Both established and emerging poets are invited to apply for participation in the jubilee 10th season of Mili Dueli – an international online poetry competition. Participation includes active interaction among poets via the Facebook social network throughout 2025/26.

Mili Dueli is a cultural project that has brought together hundreds of poets from different countries over the years (since 2012), aiming to increase the visibility of their poetry and encourage international literary cooperation — especially among poets from the Balkans, diaspora communities, and around the world.

 APPLICATION CONDITIONS

Authors from anywhere in the world may apply, with no age restriction.

The only requirement is that you are the author of the poems you submit.

Participation is completely free of charge!

Participants from previous seasons may apply again, except for previous winners, who are no longer eligible to compete.

Authors under the age of 18 will be redirected to a special category: Mili Dueli Junior.

 HOW TO APPLY

To apply, click the following link: [HERE]

Fill out the form with your basic personal information and upload the poems you wish to submit.

 AWARDS MAIN AWARD

• Plaque + Title “Mili Dueli 2025/26 Laureate” – awarded for 1st place
  (The award will be presented in person, at an agreed promotion event.)

ADDITIONAL AWARDS

• Plaques for the top 10 finalists
• Plaques for the best-ranked author from each participating country
• Balić Recognition – plaque for the best-ranked poet from the Balkan diaspora

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

(Plaques awarded for special contributions):

• Al Buqain Recognition – best-ranked poet from the Middle East
• Aga Recognition – for the best audio-visual poetry performance in the finals
• Roula Pollard Recognition – for outstanding poets from Greece and North Macedonia who contributed to intercultural dialogue
• Media Recognition – for the individual who contributed most to promoting international literary cooperation through media during the season

HONORARY RECOGNITIONS

All selected participants will receive:

• An electronic certificate for international cooperation, contribution to the promotion of poetry through social networks, and support for literary criticism.
• For those included in the printed anthology and present at the official promotion — a printed certificate may also be awarded.

(Authors with whom no further cooperation is established will not receive certificates.)

Mili Dueli will continue publishing anthologies of contemporary poetry by its participants. More information on the next anthology will be announced after the season concludes.

 APPLICATION DEADLINE

February 28, 2026

The organizer will begin the selection of applications in October 2025, and the selected participants for the second round will be contacted via Facebook message if they pass the initial classification. The list of selected participants for the second round of the poetry competition will be published on March 1, 2026, on the official website of the competition.

All contest updates and detailed information will be published [HERE].

 WHAT IS MILI DUELI?

Mili Dueli is an international literary project that promotes culture, art, and tolerance through internet-based poetry. The project’s main activity is an online poetry contest for authors from the Balkans, diaspora, and the wider world.

The project was founded and inspired by the idea of Nermin Delić, a Bosnian-Herzegovinian writer and doctor of medicine.

The competition is held entirely online, consisting of five elimination rounds. In each round, poets submit a new poem, which is reviewed by an international jury composed of renowned Balkan artists and previous winners of Mili Dueli. The jury provides detailed literary feedback, suggestions, and evaluations — making this contest truly unique in the region.

In addition to the jury, readers, followers, and the authors’ supporters also participate in the decision-making process.

The jury evaluates only the poems submitted for the competition, without considering the rest of the author’s body of work — therefore, it’s important to submit your best work.

 RECOGNITION AND MEDIA SUCCESS

In 2018, Forbes, the world’s leading business magazine, featured Mili Dueli, calling it the most popular poetry contest in the former Yugoslavia.

That same year, for his essay on the project, organizer Nermin Delić received the GOI/UNESCO Peace Award in Japan. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was awarded the title Genius of the Year (on the Bosnian man of the year event) for his idea and voluntary work on the project. In 2022, he also received the Cultural Contribution Award from the Municipality of Jajce.

In 2013, Delić spent a month in the United States as part of the Youth Leadership Program sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 PAST WINNERS OF MILI DUELI

The previous winners of Mili Dueli are:
Dijana Stevanović Uherek (Serbia), Enea Hotić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Anđela Turukalo (Montenegro), Ante Jezerčić (Croatia), Lela Zjajo (Germany), Stefan Lazarević (Serbia), Iryna Fingerova (Ukraine), Nikola Ismail (Serbia), Sanja Balalić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Bozhana Slavkova (Bulgaria).

 STATISTICS & IMPACT

• Over 3,000 applications submitted in the past nine seasons
• More than 350 authors awarded with literary recognition
• Over 4,500 volunteer hours invested by the organizer
• More than 900 hours of jury work in evaluating poetry
• Website has surpassed 1.5 million visits — a remarkable achievement in an era when poetry is often overlooked

 CALL FOR COLLABORATION

Cultural associations, organizations, schools, and literary festivals across the Balkans that wish to collaborate with us — through literary visits, promotions, or workshops — are warmly invited to contact us.

 WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR POEMS!

Nermin Delić
Organizer of the Mili Dueli

Objava MILI DUELI 2025/26 – Free International Online Poetry Competition pojavila se prvi puta na Mili Dueli.

10. međunarodno online takmičenje poezije

Pozivaju se afirmisani i neafirmisani autori poezije da se prijave za učešće u jubilarnoj, desetoj sezoni Milih Duela – međunarodnog online takmičenja poezije. Učešće podrazumijeva interakciju pjesnika putem društvene mreže Facebook tokom 2025. godine.

Mili Dueli su takmičarskog karaktera i već godinama okupljaju stotine autora iz različitih zemalja, sa ciljem da pruže veću čitanost svojoj poeziji i potaknu međunarodnu književnu saradnju, posebno među pjesnicima sa prostora Balkana, dijaspore i svijeta.

USLOVI PRIJAVE

• Prijaviti se mogu autori iz bilo kojeg dijela svijeta, bez starosnog ograničenja.

• Jedini uslov je da ste autor pjesama koje šaljete na konkurs.

• Učešće je potpuno besplatno!

Učesnici prethodnih sezona mogu se ponovo prijaviti, osim ranijih pobjednika koji više ne mogu učestvovati u takmičenju.

Autori mlađi od 18 godina se prijavljuju na isti način, ali će biti razvrstani u posebnu sekciju: Mili Dueli Junior.

NAČIN PRIJAVE

Za prijavu kliknite na sljedeći link: [OVDJE]

Popunite obrazac sa osnovnim podacima o sebi i pošaljite pjesme koje želite prijaviti.

NAGRADE

GLAVNA NAGRADA

• Plaketa + titula Laureat Mili Dueli 2025 – za osvojeno 1. mjesto
  (Nagrada se dodjeljuje lično, na dogovorenoj promociji.)

OSTALE NAGRADE

• Plakete za deset najbolje plasiranih autora u finalu takmičenja

• Plaketa za najbolje plasiranog autora iz svake države učesnice

• Balićevo priznanje – plaketa za najbolje plasiranog autora iz dijaspore

SPECIJALNA PRIZNANJA

(Plakete koje se dodjeljuju za posebne doprinose):

• Priznanje Al Buqain – za najbolje plasiranog autora s prostora Bliskog Istoka

• Priznanje Aga – za najuspješniji audiovizualni performans autora

• Priznanje Roula Pollard – za istaknute autore iz Grčke i Sjeverne Makedonije koji su doprinijeli interkulturalnom dijalogu

• Medijsko priznanje – za osobu koja je tokom sezone najviše doprinijela promociji međunarodne književne saradnje putem medija

REVIJALNA PRIZNANJA

Svi autori koji budu odabrani za učešće dobijaju:

• Elektronsko priznanje za međunarodnu saradnju, doprinos plasiranju pisane riječi putem društvenih mreža i promociju književne kritike.

• U slučaju učešća u zborniku i dolaska na promociju – moguće je dobiti i štampano priznanje.
  (Priznanja se ne dodjeljuju autorima s kojima se ne ostvari daljnja saradnja.)

Mili Dueli će pored zajedničkog zbornika poezije zainteresovanih učesnika krenuti i sa objavljivanjem antologija savremene poezije učesnika takmičenja (na sezonskom nivou). Detalji o novoj antologiji i zborniku bit će objavljeni po završetku svake sezone.

ROK ZA PRIJAVU

28. februar 2026. godine

Organizator će u oktobru 2025. godine otpočeti selekciju prijava, a odabrani učesnici za učešće u drugom krugu će biti kontaktirani putem Facebook poruke ukoliko prođu početnu klasifikaciju. Lista odabranih učesnika za učešće u drugom krugu pjesničkog takmičenja će biti objavljena 1. marta 2026. godine na zvaničnoj web stranici takmičenja.

Sve dodatne informacije o konkursu dostupne su [OVDJE].

ŠTA SU MILI DUELI?

Mili Dueli su međunarodni književni projekt koji promoviše kulturu, umjetnost i toleranciju putem internetske poezije. Glavna aktivnost projekta je online takmičenje pjesnika sa Balkana, dijaspore i svijeta.

Osnivač i idejni tvorac projekta je Nermin Delić, bosanskohercegovački književnik i doktor medicine.

