“1100 kilometres for 1100 therapies” becomes a book and inspires Zagreb public 

The book Srcem kroz planine

The Via Adriatica Trail is a 1100-kilometre-long mountain trail that stretches from Prevlaka in southern Croatia to Cape Kamenjak in Istria. 

“Already as a young man I wanted to write, but I soon realised that I am not good at making up stories, I have to experience an adventure in my own life in order to turn it into a book. I also noticed that a story can only come to life when there is one key factor, and that is people. Before the first step on the Via Adriatica route as part of the humanitarian action “1100 kilometres for 1100 therapies”, I thought I would be most fascinated by the natural beauties of Croatia – and they are, but it turned out that I was most impressed by individuals. Man for man, man for children, children for the fulfilment of man’s heart – that is the guiding thought permeated throughout the book,” said Ranko Dragičević at today’s promotion of his book Srcem kroz planine held in Zagreb.

Ranko Dragičević

The humanitarian action, now forever written down and translated into a book, was launched in order to keep about 3,200 hours of therapy for almost 70 children on the Croatian island of Brač free of charge. 

Encouraged by the efforts of Ranko Dragičević and Daniel Lončar, all interested citizens were able to sponsor kilometres and thus donate funds to the Association of Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities “Brački pupoljci“. The action reverberated throughout the country, raising HRK 169,800, which provided as many as 1,700 free therapies.

Ranko Dragičević and Brački pupoljci

On March 20, 2021, the two adventurers set off on the Via Adriatica Trail from Cape Kamenjak in Istria. They arrived at Cape Oštra on the Prevlaka Peninsula, also the destination of the trail itself, on May 7, 2021. During that period, they passed a hiking trail that connects the natural and cultural specifics of the Adriatic, consisting of 14 mountains, 12 rivers and 2 lakes, 18 protected areas, 7 counties, 52 municipalities and a total of 1100 kilometres. More about the action can be found on the website 1100kilometara.com.

“It is a great honour for me to be involved in the realisation of this incredible humanitarian campaign from the very beginning. Following Ranko and Daniel’s footsteps and waiting for their afternoon or evening reports from the route was like being in some tense Hollywood movie. I am especially proud that this is the second campaign within a year aimed at helping one of the most vulnerable groups in our society, children with disabilities from our friendly association “Brački pupoljci“. I hope that in this book, other selfless individuals will find motivation to help their loved ones and to change our society for the better. If we don’t, who will?,” said Gordan Turković, communication expert and executive director of the CTA communication agency, which provided communication support to this humanitarian endeavour. 

Gordan Turković

Since the action consisted of 13 stages that symbolically represent the 13 challenges that parents of children with disabilities face, the book follows this sequence and explains each stage through 49 chapters, more precisely, 49 days of hiking. 

In addition to Ranko’s presentation of the book and a description of the situation on the ground, the founder of the Via Adriatica Trail, adventurer Srećko Vukov, also addressed the audience, explaining the motivation behind its creation and the importance of the community it brings together. 

Srećko Vukov

The entire program was moderated by musician and radio host Gina Victoria Damjanović, and in addition to the promotion of the book was an exhibition of photographs taken during the humanitarian campaign. 

Gina Damjanović

The book Srcem kroz planine can be ordered via the Facebook and Instagram profiles of the author Ranko Dragičević at a price of 120 kuna. Part of the proceeds from the sale will again be set aside for the Association of Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities “Brački pupoljci“.

Gordan Turković, Valentina Mezdić, Ranko Dragičević, Gina Damjanović