UPDATE: We have heard that the fine has been dropped against Barbershop ‘Zvonko’ and this cult Split establishment will continue working! Thank you, good people of Split!
Citizens, beloved restaurants and establishments in the city center of Split came together to rescue barbershop ‘Zvonko’, a historic barbershop which was shut down by the Labor Inspectorate just a few weeks ago.
The citizen’s initiative hopes to raise funds for this Split institution to ensure they can open their doors once again and to bring the two barbershop pensioners to work. This cult barbershop is one of the last remaining charms of Split’s city center, which is now taken over by trendy restaurants, shoe stores, and souvenir shops.
Selma Katunarić explains what is being done, in detail, on behalf of the initiative, reports Dalmatinski Portal on December 4, 2017.
A background on what happened
Barbershop ‘Zvonko’, one of the oldest and original cult spots in Split, opened its doors in 1952. Just a few weeks ago, however, their door was sealed by the Labor Inspectorate who punished ’Zvonko’ with a 30,000 HRK fine.
The reason: two pensioners hoping to continue their tradition and preserve this cult institution, proceeded to shave and cut the hair of their fellow citizens for 25 kunas, and they did not manage their status. Yes, you heard that right.
It’s not hard to see why the citizens have come together to rescue ‘Zvonko’.
“First, this is a cult establishment, one of the last ones left to us. Secondly, although there is a crime, the question is how much these two retired ‘tycoons’ could profit and whether it was their goal.
Then, when we look at who the state saves and punishes, the question is: “Where is the justice?”
Why are some people tolerated with massive economic and criminal crimes and these two pensioners are allowed no options to fix their status and pay their penalty?”
Fortunately, the people of Split are finding it in their hearts to give the gift of giving this holiday season, and they’ve made it even easier for anyone interested in supporting this Split institution.
Small donation boxes can be found at the following addresses through next Monday, December 11, 2017:
1. Corto Maltese Freestyle food, Obrov 7
2. Caffe Bar – Bistro NoStress, Iza Lože 9
3. Nadalina – Luxor d.o.o., Dioklecijanova 6
4. Antique bar, Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 6
5. DeBelly , Morpurgova poljana 2
6. Kućica Cicibela (in front of the bank on the Riva)
“During your adventures with sausages and mulled-wine, go to these locations, and donate however much kuna you desire to keep this craft and this cult space here. We do not allow the silent people to go deaf, and the small, working system melts because of merits, passionless Dalmatians, whatever. This is ours, they are part of us, we are part of this city, we are the City,” said the citizen’s call to action.
“When the donation boxes are filled, we will give them to the owners of Barbershop ’Zvonko’. They will tell us how much they have been able to gather. If necessary, we will repeat the action once more.”
Curiosity works, and while this is a civic initiative of Split, friends from other parts of Croatia have also reached out with interest in helping Barbershop ‘Zvonko’.
