How did the radio - pilgrims once again find new layers in old texts?

By: Vid Mesarić, Croatian Radio

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Prix Marulić event, which is traditionally organized by the Drama Department of Croatian Radio, had offered this year 39 programmes from more than 20 radio stations coming from Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. The competition was particularly interesting because of the new system of voting. Organizers decided to award the final round of points in the “eurovision” style – and count them in real-time on the video wall, so the winners in each category were uncertain till the very end of the ceremony.

After the intense procedure the laureate in the drama competition was “Minotaur” – radio play from German Radio Berlin, written by Friedrich Dürrenmatt and directed by Beate Anders. This production won the preference of the jury due to the extremely rich sound spectrum, suggestive music and new perception of motifs in the old myth. In the documentary competition Grand Prix went to Canada – to author, director and producer of the programme “The promised land of the saints” Chris Brooks who is one of the rare independent radio artists in Canada. The award winning feature took us to Newfoundland where – allegedly – Irish monk Saint Brendan had found the Promised Land after the first crossing of Atlantic Ocean in 6^th century. Searching for the spiritual evidence of this journey, Brooks had created an emotional and witty atmosphere by setting the “real” promised land in the mind of his interviewees making it an individual and personal category. Croatian contestants had managed to place well this year, too. Radio – play “Psiha” – that rethought Artaud’s interpretation of that myth, lost the first place just by few points, and documentary “Only together they are called man” – which researches mixed marriages in the Jewish communities in ex-Yugoslavia countries – had been third in its category.

Croatian Radio is already looking ahead towards the 10^th jubilee of the festival Prix Marulić, because 2006^th is the year of two big anniversaries – 80 years of Croatian Radio and 50 years of Croatian Television. So, next year even more guests and competitors are expected.

 

Who was Marko Marulić (1450-1524.)

He is called "the father of Croatian literature". In the 16th and 17th centuries he was greatly appreciated as a writer of Christian humanistic books. He was an inspiration to King Henry VIII and SS. Ignatius of Loyola, Carlo of Borromeo and Francis of Sales.

 

THE HISTORICAL SITES OF PRIX MARULIĆ’S LISTENING SESSIONS

 

St Mark's

Former church in the middle of the city. In the 19 century - after the church has been closed for catholic services - the Hvar citizens deliberately deconstructed its roof, and then, for a short period of time, within the church walls it was a city graveyard. Today only the tower reminds at the history, together with an excellent garden - former inner space of the church - as a wonderful and quiet place for our listening sessions.

 

Hvar theatre

The theatre of Hvar, built in 1612, was one of the first municipal theatres in Europe. It was built on the upper floor of the arsenal, where galleys were repaired and ship equipment stored. The exterior of the theatre is largely preserved in its original form, while its interior architecture dates from the 19th century.

 

Franciscan monastery

The monastery was founded in 1461. Its church was burnt in a Turkish raid in 1571, but was quickly restored by the Franciscans and was again in use by 1574. Of particular interest among the monastery's many treasures is a collection of paintings by old masters.

 

Fortica, the town fortress

It is perched on a hill above the old town and built on the site of the medieval one in the middle of the 16th century. In 1579 it was restored after a gun-powder explosion in which it had suffered considerable damages. During French rule some additional reinforcement building was done. The barracks and observation post were built during Austrian rule. Once used exclusively as a fortified position, the citadel has become a belvedere with a superb view of the town with its surroundings. Listening sessions are also held in some other places.

 

The Hanibal Lucic's Garden

Behind the Cathedral is the summer residence of the poet Hanibal Lucic from the 16th century. Built in measured Renaissance style, of moderate size and once standing in a luxuriant garden - an outstanding place for our listening sessions - it radiates harmony and sophistication.

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