Velebit se nadvio nad more: Putopisni zapisi s planine

The book consists of ten travelogues, most of which are published for the first time in this collection, and some of which have previously seen the light of day in magazines such as Naše planine, Zadarska revija and Forum. Balen, a World War II veteran and anti-fascist, persecuted under several political systems, returns here to his roots through a nostalgic but deeply authentic view of the Velebit world. The book is an original undertaking that successfully balances between a poetic experience of nature and a popular-scientific approach, rich in testimonies about the life of the local population.

The center of the work are endless wanderings on Velebit in the company of his friend Dana Vukušić, who is also the dedicatee of the book. Balen describes enchanting landscapes: from rocky peaks and deep gardens to coastal bays, where the mountain "overhangs the sea" in a symbiosis of wilderness and sea. One of the most memorable stories leads to Hajdučki kukovi, where the author mixes memories of climbs with personal reflections on freedom and survival. The second, about Lake Maša by Pero Mijatov, reveals the mystical side of the mountain – legends about fairies, fairy guides and ancient customs.

The book delves deeply into the ethno-cultural world of Podgorje: the migrations of Croatian nomads, professions such as cable car drivers and tenants, customs related to the padeže and torine. Balen evokes everyday life through anecdotes about rujama (shepherd's huts), Rab's kapljica (waterfalls), local taverns and processes such as covering houses with thatch. He talks about fashion and clothing - folk costumes, songs and music - and about difficult times: famine, war and migration. Localisms, anachronisms and legends weave a tapestry of life in which nature, history and human destiny intertwine. The author critically reflects on the changes in mountain life, condemning urbanization that threatens authenticity.