This site uses cookies.
Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site,
while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Freelance translator and/or interpreter, Verified member
Data security
This person has a SecurePRO™ card. Because this person is not a ProZ.com Plus subscriber, to view his or her SecurePRO™ card you must be a ProZ.com Business member or Plus subscriber.
Affiliations
This person is not affiliated with any business or Blue Board record at ProZ.com.
English to French: Capsule Collection EDGE-Ongoing Collaboration with M.Vukmanović - two-time Red Dot Award-winning artist/designer. Translated her catalog's exhibition materials and created content for marketing requirements in French and English General field: Marketing Detailed field: Furniture / Household Appliances
Source text - English Capsule Collection
EDGE
EDGE, The beauty of opposites.
One can't really appreciate the day without experiencing the night. And just like dusk and dawn, most memorable things happen when two opposites walk the same edge.
Edge collection takes the same path, setting up a discussion between opposites to create mesmerizing and original pieces of designer furniture.
On one side there is the humanity and softness of the curved lines of the tablets and tops, and on the other the starkness, minimalism, and architectural feel of the legs.
This is further enhanced by different treatments of the massive, solid wood—from deeply sanded to smoothly polished elements on the same piece.
Working with 6 cm thick, famous Croatian oak is a task reserved for only the boldest and most skillful wood masters, but we thrive on challenges.
Armed with knowledge, patience, and endless love of woodwork, we managed to tame the mighty wood and the results are truly special.
Providing unique grain patterns as well as strength and superior durability, the sustainably sourced Croatian oak proved as the perfect choice to present the exciting story of opposites – the Edge collection.
Translation - French Collection Capsule
EDGE
EDGE, la beauté des opposés.
On ne peut vraiment apprécier le jour sans avoir vécu la nuit. Et tout comme le crépuscule et l'aube, les choses les plus mémorables se produisent lorsque ces deux opposés marchent sur la même
lisière.
La collection Edge suit le même chemin, établissant un dialogue entre les opposés pour créer des pièces de mobilier design captivantes et originales.
D'un côté, il y a l'humanité et la douceur des lignes courbes des tablettes et des plateaux, et de l'autre, la rigueur, le minimalisme et le sentiment architectural des pieds.
Ceci est encore renforcé par différents traitements du bois massif solide — allant d'éléments profondément sablés à des éléments lissés et polis sur la même pièce.
Travailler avec du chêne croate célèbre de 6 cm d'épaisseur est une tâche réservée seulement aux maîtres du bois les plus audacieux et les plus compétents, mais nous prospérons sur les défis.
Armés de connaissance, de patience et d'un amour sans fin pour la menuiserie, nous avons réussi à apprivoiser le bois puissant et les résultats sont vraiment spéciaux.
Offrant des motifs de grain uniques ainsi qu'une force et une durabilité supérieures, le chêne croate issu de sources durables s'est avéré être le choix parfait pour présenter l'histoire excitante des opposés — la collection Edge.
Croatian to English: THE DESIGNER'S APPROACH- 'HOTEL PRIČA' - 'THE STORY HOTEL' General field: Marketing Detailed field: Advertising / Public Relations
Source text - Croatian Sofisticirana snaga integralni je dio pristupa, jednako učinkovita i utjecajna u svim područjima dizajna. Pratimo koncepte u području vizualne komunikacije, dizajna proizvoda i širih konteksta kao što su integralni dizajn, prostorne intervencije i brendiranje.
Kroz različite medije, autorski rukopis prolazi kroz nježne procese ugađanja, uvijek prilagođene opsegu, temi i domeni.
U pričama poput Story Hotela, započinje se od malih objekata poput ključeva i etiketa sadržaja, napredujući do opsežnijih i većih elemenata, nikada ne gubeći iz vida cjelinu jer cjelovitost je ključna.
U vizualnim komunikacijama, svako slovo, riječ, tekst, slika i kompozicija precizno su izvagani, često obogaćeni konceptualnom domišljatošću, referencama na poznate uzorke s novim ili proširenim značenjima, diskretnim humorom i uključivanjem dvosmislenosti koja ne zbunjuje.
Translation - English Sophisticated strength is an integral part of the approach, equally efficient and impactful in all areas of design. We follow concepts in the realm of visual communication, product design, and broader contexts such as total design, spatial interventions, and branding.
