” („Kobiety i czekolada”) and „Illusions” („Illusions”).

Source: http://pl.delfi.lt/kultura/kultura/mackojc-przede-mna-te-nagrode-otrzymali-tacy-poeci-jak-twardowski-czy-bryll.d?id=61249445

Tłumaczenie Justyna Kaczmarek w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Justyna Kaczmarek within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.