Herzegovinian Franciscans memorial competition announced

The Vicepostulatura of the martyrdom of ‘Servant of God Fra Andrija Topić and 49 brothers’, led by Fra Miljenko Stojić, in collaboration with the Society of Croatian Writers of Herceg Bosna, has announced a literary and artistic competition. The theme is ‘The Sacrifice of Herzegovinian Franciscans during and after World War II’, commemorating the 66 Franciscans killed during and after the conflict.

The competition is open to three age categories: children (primary school), youth (secondary school), and adults (students and adults). Submissions can include works in literature, music, visual arts, history, computer science, artistic photography, and video.

Entries must be submitted by December 15, 2026, via email or mail to Široki Brijeg. Three awards will be granted for the best works in each category, with the ceremony scheduled for early February 2027 during the ‘Days of the Servants of God Herzegovinian Franciscans’. Organizers have also called upon schools and the University of Mostar to hold lectures regarding the historical context of these events.