“Paraf Punk”, which was written in graffiti by the first Croatian punk band Paraf in 1977, receives an interesting recognition in Rijeka.
The “Paraf Punk” graffiti, written in 1977, is being declared as a protected monument of importance, published municipal portal Rijeka.hr. The decision on the protection of this graffiti was assured by Mayor of Rijeka Vojko Obersnel.
“In some sort of Croatian political standard, we here in Rijeka take on more punk politics – as much as an oxymoron that is linking politics with punk…but in Rijeka everything is possible and so is this,” concluded Mayor Obersnel, as reported by Rijeka.hr.
The graffiti “Paraf Punk” was painted by members of the band Paraf themselves with white oil paint on asphalt pavement. The graffiti is located on the steps that descend from Kozala by the Park Nikole Hosta.
The caption from HR-Radio Rijeka states, “Once a symbol of rebellion, today spilled paint – Rijeka punk and culture go hand in hand.”
Members of Paraf (Valter Kocijančić, Zdravko Čabrijan and Dušan Ladavac) lived in Rijeka (by the park) and in August 1977, held an unannounced half-hour performance in the park with songs that are considered to be the first punk songs in Eastern Europe.
The initiative to designate the Paraf graffiti as a cultural heritage site was done by publicist and journalist Velid Đekić, who examines Rijeka heritage.
“This graffiti is a direct witness to the very early onset of punk as a subculture movement in the US and over a much wider area, and it is one of Europe’s valuable characters – the urban spirit of Rijeka, and cultural faktum itself,” stated Rijeka.hr.
The mayor’s decision now has to be confirmed by the City Council of the City of Rijeka.