Through various media, the author's handwriting undergoes delicate tuning processes, always adapted to the scope, theme, and domain.
In narratives like the 'Story Hotel', it starts from small objects like keys and content labels, advancing to more extensive and larger elements, never losing sight of the whole because entirety is crucial.
In visual communications, every letter, word, text, image, and the composition is precisely weighed, often enriched by conceptual cleverness, references to familiar patterns with new or expanded meanings, discreet humor, and the inclusion of ambiguity that doesn't confuse.
Croatian to English: A Croatian into English Transcreation: The Red Corals of Zlarin General field: Art/Literary
Source text - Croatian Zlarin: Na otoku su Zlarinu crveni koralji oduvijek imali čarobnu moć
Kako pod morem izgleda lov na crvene koralje?
Danas ću zaroniti do 85 m dubine, ako bude trebalo i koji metar dublje –
razmišljao je koraljar Mirko Milošević (61) hodajući prema svom brodu.
Hoću li u lov na koralje na stare ili da odem istražiti nove “pošte”? Ma
danas ću prema Kornatima, pa u Zlarin, a ove ću dane obići Mažirinu i
Žirje – odlučio je Mirko i okrenuo kormilo put Kornata.
Na južnoj strani Kornata teška bonaca, more je ka’ i ulje. Mir i tišina.
Nigdje nikoga. U daljini samo pokoja jedrilica i zalutali galebov krik.
Međutim, Mirko se ne obazire na vanjski svijet, u mislima je već na dnu
mora, među koraljnim kolonijama.
Priprema se, oblači odjelo. Boce su na leđima, a sjekirica za pasom. Buć!
Sigurni pokreti odnose ga u dubinu koja se iz sekunde u sekundu
produbljava! 30 m - 40 m - 60 m - 80 m. I eto ga, spustio se nakon samo
pet minuta na dubinu od 85 m, u mrkli mrak, okružen samo balonom
svjetlosti baterijske lampe. Doplivao je među koralje koji se prostiru na
nekoliko stotina metara kvadratnih. Neće ovaj kao onaj prošli put na
dubinu od 118 m, kada je oborio vlastiti rekord.
Pogledao je Mirko na ronilački kompjuter. Prati ga taj u milimetar
dubine, ograničava mu vrijeme. Za branje koralja ima svega 15 minuta!
Oprezan je do krajnjih granica jer svako prekoračenje, pa makar i
milisekunde na toj dubini može biti kobno. Treba brzo ubrati najdeblje
koraljne grane i početi izron koji će trajati dva i pol sata radi
dekompresije tlaka.
Koraljno tlo je prelijepo za vidjeti i izazovno za doživjeti
Milošević je već navikao na prizore pod morem. Morsko tlo je šaroliko,
prelijepo, ali i pomalo divlje. Prekrivaju ga različiti organizmi, koralji,
spužve, morske trave i školjkaši, međusobno se boreći za svoje mjesto
na morskom dnu. Koraljima su najveći neprijatelji školjkaši i spužve koje
ih obrastaju, guše, onemogućavajući ih da se razvijaju. U većini
slučajeva koralji rastu s južne strane stijena, u rupama gdje ih oplakuje
more, donoseći im svojim gibanjem hranjive sastojke i planktone.
I evo ga. Izronio je! S kilo i pol koralja u mreži .
Zaštita i održivost koraljne vrste
“Koralji su zaštićena vrsta i izlov je reguliran strogim zakonima
Republike Hrvatske” - kaže, “a tako i treba biti radi zaštite podmorja i
nas ronioca koji ih izlovljavamo. Koraljarstvo je najteži i najopasniji vid
ronjenja. Znate koliko opasan kad naše živote ne žele osigurati ni
osiguravateljske kuće “– objašnjava Mirko još namreškanog lica od
mora.
Koralji su životinje, a ne biljke kako mnogi misle. Žive u zajednicama.
