Drinovci su čuđenje u svijetu: Putopisni esej
An expanded edition of Petar Majić's travel essay, a lyrical portrait of the Herzegovinian village of Drinovci, written as a dedication to his wife who passed away too soon. Inspired by Šimić's "Poets are a Wonder in the World", the title evokes wonder at
The author traces the history of the Drinovici region from prehistory (Thracians, Illyrians, Celts, Avars, the arrival of Croats in the 7th century) through the Turkish era (preservation of Christianity since 1717, Franciscan influence), the Austro-Hungarian era, to the suffering of war (World War I, Bleiburg, Homeland War) and mass emigration. Majić writes in lyrical prose, permeated with forgotten words, personal cross and emotions, as an essay about himself, his family and his people.
The book depicts nature: the Matica River as a source of life, the springs of Tihaljina, abysses, caves (Vrbine – 300 m in diameter, 200 m deep), pits and legends (the lake, Gavan's Palace a symbol of arrogance). It describes parish life (the annual "Drinovacki zov"), education (the newspaper "Naši pokuši" 40 years), monuments (to Fra Paškal Buconjić with the largest Croatian coat of arms under communism), customs, songs.
It emphasizes the excellence of the locals: 76 priests (Fra Paškal Buconjić, Fra Anđeo Nuić), 45 nuns, 40 writers (Antun Branko Šimić, Stanislav Šimić), scientists, entrepreneurs. Diaspora in Germany, Canada, Australia, the USA - a village of 2500 inhabitants gives more than it takes. Prose and poetry (e.g. "I di god da si / Uvik rukom u škropionica...") celebrate resilience on a meager land, Croatian identity from Tihaljina to Imotski, a difficult fate: famine, wars, exodus. Rich in photographs by the author, the work is a hymn to a displaced village, an instructive and literary reading about pride, suffering and love for one's roots.
One copy is available
