Stone Cradle of the Written Word
Stari Grad, recognized as the stone cradle of the first written word on Croatian soil, is a natural gathering place where writers meet, nurture and promote the written word and, under the wing of a series of festivals and events, gather a faithful audience that gladly visits Stari Grad for its rich cultural contents.
All of these events are held under the name Stari Grad-Faros: the Stone Cradle of the Written Word, a unique cultural brand which traditionally hosts Chakavian poetry evenings titled The Language of our Mothers and the International Festival of Literature Faro(pi)s. Alongside these two central manifestations, literary events are enriched by other gatherings promoting language and culture, as well as by direct interactions of authors and audience, making Stari Grad a special and distinguishable place for a unique, culturally enriched vacation experience.
THE LANGUAGE OF OUR MOTHERS – MEETINGS OF CROATIAN POETESSES
Succeeding the great 16th century poetess Gracioza Lovrinčeva, a contemporary of Petar Hektorović whose existence is shrouded in a veil of mystery to this very day, a circle of Chacaviak poetesses from Hvar began their work in Tvrdalj in 2004. The poetesses gather in the heart of summer, now already around 15 of them, and read poems in the language of their mothers. Every five years they publish a collection comprising of poems performed in that period.
With these gatherings the poetesses of Hvar satiate their need to socialize, in the process saving from oblivion many events, customs, and language which is quite alive on Hvar and abounding in beautiful expressions. This manifestation isn’t only food for the soul of the poetesses, but also for the increasingly large audience which, with a lot of emotion and approval, enjoys the lyrics in their own Hvar Chakavian dialect: nourished, affirmed and passed on by the talented women of Hvar Island.
FARO(PI)S – INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE
During the last two decades of its existence, the Hvar Festival of Literature has grown into a serious literary manifestation of an international character, connecting authors and audience in the excellent atmosphere of the always beautiful ambiance of Škor Square.
During the Festival, the entire town lives with renowned domestic and regional writers that are integrated in the community; they live and communicate with the audience while bringing their literary work closer to them in the friendly atmosphere of readings and meet-and-greets, which makes this Festival a truly special and favourite event for locals and tourists alike.
The organisers of the festival are Jovan Brajović and Mejra Mujičić, directors of the Moira gallery.
