All over Croatia, the region’s traditions and heritage are being preserved by enthusiastic locals who are keen to pass on the past to future generations.
People often ask me what are the main differences between living in the UK and Croatia. Apart from the joys of swapping the rain of Manchester for the sun of Hvar, the main differences are a more relaxed way of life, a very safe and natural environment for raising children, and a distinct lack of commercialism in comparison to the West. In my town the Christmas tree in the main square goes up in mid-December for example, and Christmas morning consists of 2-3 presents, a nice family meal, and that is the end of Christmas. Far less stressful.
It has always struck me how young children, particular away from the cities, are much more involved in the traditions of their communities than is the case back home. In fact, one of the joys of travelling around Croatia is seeing comunities from the rich diversity of regions in Croatia take pride in their culture, wearing the traditional dress and performing traditional music and dance, a practice which spans the generations and brings communities together.
It also performs a function of education for the young generation, a chance to show and develop their interest in the life of their grandparents and more distance ancestors.
Such traditions and heritage are uphelp usually due to the efforts and enthusiasm of a few dedicated people. People such as the lovely team which make up the wonderful Etno udruga ‘Greben’ in the Vragovici hamlet in Madjarevo near Novi Marof in Varazdin County, not somewhere on the main tourist routes for sure, but a really delightful little place, where the passion and enthusiasm of a few volunteers has really brought out an excellent collection of artefacts and houses depicting various parts of the comunity’s past and heritage. The park is also set in spacious grounds, with plenty of space to move around and enjoy the traditional delights on offer.
Here’s a little more detail than I picked up with my notebook during my visit, from a national media report after the ethno park opened.
“The Ethnopark has four traditional housing buildings that bear the names of their last owners
The Ethnopark Gradišće has been opened in the Vragovići hamlet in Mađarevo near Novi Marof. Credit goes to the ethno association Greben for their perseverance in guarding the customs and heritage of their region.
“The Ethnopark has four traditional housing buildings. They bear the names of their last owners, so we have Kata’s, Bara’s, Ivka’s and Magda’s houses. Along with them, the Ethnopark is composed of a two-part barn. Ivka’s house is intended for association members as their office, while other houses have an educational-museum function,” said association president Valentina Česi. The park also holds the ethnographical collection “Life and Customs in the Old Village House,” which has a permanent display character and will always be available to the public. The real gem of the park is Magda’s house.
“It’s a two-part housing building whose walls were made of intertwined branches of hazel trees, mud and straw. It is a very rare example of this type of construction. It is being renovated to its original state, including the original straw roof covering the house had in the 1950s and the multifunctional additional building that existed alongside. The last owners were Magdalena and Franjo Vragović. Franjo Vragović was a carpenter, also the constructor of the house. Inside is a wooden chest and drawer also made by the same man.”
Museum consultant and head of the Ethnographic Division of the Varaždin town museum Ljerka Albus said at the opening of the park that it is wonderful to return to history.
“It is lovely to see the richness of our folk cultural heritage and experience the atmosphere and warmth of people in such an ambience. May this museum in the open soon come together with modernity and become part of the cultural and touristic offer. May it be marked as a special destination on tourist maps and leaflets, as it deserves to be,” Arbus pointed out.”
I particularly liked the cooking class over a glass (or was it three?) of rakija, and my admiration for this gentleman’s holding skills were immense, as the cooking took place, before we retired into one of the houses to sample a range of traditional dishes, just as they would have done in generations gone by.
A wonderful little corner of Croatia, and an important one for preserving the traditions of the region. It is heartening to hear that the ethno park is regularly visited by school groups, who enjoy a glimpse into the past, and also that many kids are involved in the activities of Gradisce.
Why not pay a visit if you are in the region – a very nice family day out. Learn more about it on the official Facebook page.