Skelet im je građen od kalcijevog karbonata koji se taloži i raste, odižući
koraljne grane od tla. Hrane se pomoću lovki koje izgledaju kao
cvjetovi. Dok su lovke vani koraljana polja su bijela, tek po povlačenju
postaju crvena. Grane za izlov odabiru se prema strukturi, veličini i
propisanoj debljini, ne manjoj od 6-7 mm. Strogo se vodi računa o
održivosti vrste. “Koraljne zajednice moraju ostati raznolike i
produktivne i tijekom budućeg vremena, a za izradu nakita poželjni i
prihvatljivi komadi koji se daju lijepo oblikovati i nositi – kaže Milošević
i okreće brod prema Zlarinu, malom otoku u blizini Šibenika, od davnina
poznat kao otok koralja.
Posjet zlarinskom majstoru Miru koji izrađuje božanski nakit od
koralja
Tamo u radnji na rivi njegov prijatelj Miro Bešker obrađuje, kida, brusi,
buši i polira koralje, pretvarajući ih u jedinstvene komade poželjnog
nakita. “Izrada ogrlica, narukvica, broševa, prstenja od koralja njegov je
dugogodišnji posao i strast” – kaže. “Volim s njim porazgovarati o poslu
i razmijeniti novitete. Iako je Zlarin poznat po tradiciji Miro Bešker (56)
je zadnji majstor na otoku koji izrađuje nakit od izlovljenih koralja.”
Miro Bešker je kao i obično za svojim stolom – kaže mi Mirko. Kupci
ulaze u radnju, gledaju nakit, kupuju, izlaze, a Bešker ih nije ni svjestan.
Vidim zadubljen je u posao, dodiruje koralje, promatra ih. Vrti ih pod
prstima, vjerojatno procjenjuje oblik i smišljaja kojem bi komadu nakita
najbolje odgovarali. Dok je Bešker u kreativnoj ekstazi kupcima je na
usluzi Kristin, njegova dugogodišnja suradnica.
Vidjevši nas na vratima nije mu preostalo ništa drugo nego se nakratko
ostaviti posla i pridružiti čakulici o koraljima i izradi nakita.
Izrada nakita od koralja
“Izrada nakita delikatan je posao. Svaki se dodir s koraljem treba osjetiti.
Kada izrađujem nakit od debljih djelova koralja u potpunom sam zenu
jer se radi o komadima koji su skupi i cjenjeni. Fokusiran sam,
stvaralački nastrojen i oprezan u izradi jer taj komad moram dovesti do
vrhunskog izgleda i zaslužene vrijednosti. Kada radim s metalima,
zlatom ili srebrom osjećam jednu energiju, a potpuno drugu kada radim
s koraljima – uvlači nas Bešker u svoju koraljarsku priču.
Izazov mu je stvoriti još neviđeni komad nakita, prsten, broš, ogrlicu,
stalno u potrazi za novim nadahnućima. “Ponekad to nadahnuće
pronađe mene, a nekad ja danima tražim njega” – kroz smijeh će. “Kada
mi obrada ne ide od ruke sve ostavim i čekam trenutak inspiracije.
Nekad sam i ljut. Ako se radi o metalu ponovo ga stavljam u vatru i
rastapam, ako se radi o koralju ide na novo kidanje, brušenje i poliranje.
Svaki komad ima svoju energiju, pa tako i koralj. Ako tog trenutka nismo
u sinergiji bolje da se nakratko rastavimo, nego da se mučimo. To vam je
isto kao i sa ženom” – kroz smijeh će Miro.
Trenuci nadahnuća donose lijepe komade koraljnog nakita
Ima trenutaka kada se Miro prepusti, radeći samo za sebe i svoje gušte.
“To su umjetnički porivi i trenuci kada se nakit skoro sam stvara” – u
šali će. “Ne, ne moraju to uvijek biti veliki komadi nakita, mogu biti i
minijature. Sve ovisi o mom trenutnom raspoloženju i osjećajima. Tako
funkcioniramo mi umjetnici, kod nas nema ni vremena, ni reda. Kada
me inspiracija obuzme ja joj se prepuštam. Radi se o trenutku. Kada ga
iskoristim, oživotvorim lijepi komad nakita, ako ne, ostane zatomljen u
meni. Šteta ga je zatomiti jer u tom slučaju netko od ljubitelja lijepog
nakita ostaje zakinut za lijep doživljaj.”
Dok radi nikad ne razmišlja hoće li taj komad nakita dobiti komercijalnu
vrijednost. Samo stvara. “Koralj me navodi što da napravim od njega.
