In the heart of the island of Krk, in the place that proudly holds the title of the highest inhabited locality on the island, an exceptional cultural event is being prepared that will revive the spirit of past times. On the upcoming Sunday, August 24, 2025, starting at 7 PM, the area in front of the Community Hall in Kras will become the stage for the presentation of a unique book by Radmila Borović, titled "Kraska pešćica pešća". This work, which transcends the form of a classic book, is a monumental monograph that records in detail and with much love the history and soul of Kras, one of the oldest settlements on the island, whose roots are mentioned as far back as the early 13th century.

A Chronicle of a Time Fading from Memory

The author, Radmila Borović, a vibrant woman from Kras who has entered her 88th year, uses her pen to write a vivid tapestry of life not only in her hometown but in the entire Dobrinjština region and the island of Krk. The pages of the book take us on a journey through time, reviving everyday life from the turbulent 1940s to the present day. It is a story of generations who built their lives in completely different circumstances, in a world without electricity, without television screens to break the evening silence, without paved roads, and without a bridge to connect the island to the mainland. The book is a moving testimony to times when one had to make a superhuman effort for a "crust of bread," working from dawn till dusk on barren land, and the sense of community was so strong that the entire village shared both joy and sorrow, staying awake at night to mourn each of its deceased members.

Through detailed descriptions, the reader gains insight into forgotten customs that once formed the core of daily life. The author describes with nostalgia, but also with exceptional precision, how holidays were celebrated, what dishes were prepared from modest ingredients grown with their own hands, which agricultural crops were cultivated, and how seeds were saved for the next sowing. She brings to life the sounds of village festivities, the songs that echoed through the fields, and moments of shared grief, comparing these deeply rooted traditions with today's often alienated habits of the modern era. All who decide to visit this event can also find ideal accommodation in Kras and thus experience a part of the atmosphere the book speaks of on the spot.

A Generation of Unprecedented Transition: From Plowed Fields to Swimming Pools

A special value of the book lies in the fact that it was the author's generation that witnessed and lived through the most dramatic transition in the island's history. Their life path began with a wooden plow and a stone millstone, tools that had fed the population for millennia, and ends in the era of digital technology, with computers and smartphones. "Kraska pešćica pešća" masterfully summarizes this incredible civilizational leap through a powerful metaphor that poses a key question: what all happened in the time span between the one hundred carefully cultivated fields that Kras once had, and the one hundred private swimming pools it has today as a symbol of the new era and tourism? This metaphor speaks not only of the change in landscape but also of profound changes in mentality, social values, and way of life. It is precisely this tourist transformation that has changed the place Kras from an agricultural center into a desirable destination that is a theme pervading this work.

Kras – A Historical Gem of Dobrinjština

Kras, as the setting of this book's plot, was not chosen by chance. Located at about 250 meters above sea level, it was a strategic point and one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on the island. Its history is deeply intertwined with the history of Dobrinj, a former castle and the administrative center of this part of the island. The area was inhabited as early as prehistoric times, and the town itself developed on karst terrain, from which it got its name. Radmila Borović's book thus also becomes an important document that preserves local history, offering new perspectives and details that will be of inestimable importance for future generations and all those who wish to understand the past of the island of Krk more deeply. Exploring the history of this region is an ideal activity for all visitors who choose Kras as their holiday base.

A Treasury of the Dobrinj Čokavica Dialect

One of the most valuable aspects of this monograph is the language in which it is written. The author wrote the entire work in the autochthonous speech of her region, the specific Dobrinj Čokavica dialect. It is an archaic form of the Chakavian dialect characterized by the use of the pronoun "čo" instead of "ča" and other phonetic and lexical peculiarities. Today, when globalization and language standardization are suppressing local dialects, the Dobrinj Čokavica is heard less and less in everyday communication, and it is especially rarely used in written form. Therefore, this book is not just an ethnographic study but also a first-rate linguistic monument. It becomes a permanent record of a dialect, an invaluable source of data for dialectologists and linguists, and a strong incentive for the preservation of the linguistic heritage that forms the foundation of every community's identity.

An Invitation to a Celebration of Heritage

The presentation of the book "Kraska pešćica pešća" is conceived as a celebration of local culture and history. It is believed that this work will become a faithful witness of a time and indispensable literature for ethnologists, historians, dialectologists, but above all, for all lovers of Kras, Dobrinjština, and the entire island of Krk. The editor of the book is Irena Grdinić, a well-known cultural figure, while the printing was made possible by funds from the Municipality of Dobrinj, which continuously supports projects aimed at preserving the rich cultural and historical heritage of its region. This event is an opportunity to pay tribute to the generation that bridged worlds and preserved stories that would otherwise have been irretrievably lost.