Author Darija Filipović Ostojić presented her novel Laika Is Watching You, or Red Lipstick as a Shield at the 69th International Belgrade Book Fair, announcing a special book promotion in Banja Luka on December 1 at the Jazavac City Theatre.
The novel explores themes of growing up, loss, friendship and the pursuit of personal freedom, following a woman’s journey toward independence and self-discovery.
A story of loss, belonging and personal freedom
Laika Is Watching You, or Red Lipstick as a Shield follows Dijana, a woman whose life has been shaped by a childhood marked by war, the loss of her home and the struggle to find a place where she truly belongs.
From her early experiences of displacement to her determination to stop living according to other people’s expectations, Dijana gradually discovers the courage to make her own choices.
Throughout the novel, Laika, birds and red lipstick serve as powerful symbols of her emotional transformation.
These recurring motifs reflect her journey from fear and the need for approval toward self-confidence and the freedom to choose her own path.
At its heart, the novel tells the story of people who have lost their homes but have never lost their wings.
Special book promotion scheduled for December 1 in Banja Luka
Speaking on RTRS’s morning program, Filipović Ostojić described the novel as a book intended for everyone, emphasizing the universal nature of its themes.
She also announced a special promotion in Banja Luka, scheduled for December 1 at the Jazavac City Theatre.
The author explained that the event holds particular emotional significance because of her personal connection to the city.
“A special promotion is planned for Banja Luka because it is a special city for me. I was not born there, but I was accepted. It is the city that welcomed me, where I grew as a person and where all the people I love are,” Filipović Ostojić said.
Following its presentation at the Belgrade Book Fair, the upcoming event in Banja Luka will provide readers with another opportunity to discover the novel and its themes of resilience, identity and the search for belonging.
Source: RTRS
