A book on the culinary aromas and flavours of the Međimurje region among our diaspora communities is the fruit of many years of research and the collaboration and friendship of two natives of Čakovec. The work encapsulates their love of their native region
Rebeka Mesarić Žabčić PhD is a research advisor working at the Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies. She has worked since 2000 on research into the Croatian diaspora. She lives and works in Zagreb. Sonja Tošić Grlač PhD is known to many people in the Međimurje region as the head of the Međimurje County department for health and social welfare. This book, they noted, aims to open a window to readers around the world, in particular to those with roots in the Međimurje region, to the discovery and better understanding of their identity and love of the region.
The book has seen a print run of 300 copies. In its opening section it provides data on emigration out of the Međimurje region and the attendant migration of the local culinary aromas and flavours. The following section details recipes from the region and ends with a dictionary of Međimurje cooking terms.
The book presentation was hosted on the evening of the 18th of March by the Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies and Međimurje County, with the Pomurje Croatian Culture Society of Lendava on hand to provide musical entertainment.
The book was presented by one of its reviewers, Daniela Angelina Jeličić PhD. On hand at the packed Zrinski hall of the Scheier building in Čakovec to speak of the value of this work, the importance of a love for the native region, faith and family, was Međimurje County prefect Matija Posavec. Also on hand on behalf of the publisher, the Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies and Međimurje County, was Marina Perić Kaselj PhD. They were all unanimous in their sentiment that this book evoked memories and aromas associated with childhood and the native region, in this case our beloved Međimurje.
See and read more at: moja-domovina.net
Article and photography by: mnovine.hr / Roberta Radović