Takmičenje se odvija u potpunosti online, kroz pet eliminacionih krugova. Svaki krug podrazumijeva slanje nove pjesme koju ocjenjuje međunarodni žiri sastavljen od istaknutih umjetnika sa prostora Balkana i prethodnih pobjednika Milih Duela. Žiri daje detaljne komentare, smjernice i ocjene – što takmičenje čini jedinstvenim na regionalnoj sceni.

Pored žirija, u odlučivanju učestvuju i publika, stalni čitaoci i prijatelji autora.

Žiri vrednuje isključivo pjesme koje su poslane na konkurs, bez uvida u ranije stvaralaštvo autora – zato je važno prijaviti svoje najbolje radove.

PREPOZNATLJIVOST I MEDIJSKI USPJESI

O Milim Duelima je 2018. godine pisao i svjetski poznati magazin Forbes, nazivajući ih najpopularnijim takmičenjem poezije na prostoru bivše Jugoslavije.

Iste godine, za esej o djelovanju kroz projekt, organizator Nermin Delić dobio je GOI/UNESCO-vu nagradu za mir u Japanu. U Bosni i Hercegovini je, zbog ideje i volonterskog rada, odlikovan titulom Genije godine (na izboru Muškarca godine BiH 2018). Godine 2022. dobitnik je i Nagrade Općine Jajce, najvećeg lokalnog priznanja za doprinos kulturi.

Organizator je 2013. godine boravio mjesec dana u SAD-u u okviru Programa liderstva mladih, pod pokroviteljstvom Ambasade SAD u BiH.

POBJEDNICI DOSADAŠNJIH SEZONA

Dosadašnji pobjednici Milih Duela su:
Dijana Stevanović Uherek (Srbija), Enea Hotić (BiH), Anđela Turukalo (Crna Gora), Ante Jezerčić (Hrvatska), Lela Zjajo (Njemačka), Stefan Lazarević (Srbija), Iryna Fingerova (Ukrajina), Nikola Ismail (Srbija), Sanja Balalić (BiH), Božana Slavkova (Bugarska).

STATISTIKA I UTICAJ

• Preko 3000 prijava pristiglo je kroz prethodnih devet sezona.

• Više od 350 autora nagrađeno je književnim priznanjima.

• Organizator je uložio preko 4500 sati volonterskog rada, a žiri više od 900 sati ocjenjivanja poezije.

• Web-stranica Milih Duela zabilježila je više od 1,5 miliona posjeta – impresivan rezultat u vremenu kada poezija teško dolazi do čitatelja.

POZIV NA SARADNJU

Kulturna udruženja, organizacije, škole i festivali sa prostora Balkana koji žele ostvariti saradnju s nama kroz književne posjete, promocije ili radionice, pozvani su da nas kontaktiraju.

ČEKAMO VAŠE PJESME!

Nermin Delić
Organizator projekta Mili Dueli

Objava Mili Dueli – 10. međunarodni konkurs poezije pojavila se prvi puta na Mili Dueli.

