July 19, 2020 – Harvesting lavender on top of Hvar, what can be more magical than that? A visit to the aromatic fields of Jadran Lazic.
It has been one of my favourite summer activities for the last 7 summers, and I have not missed a single harvest.
They used to start with a 4 am wakeup call and an early descent to the top of Croatia’s premier island and straight to work before the heat became too fierce. These days, harvest lavender in the fields of Jadran Lazic takes place in the late afternoon.
Back in 2013, I accompanied Jadran on his first harvest, which consisted of one expert harvester cutting the precious lavender bushes, while Jadran used his photography expertise to record the event. It was just the three of us, the bushes were small, and we were finished within the hour.
The bushes grew, and so did the team of pickers. A grill for the workers was added to the schedule, and it became a great social event, as well as one of the most enjoyable authentic experiences of my time in Dalmatia.
No decent lavender harvest comes without the workers bursting into song. Beautiful.
Posted by Paul Bradbury on Wednesday, 17 July 2019
Especially when the workers spontaneously started singing their traditional songs while working in the fields. Listen to these guys above.
Jadran brought some of his celebrity friends from LA, all amazed at the tranquil, authentic way of life he enjoys on Hvar away from the much higher-profile life in LA.
A private tour of one man’s passion. Jadran Lazic gives a tour of his lavender field on the top of Hvar.
Posted by Paul Bradbury on Wednesday, 17 July 2019
Here is Jadran, interviewed by me last year, telling us how his project got started, before demonstrating how to cut lavender.
Sadly this year, after 7 faithful years of attendance, I was unable to make it to Hvar, but I will be there next year for sure.
My presence was clearly not missed, and the happy team from all over the world worked hard to cut the raw materials to produce 3 precious litres of lavender oil.
Jadran uses this oil daily back in the States to remind himself of Dalmatia. Always a Split boy at heart, he puts a drop on his pillow each night before bed to remind him of his beloved Dalmatia, and he sleeps like a baby.
Check out some of the photos of this year’s harvest below, as well as a video overview of the whole experience a couple of years ago.
