2nd HISTROKOZMOS
Guest Region: Konavle

29th November - 8th December 2024
House of Croatian Defenders

The second Histrokozmos, a “fair within the fair,” an important program segment of the jubilee 30th Book Fair(y) in Istria, featured its first guest region – Konavle.

It was a magical encounter of Terra Magica and Terra Etherica — through words, images, sounds, scents, and tastes — owing much to the great friend of the Fair, Konavle native Vlaho Bogišić. He honored the Pula Histrokozmos with the premiere presentation of his valuable Rječnik zaljubljenika u Konavle (Dictionary of Lovers of Konavle), while the people of Konavle showcased their artistic world through an exhibition of landscapes by academic painter Antonija Rusković.

A particularly emotional moment came with the program dedicated to the memory of the Fair’s dear friend, beloved author of the Pula audience, renowned writer and translator Luko Paljetak. Memories of this great artist and close friend were brought to life in song by Tereza Kesovija, the most famous woman from Konavle.

The microcosms of Istria and Konavle, in which the beginning of one and the end of another identity world mirror and intertwine, also met through the program La gente di frontiera (People of the Border). The themes of cultural identity shaped by life along borders were discussed by literary interpreters and Fair authors — Nada Gašić, writer; Egidio Ivetić, philosopher and professor of Mediterranean history at the University of Padua, originally from Pula — and once again, the perceptive, witty philosopher, journalist, and essayist Dragutin Lucić Luce won everyone over.

The inspired host was Nikša Kušelj, actor and poet, and both Istrian and Konavle winemakers joined forces, led by Moreno Coronica, Ivica Matošević, Niko Karaman, Petar Crvik, Vlaho Ivaniš, and Niko Zore. The audience — thoroughly enjoyed it.

Istria, its history, customs, and contemporary moment were the focus of Histrokozmos programs — Lukežijana, Istra ispod kore (Istria Beneath the Bark), Sakramenske, and Saga o vinu (The Saga of Wine).

Histrokozmos, originally created as a tribute to Franko Lukež, in its second edition continued through Lukežijana to present the rich heritage left behind by one of Croatia’s most distinguished experts in food and wine culture. There was standing room only at the premiere of his book Poslovice o iću i piću (Proverbs about Food and Drink), published by the Croatian University Press under the editorship of Anita Šikić, in co-edition with Castropola from Pula. The book, prepared by Petra Lukež, was also among the top-selling titles of the 30th Fair.

Powerful, distinctive, unique, and unyielding — Evelina Rudan, Tamara Obrovac, Sunčica Mustać, and Đurđica Orepić were the first Sakramenske, stars of a program created in honor of strong women of Istria. With the charming hosting duo Milan Rakovac and Iva Đorđo Nemec, the Sakramenske were accompanied by the “melancholic knights” — the winemakers of Istria.

In Istria Unearthed, a special place was dedicated to Professor Ivan Matejčić, known in academic circles as Mens Acris in Corpore Commodo, who was also the central figure of the program Istarska baština: Noblesse oblige (Istrian Heritage: Noblesse Oblige).

The premieres of the books Zidovi pamte (Walls Remember) by Eric Ušić and Istarska freskočašća (Istrian Fresco Devotions) by Igor Grbić, as well as the CD Apoxyomenos recomposed, by Tamara Obrovac, were presented.

Portraits of Istria, the Adriatic, and the Mediterranean were illuminated at the Fair’s finale by esteemed historians Egidio Ivetić and Maurizio Levak, while Istrian singers (kantaduri) turned the closing of Histrokozmos and the 30th Fair into a true Istrian celebration: the project “Kantaduri” by Edi Cukerić, Daniele Pernić, and Maurizio Ferlin, produced by the Tondak Association, premiered.

In the Red Salon, traditional singing — na tanko i debelo — filled the air as Istria and its heritage were joyfully celebrated.

The Wine Tales were told on the main stage in the central hall by sommeliers of the Croatian Sommelier Club and Istrian winemakers, who through guided degustations, rounded out the story of Istria as a land of wine.