Arguably the most deserved award of all at the 2017 FIJET Marco Polo awards at the Society of Croatian Journalists in Zagreb on December 14, 2017 went to Dagmar Meneghello from Palmizana, in recognition of her outstanding cultural contribution to Croatia over more than fifty years.
She is one of the most colourful and charismatic people on the tourism scene on the island of Hvar, and also one of the least appreciated.
Imagine being a cultured journalist in Zagreb falling for a man who lived on an island with no water, electricity or people, and being persuaded to give up a vibrant Bohemian lifestyle to live on that island and build up what has become one of the top tourist destinations in all Croatia, depsite all the obstacles. Starved of her beloved art, Dagmar Meneghello decided to bring art to Palmizana, and what she has achieved in more than 50 years on that idyllic but at times lonely island is nothing short of miraculous.
I was thrilled to see Dagmar in the audience last week at the 2017 FIJET Marco Polo awards at the Society of Croatian Journalists, and even more thrilled when she was presented with an award for her outstanding contribution to Croatian culture. No award that day was more deserved.
Bravo Dagmar, and many thanks for all you have done.
I was fortunate to have been able to interview Dagmar shortly after she celebrated 50 years of living on Palmizana. It is a fascinating interview, which you can read here.
