Ratković Poetry Evenings
Three September evenings of poetry and the regional Risto Ratković Award.
This event has ended
It returns every year — dates for the next edition haven't been announced yet.
Bijelo Polje is a small town on the Lim in Montenegro's north, and for three evenings each September it becomes the meeting point of the region's poetry scene. The setting matters: holding part of the programme at the poet's birthplace by the river ties the festival physically to the writer it honours.
The festival's centrepiece is the Risto Ratković Award for the best poetry book of the year, decided through an open competition spanning Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Around it runs an international poetry evening with guest poets, poetry workshops for high-school students, monodramas and book promotions.
The tone is the festival's signature: an unpretentious, serious literary gathering run by a dedicated public institution, where audiences hear the year's strongest new collections read by their authors. There is no spectacle to it — just poets, readers and three concentrated evenings of new writing, heard in the town the festival's namesake came from.
Cultural festival
With more than fifty-five editions behind it, the festival's opening date is fixed by sentiment: every edition begins on the poet's birthday. The workshops for high-school students quietly do the long-term work, growing the next generation of readers and writers in the region.
The festival takes place 3–5 September in Bijelo Polje. All events are free and open to the public — including the award ceremony and the readings.
What to expect
55+ editions
One of Montenegro's oldest literary festivals, held since the 1970s.
Opens on the poet's birthday
Every edition begins on 3 September, Risto Ratković's birthday.
Regional poetry award
The Risto Ratković Award is open to poets from Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
Poetry for the young
The festival runs dedicated workshops for high-school students.
At the poet's birthplace
Part of the programme takes place at Ratković's birthplace on the banks of the Lim.
Serious but open
Everything, from the readings to the award ceremony, is free and open to the public.
What happens when
September 3 – 5, 2026
- Thu3SepThursday, September 3Opening on the poet's birthdayThe festival opens, with events at Ratković's birthplace on the Lim.
- Sat5SepSaturday, September 5Closing eveningThe final evening of readings and programmes.
Where it takes place
Plan your stay
Bijelo Polje — where to stay and how to get around
Live offers from local hosts on our booking platform. Nothing is charged online — you pay the host on site.
Booking requests are confirmed by the host; payment on site. Offers come from the Travel to Montenegro booking platform.
More events
What else is on in Montenegro around the same time.
Days of Humor and Satire "Vuko Bezarević"
Five June days of comedy theatre and the "Tipar" satire award at Pljevlja's Center for Culture.
Autumn Folklore Festival
Regional folk ensembles, vocal groups and majorettes fill Herceg Novi over five free autumn days.
Meetings under the Old Olive Tree
Children's poetry and art celebrated beneath Bar's 2,000-year-old olive tree each November.