	Name and surname:	Sławomira Sobkowska-Marczyńska
	Poem for the 4th and 5th round (Final / Grand Final): (TRANSLATION INTO MONTENEGRIN + YOUR NATIVE / ENGLISH LANGUAGE )	SJEĆANJE ispod starog bora leži uspomena u mahovini sačuvana zagrijana suncem istim kao tada kada ležeći na borovim iglicama kroz grane drveća tražilo se nebo a zatim na proplanku šumskih jagoda prvi put probaše se njegove usne s ukusom bezbrižnosti uspomena zatvorena u kapljici smole Translated to Montenegrin by Anđela Turukalo Dabetić ……………………………………………. A MEMORY under an old pine tree lounge memories preserved in the moss warmed by the sun the same sun as back then when we were lying on the conifer needles looking for the sky through the branches of the trees and then on a wild strawberry glade I tried for the first time his lips with a taste of light-heartedness a memory locked in a tear of resin ……………………………………………. WSPOMNIENIE pod starą sosną wylegują się wspomnienia w mchu zachowane ogrzane słońcem tym samym co wtedy gdy leżąc na igliwiu przez konary drzew szukało się nieba a potem na poziomkowej polanie próbowało się pierwszy raz jego ust o smaku beztroski wspomnienie zamknięte w łezce żywicy
	Something special about you!	I am a graduate of the A. Mickiewicz University in Poznan. I graduated in journalism and German studies. I worked in regional television, and I also wrote for the local press. I am certified as an rhytmic gymnastics instructor and have worked as a coach in Poland and Austria. From the age of seven until I began my studies, I practiced rhytmic gymnastics. I won the title of Polish champion in the master class. I am the first polish gymnast to enter the finals of world and European championships. For my successes, the International Gymnastics Federation awarded me the International Master Class and the FIG Gold Badge. I also worked in education. I taught German language and social studies. In my work with high school students, I took care to promote pacifist ideas. I organized many occasional events, published a newspaper and received an award from the Mayor of Poznan, the city I live in. My hobby is writing poems. The moments when they come to me are among the most beautiful in my life. I’ve been writing since I was about 20 years old, but I came out as a poet in 2021. A lot has happened in my life over the past two years: I made my debut as a poet in September 2021 on Piotr Paweł Spottek and Maria Duszka’s program “Under the Great Roof of Heaven.” I am a member of the Poznan Literary Club “DĄBRÓWKA” and the Sieradz Literary Circle “ANIMA”. My poems have been published in “Protokół Kulturalny”, “Echo Piątkowa”, “Gazeta Kulturalna” and “Nihil Novi”. You can also listen to them on the YouTube platform. They have been published online on the “Poezja na każdy dzień” fanpage, on the Tomikovo blog and on the POETARIAT profile. In December 2021, my poem entitled “But” was awarded an honorable mention in the National Literary Contest “Cztery Pióra”. In June 2022, my poems made their way to the southern hemisphere via Australia’s Ethnic Malbourne Community Radio. In August 2022, a poetry and music meeting was held at the Jankowice Palace, where my poems were read by Michal Grudzinski, a prominent actor from the New Theater in Poznan. I have also published in several anthologies. In October 2022, I published a volume entitled “Tańcząca w chmurach” (“Dancing in the clouds”) which I promoted in November in Sieradz during a concert by the ARETE band, and in January 2023 in Poznan. A review of my volume by Marek Slomiak appeared in the May issue (2023) of “Gazeta Kulturalna” and the September issue (2023) of “Akant”, and Monika Magda Krajewska discussed the book online on the Tomikovo blog. My life adventures were described by Maria Duszka in an essay titled “Dancing with Words”, which was published on the cultural portal of Wielkopolska “Kultura u podstaw” (“Culture at the Basics”).
	What do you think is the main problem of peace in your country? Suggest solutions to us, and how to bring and preserve peace in your country with poetry?	The pacifist idea became important to me already in my childhood, when I understood the meaning of my name. The name “Sławomira” entails namely the glorification of mir (peace). Already as a child I decided to glorify mir. Of course, on a micro scale – in interpersonal relations and teaching high school students about the importance of peace in the world. Always my name is like a message and I will always glorify mir . In Poland, we can enjoy peace. Which does not mean public order. Antagonistic politicians divide society into their supporters and opponents. They do it aggressively, using social engineering, which people catch themselves in like a net, without being aware that it is manipulation. Arrogant statements prevail in the political debate and mutual respect is lacking. In Poland we have a multi-party system, but basically the game is played between the two largest parties (which form coalitions with smaller ones). The main problem for me in Poland is precisely the quarreling of society and the lack of awareness in people that this is what is at stake. After all, a divided society is easier to govern! People forget that everyone has the right to his (different) view (not only political), and anyway the most important thing is to be a GOOD person. I hope that our membership in alliances (EU, NATO) will ensure the continuance of peace in our country. I dream of peace in Europe and the world. It pains me that there hasn’t been a year since I’ve been alive that there hasn’t been a war somewhere on earth. Unfortunately, I don’t know the cure for this disease. I’ve written a few poems about it, but I know that politicians and other decision-makers don’t care about the words of poets. However, it is necessary to write about it anyway, how senseless wars are. Maybe one day good will prevail. I HAD A DREAM and in it people liked each other accepted each other respected each other’s rights they did not fight for a piece of land nor for a better rocket I invite to my dream heads of state raised high above human affairs too high RACE I would like to read in the newspaper that there is finally a race a disarmament race
	List of the published books:	1. Sobkowska-Marczyńska Sławomira, “Tańcząca w chmurach” (“Dancing in the clouds”) (2022)
	Do you expect to win the contest?	NO

You can watch and vote the video posted on Mili Dueli’s official Facebook page:

Mili Dueli 2023 – Peti krug (Veliko finale)

Objava Sławomira Sobkowska-Marczyńska – Sjećanje (Mili Dueli 2023 – Grand Final) pojavila se prvi puta na Mili Dueli.

