At Europa Haus in Skopje, the new novel "The Thirteenth" by Macedonian author Lidija Dimkovska was launched last night. This is her first title aimed at children and young adults – a significant departure for an author who was previously known primarily for her poetry and prose for grown-up readers.

The novel is published by TRI Publishing Centre and stands out for its innovative and layered approach, addressing themes that are typically avoided in children's and young adult literature. "The Thirteenth" invites readers to engage with the author's questions and build a new relationship with themselves through the text.

Literary critics Vesna Mojsova-Chepishevska and Violeta Tancheva-Zlateva took part in the launch event. Young performers from Vesna Petrushovska's acting school – which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary – presented the work with excerpts and a dramatisation of Dimkovska's writing.

Lidija Dimkovska is one of the most translated Macedonian authors, a recipient of numerous domestic and international awards, including the European Union Prize for Literature, the German "Hubert Burda" Prize for poetry, as well as the novel prizes "Poezis" and "Tudor Arghezi".

The event is open to the public, with free admission, and began at 7 p.m. It is a unique opportunity for book lovers to meet the author and discover a new side of her creative work.