This September, MA student Sofija Kirsanov published her debut poetry collection, Miris tvoje utrobe (The Scent of Your Womb), with the Montenegrin publisher Fokalizator as part of its contemporary poetry series.
Structured in three cycles, the book blends deeply personal and existential reflections with political and historical themes. Sofija explains,
“The poetry engages with questions of authoritarianism, religious nationalism, fascism, and political history, while also addressing collective memory, violence, and the complexities of identity in post-conflict societies.”
Her poems combine visceral lyricism with explicit political critique, moving between confession, philosophical meditation, and historical commentary. Sofija emphasizes that her background in political science shaped the language and imagery of the collection:
“My political science background is evident in the language and imagery of the poems, which frequently draw on the lexicon of ideology, law, and power, as I wanted the work to resonate both as literature and as a reflection on political life.”
Beyond Montenegro, Miris tvoje utrobe is already reaching an international audience. In 2025, the German translation of her poetry was presented at the Leipzig Book Fair, one of Europe’s largest literary events, which gathers nearly 300,000 visitors annually.
Selections from the book in German can be read on the publisher’s website: https://fokalizator.me/wie-all-die-grossen/