63RD ŠIMIĆ MEETINGS 2025

Grude and Mostar will once again host the traditional cultural and literary event this year. Šimić's meetings, which will be held from April 17 to 24, 2026 in honor of the great poet Antun Branko Šimić.

The program begins on Friday, April 17, with the opening of the event and a holy mass for Antun Branko and Stanislav Šimić in the parish church in Drinovci. After the mass, the opening of an exhibition dedicated to Alojzije Stepinac is planned, which focuses on the influence of communist propaganda on the perception of the Zagreb archbishop.

On Monday, April 20, the book of poems "In Front of Our House an Apple" by Mijo Tokić will be presented in Grude, along with a musical recital program by students of the Antun Branko Šimić High School.

The central part of the program continues on Wednesday, April 22, in Mostar, where flowers will be laid at the monument to AB Šimić, followed by a poetry collage in honor of the poet at the Croatian Home of Herceg Stjepan Kosača.

The final day, Friday, April 24, brings a rich program in Grude and Drinovci, including meetings between writers and students, wreath-laying, a ceremonial academy, and the awarding of awards to the best young poets and visual artists. The annual "Antun Branko Šimić" award of the Croatian Writers' Association of Herceg-Bosnia will also be presented, along with a musical performance and the opening of an exhibition of student works. The event will end with a closing ceremony.

This year's Šimić meetings once again confirm the importance of preserving literary heritage and encouraging young people to engage in artistic creativity, with a message from Šimić himself:
"Man, be careful not to go under the stars, little one!"