At the beginning of March we were invited to a large gathering of firement in Sunja, so we gladly decided to attend and visit a few more friends. We received a lot of praise and thankfulness for the mural we painted a few months on their tower. Here’s some pics from that evening, starting with our team, Andrea, Kris and I.
We of course checked our murals
And we met a lot of friends at the local bar Piccolo
We also visited some friends. Here with Filip’s parents. Remember the amazing video he produced a few years ago?
Nada welcomed us again at her place, and we took time to remember her sweet husband who just passed away
And here’s the original team, who met when the Civil March for Aleppo passed through Sunja exactly 7 years ago, in March 2017, and kept up friendship and cooperation with many projects: Jelica, Jasmina, Anna and Josip.
More than four years have passed since the promise made to Ivan and the Sunja firefighters to paint the image of St. Florian, their patron saint, on the turret. Covid and other complications were the cause of this delay…
Here we are, at the moment of the promise, August 2019:
And so, one beautiful day in September, Paolo, Irena, Andrea, Elena and I left for Sunja, with a nice load of colors and brushes and… enthusiasm!
First thing, the projection of the drawing, a Saint Florian created by our dear Josip. We had to get used to getting on the ladder truck but everything went fine.
Here are some photos of the work in progress:
The grand finale, the finished work
At the same time, we also worked on the mural created in 2018, brightening up the red of the heart which had faded a little and adding two trees on the sides. Here too, Zvonko lifted us with a smaller truck and Josip, between one photo and another, also gave us a hand.
Some photos of the dear family who hosted us in their wonderful farm, with indescribable hospitality. Thanks Nada and Mika
In Sunja we have many friends who have hosted us and supported our initiatives over the years, starting with the mayor, Mr. Grga. Here he is in the photo (third from the left) with Ivica, the fire brigade commander (second from the right).
Visiting Jelica and Ivo
At the library, where Jasmina works
Other photos that communicate the joy of these days, the gratitude and the bonds of friendship that were formed in this special town and that will always live in our hearts.
With the exception of the pandemic period, we have been to Sunja, a town south of Zagreb, several times, since 2017. We were able to hold meetings, paint murals, do clownterapy, perform Flash Mob dances, hold workshops in the kindergarten, partecipate in youth events and most importantly establish some long lasting relationships with several dear friends there.
Sunja is indeed a very special town, which took a special place in our hearts.
So, it was time for another visit! And this time I went with Andrea, and we even had the luxury to travel by car.
Josip and Jasmina, as usual, took care of our logistics and made sure our time in Sunja was pleasant but also busy.
We first met with the mayor of Sunja and with the head of the local fireman station, to discuss the painting of the mural dedicated to Saint Florian, patron saint of the firemen.
This mural has to finally get done, as we were supposed to paint it in the summer of 2020!
That evening we were invited to the Firemen regional assembly, and it was officially announced, followed by a great clapping of hands, that the mural will happen!
We also met with Ivana, the director of kindergarden Bambi, and went to visit the school, which in the meantime underwent lots of improvements thanks to some grants she took the time to apply for. The mural is still in super shape and right on that day this memory appeared on Andrea’s phone.
A brief visit to dear Jelica, who unfortunately just injured her arm, but was still smiling, and even laughing, and still planning activities. You just can’t keep a good man down, in this case, a woman!
We also visited Visnja and Marijan, Filip’s parents. Filip is the author of two beautifulvideos, and currently working in Germany.
It was also great to meet with Ivan and Sara, two of the young people we’ve been keeping in touch with. Ivan has been carrying on a personal project of changing his part of the world by regularly cleaning various areas of Sunja. Here is a picture taken just before we had to hop in the car and return to Rijeka. There was also Jasmina, who still works as the town’s librarian and Josip, a jack of all trades, and a friend to all who need help.
Our big mural is also still in top shape, shining his rays of joy and hope throughout this lovely town that, inspite of war and earthquakes and many other challenges, is still bringing a great and positive contribution to our world.
A big thank you to Nada and Nikola for the great and genuine hospitality in their beautiful farm. And…see you soon!
It was time to return to visit this wonderful village located in eastern Croatia and just a few kilometers from Bosnia, where we have done many activities in the past and established deep and loving friendships. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, in 2020 we had to cancel a summer camp which also included the creation of a mural in the local fire department.
As it happens, I arrived in Sunja on the day of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters; I met the commander who renewed the proposal to paint the mural, as well as the mayor, enthusiastic as always to collaborate in these initiatives. In the photo below, with Jasmina (she was the first one to receive us in March 2017) and then with Josip and Jelica she helped to coordinate the various activities carried out since then. A truly Dream Team, and very dear friends!
Our mural is always in great shape (even after four years) and sheds sunshine everywhere. Below: also visiting the other mural, at the “Bambi” kindergarten.
A few more pics of the days spent in Sunja:
And finally, some good news from Ivan, one of the young people in Sunja who has decided to regularly collect the garbage unfortunately left around (and this happens not only in Sunja) thus trying to change his part of the world. A truly admirable example. Here are some photos of his work that shows “before and after”, but we will talk more about him and we will ask him how it all started …
Better World Croatia / Per un mondo migliore 