	Name and surname:	Magdalena Kapuścińska
	Poem for the 4th and 5th round (Final / Grand Final): (TRANSLATION INTO MONTENEGRIN + YOUR NATIVE / ENGLISH LANGUAGE )	VIDIM MRAK Svijet gubi boje, uprkos intenzivnoj crvenoj koja se slijeva po okupiranom tlu. Žarulja sunca sa plave nebeske površine baca svjetlo na divljaštvo i zločine. Klokotanje dječjih stojaka i užasnuti jecaji majki spajaju se sa zvukom pušaka i tutnjavom bombi. Strah im dopušta da na trenutak zaborave glad. Iscrpljeni bijegom, stižu do granice čovječnosti. Neka Poljakinja im je pružila utočište i hljeb, ali ne može zamijeniti oca i majku. Nekadašnji život je srušen. Roditelji postoje, djetinjstvo traje samo na posivjeloj fotografiji, zamagljenoj suzama. Translated to Montenegrin by Anđela Turukalo Dabetić I SEE DARKNESS The world is losing color despite the intense red flowing over corpses in occupied land. Sun bulb on the blue sky sheds light on bestiality and crime. The rumbling bellies of children and the shrill lamentation of mothers merges with the sound of guns and the roar of bombs. Fear makes them forget about hunger only for a while. Exhausted from their escape, they reached the edge of humanity. Some Polish woman gave them shelter and bread but she will not replace father and mother. The old life lay in ruins. Parents exist, childhood lasts… only in a faded photo washed away with tears. Translated by Magdalena Kapuścińska CIEMNOŚĆ WIDZĘ Świat traci kolor pomimo intensywnej czerwieni spływającej po zwłokach na ziemi okupowanej. Żarówka słońca na błękitnej tafli nieba rzuca światło na bestialstwo i zbrodnie. Burczenie z brzuchów dzieci i przeraźliwy lament matek zlewa się z odgłosem karabinów i hukiem bomb. Strach pozwala im zapomnieć o głodzie jedynie na moment. Wyczerpani ucieczką dotarli na granicę człowieczeństwa. Jakaś Polka dała im schronienie i chleb, lecz nie zastąpi ojca i matki. Dawne życie legło w gruz. Rodzice istnieją, dzieciństwo trwa… już tylko na rozmytej od łez poszarzałej fotografii.
	Something special about you!	A poet, prose writer and publisher with true passion. He comes from Działdowo and lives in Wieluń. Born in an Orwellian year on a leap day. Poet, writer, satirist, columnist, playwright and publisher. He writes for both adults and children. She participated in national and international collective publications. Her poems, dramatic miniatures, columns and essays have been published in many literary magazines in the country (including Gazeta Kulturalna, My space of Culture) and worldwide) and presented in Polish (Radio Poznań, Radio Ziemi Wieluńska) and English (Radio Banita ) and Irish radio. Winner of the 5th Gdynia Satirical Tournament “about Strusie Egg” (2014), the Award in the Field of Culture awarded by the Lodz Voivodeship Assembly (2017) and winner of the intercontinental poetry competition organized by the International Forum of Creativity and Humanism (Washington/USA) on the occasion of the Peace Day celebration (for the English version of the poem entitled Playing God, in my own translation). For her literary contribution to the global building of a culture of peace and justice, in June 2022 she was awarded an honorary distinction by the international literary organization “The Dream of Equality”, and was also awarded an American creativity certificate for creating peace in the world through poetry by The Dream of Equality USA in Washington. For the poem “Autuumn Mrs Kapuścińska” she received the Golden Pen laurel from the International Creativity Forum (October 2022) in Syria. The author of dozen books and editor over a hundred.
	What do you think is the main problem of peace in your country? Suggest solutions to us, and how to bring and preserve peace in your country with poetry?	In my opinion, the biggest problem in maintaining peace in the world is the lack of tolerance and multicultural dialogue, the abuse of power against the weaker, as well as excessive ego and lack of awareness. Through poetry we can create a better, more beautiful world. If only people would stop in their rush and devote a little bit of their attention to poetry.
	List of the published books:	Moja alchemia (poetry 2015), Dziennik Snów (poetry, 2016), Ja gęgole! (satiric ,poems 2016) W poszukiwaniu siebie (poetry, 2017), Dokarmianie motyli (poetry, 2018), Magiczne pióro (fairy tale 2018), Sztuczki (miniatures of drama, 2019) Aneks do rzeczywistości (poetry, 2019), Santa City (fairy tale, 2019), Pieśń Nocy bilingual monodrama, 2020) Sztuczki (2021, republished), Gizela de Livre (tragicomic trilogy, 2021). Spokojnie, to tylko… wiersz (bilingual poetry, 2023)
	Do you expect to win the contest?	YES

You can watch and vote the video posted on Mili Dueli’s official Facebook page:

Mili Dueli 2023 – Fifth Round (Grand final)

Objava Magdalena Kapuścińska – Vidim mrak (Mili Dueli 2023 – Grand Final) pojavila se prvi puta na Mili Dueli.