Bošković – kalendar Hrvatskog prirodoslovnog društva

As a Jesuit and Ragusan polymath, Bošković left an indelible mark on European scholarship, especially with his work Theory of Natural Philosophy (1758). The calendar highlights his connection to Croatian identity, confirmed by correspondence in Croatian with relatives, including his sister Anica.

Special contributions deal with the folk names and letters of Anica Bošković, the first Croatian woman writer. The origin of the name “Bošković”, derived from “Boško”, a folk name common among Croats in eastern Herzegovina since the Middle Ages, is analyzed. The contributions discuss the continuity of the name despite the influence of the Council of Trent, which favored Christian names. Anica’s letters, written to her brother Ruđer, stand out for their literary value and testify to her spirituality, education, and family ties. Her work, including Pastoral Conversation (1758), is mentioned as a pioneering contribution to Croatian literature.

The calendar, enriched with scientific and cultural insights, celebrates the Boškovićs as a symbol of Croatian intellectual heritage, connecting science, literature, and folk tradition.