Magistra Iadertina, Vol. 3 No. 1, 2008.
Professional paper
DISTANT VICINITY – ORAL AND HOMELAND MOTIFS IN MALI GLAGOLJAŠI BY DANIEL NAČINOVIĆ
Ivan Grgurević
; Odjel za obrazovanje učitelja i odgojitelja Sveučilište Jurja Dobrile u Puli
Abstract
Daniel Načinović (1952) is a prominent, fruitful and versatile middle-generation Croatian writer from Istria. He has been writing for children from his literary beginnings. Even the surface analysis of his work would reveal not only modernism, but also three other dominant features: homeland motifs, oral heritage and certain occasionality or, better said, occasional inspiration. Three of his "illustrated" books that are best suited for analysis of oral and homeland motifs are: "Burrra", "Kravata Velog Jože ili vilinska svadba u pulskoj Areni" and "Mali glagoljaši".
"Mali glagoljaši" is a story of two children from Zagreb, brother and sister named Dubravko and Karmela, who came to Roč in Istria during their summer break in order to attend "Small Glagolitic Academy" and learn the Glagolitic alphabet. The story consists of prosaic text in which the author incorporated seven poems titled with cardinal numbers from one to seven. Prosaic text was written in standard language, while the poems were written in Čakavian dialect. The children travel from Zagreb to Istria and back by "Zvonimirtrans", i.e. they fly on a horse with King Zvonimir, and upon their arrival to Roč they are welcomed by a famous Glagolitic writer žakan Juri.
Prosaic text and poems are filled with oral and the author's homeland motifs. King Zvonimir presents Istria and its architectural, music and oral tradition to the children. Čakavian dialect in verses of "Mali glagoljaš" is actually homage to Glagolitic writers, originators of Croatian literacy and literature. The author emphasized artistic beauty of Glagolitic alphabet and its "wisdom". Reading the letters of Glagolitic alphabet reveals the message: "I (who) know the letters, say (that) it is good to live". By reading Glagolitic letters the children learn about the need for knowledge, serenity and optimism in life. But, they do not learn only that – while reading the poems the children become aware that learning the Glagolitic alphabet is equal to creating or discovering the world. King Zvonimir and žakan Juri are historical figures, but children will perceive them as characters from legend and tradition, particularly King Zvonimir. "Mali glagoljaši" is a fantastic children's story. Duality of tradition (and history) and present is actually apparent. History determines our spirituality, our belonging and our identity. Children cannot identify themselves with King Zvonimir and žakan Juri, because they are not mythical characters, but they can talk to the King and Glagolitic writers as with someone from "distant, distant vicinity".
Keywords
akademija; glagoljica; kralj Zvonimir; Roč; žakan Juri
Hrčak ID:
35624
URI
Publication date:
13.12.2008.
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