Licitar Love from Croatia
DESTINATION CROATIA | TRAVEL MEMOIR & PHOTOS BRISEIS ONFRAY
Where the sea whispers in jade temptations to lure the wild and free. Where the soil is so rich and cultured it has nourished family-inherited lavender farms, vineyards, olive and fig tree orchards for centuries. And where island life traditions prosper with healthy living and happy people. This place is so beautiful it breaks hearts to leave. ⚓️
Croatia is one of Europe’s most loved summer destinations. Her beauty, beyond words. Her history has sailed across the Adriatic Sea and back since ancient Roman times. Each one of her islands are unique and the residential ones are dream drops of lifestyle perfection. Dubrovnik is her medieval heart throb. Also a UNESCO World Heritage listed travel fascination that leaves visitors with awe-struck impressions to last a lifetime. But Croatia’s sweetest surprise is her traditional token of love. A little, red, national treasure, the licitar heart.
Handmade on wood with a little, piece of mirror placed in the centre, on Valentine’s Day, young men would gift their lucky loves with a licitar heart and then stand behind her while she admired it. On seeing his reflection in the mirror, it made him the ‘one’. Sweet truth. But the sweetest story comes from the traditional artisan makers of the edible licitar hearts.
CONTRIBUTOR Eva Bošković | artisan Antonija Ranogajec | IMAGES courtesy of Blažeković licitari
THE SWEETEST CRUSH
Blažeković Gingerbread and Candle Maker Workshop, owner and maker Antonija Ranogajec with her husband.
There are many artisans making licitar hearts all over Croatia, mostly in the north. However, in the city of Osijek in the east, is the original Blažeković Gingerbread and Candle Maker workshop, founded in 1953 by Croatian craftsman Franjo Blažeković. His signature technique, skill and sacred ‘Blažeković’ recipe were successfully passed on to his daughter Antonija Ranogajec and her family, still following Franjo’s original technique and recipe to this day.
The licitar craft has become a national treasure. So much so that in 2009, this ‘Blažeković’ tradition was recognised as one of the most valued heritage crafts to the Republic of Croatia. Antonija was awarded by the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts to preserve the ‘Blažeković’ workshop and recipe, now inscribed onto UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
If travelling in Croatia and looking for an authentic, local experience, be sure to visit Antonija at her artisan store Blažeković Gingerbread and Candle Maker Workshop. This is a UNESCO protected cultural tradition and one of Croatia’s most loved souvenirs.
CONTACT: Blažeković Gingerbread and Candle Maker Workshop
facebook.com/blazekoviclicitari
Below is a video filmed at the Blažeković workshop documenting the process of making licitar ornaments. however the recipe is sacred and protected by UNeSCO, but there are variations found online.
This video was created by Eva Bošković. She is a teacher and award-winning entrepreneur in foreign language. Her online language school is called ERYIA.
@evabosh
"I am extremely proud of my country and its tradition, especially when it comes to the craft of making Licitar decorations." Eva Bošković