Nastojim ga što više ostaviti u izvornom obliku. Ponekad već u fazi
izrade imam viziju kako će taj komad u konačnici izgledati, ali ne uvijek.
Ponekad me jednostavno vodi, pa ispadne što ispadne. To često bude i
ono najbolje." Kaže da u svojoj dugogodišnjoj karijeri nikad nije imao
nezadovoljnog kupca, što mu je veliko zadovoljstvo i priznanje.
Mnoge stvari su mu danas rutina, ali nije uvijek bilo tako. Na početku je
pred “obično” bušenje, brušenje i poliranje imao veliku tremu i strepnju
da nešto ne uništi. Prevladao je to davno, ali danas traži nove izazove i
kaže “što je posao bez adrenalina.”
Put od sirovog koralja do lijepo oblikovanog nakita
Od sirovog koralja do lijepog komada nakita dug je put. Sirovi koralji se
sortiraju po klasi, ovisno o tome za koji će se komad nakit koristiti. Svaki
dio koraljne lepeze ima svoju namjenu. Komade koralja treba obraditi
uz uvjet da ima što manje otpada kako bi se postigla što veća vrijednost.
Miru nakon toliko godina rada i majstorskih diplome to i nije neki
problem. Čim u ruke primi komad sirovog koralja zna gdje pripada, a
estetski oblik prepušta trenutnoj umjetničkoj inspiraciji.
Oblikujući te male koraljne grančice “osjećam da mi kroz prste teće
neka posebna energija i puni me zadovoljstvom. Po završetku dana
jedva čekam da svane novi i da se nastavim družiti s tim zanimljivim
morskim bićima.”
Maštao je Miro o svom zlatarsko-koraljarskom poslu već kao mlad.
Pripremao se kaže, malo po malo, spontano, ne znajući gdje ga to vodi.
Prepustio se, dopustivši svojoj umjetničkoj duši da luta. I posložilo se!
Danas živi i radi ono što voli. "Veza između mene i mog nakita
neraskidiva je. I kada odu iz radnje dio mene zauvijek ostaje zarobljen u
njima.”
Mnogo posla treba odraditi da se dobije lijepi komad sjajnog nakita,
čiste boje. Sirove koralje potrebno je očistiti, a grane pomoću malih
cirkulara otkidati na komade. Svaki komad se brusi, oblikuje, buši i
polira. Poliranje je najvažnija i najdugotrajnija faza koja traje i po
nekoliko dana. “Kada se površina izglača do savršenstva dobije se ovaj
visoki sjaj. Nema nikakve kemije, ni aditiva! Boje koralja su različite, u
rasponu od 10 do 15 nijansi, od svijetle do tamno crvene.”
Izrada koralja generacijsko je nasljeđe
Miro Beške došao je na otok Zlarin prije dvadesetak godina. Posao je
preuzeo od svog punca Vjekoslava Duhovića, tada vrsnog koraljara i
poznatog splitskog zlatara. “Ovo je manufakturni posao i obično se radi
obiteljski. Posao mi je u nasljeđe ostavio punac. Imao je povjerenja da
ću nastaviti njegov put. Dajem sve od sebe i vjerujem da ga nisam i neću
razočarati, što mi dokazuju i kupci koji po nakit dolaze sa svih strana svijeta.
Miro je danas jedini majstor na otoku. Bilo je mnogo zainteresiranih, ali
kada bi osvijestili koliko treba biti strpljiv i predan poslu brzo bi
odustajali.
Poklonjeni koralji donose sreću
Međutim, Kristin se nije dala pokolebati. Već dvadeset godina prodaje
koralje koje Miro izrađuje. Rođena je Zlarinka, a koraljima se kaže okitila
čim se rodila. “Mi ovdje na otoku koralje baštinimo od svojih baka i
majki. To su dragocjenosti koje se prenose s koljena na koljeno, dio su
obiteljskog blaga. Ja sam privilegirana, pa i radim s njima.”
Mlade djevojke na Zlarinu s nestrpljenjem čekaju dan da dobiju nakit od
koralja. Najčešće ga dobiju odmah po rođenju, za udaju ili neki drugi
važniji životni događaj.
Prema otočkoj predaji koralji se poklanjaju dragim osobama za koje se
želi da budu sretne. Sretna sam i ja što sam pričom mogla zaći do
koraljnih kolonija na dnu mora i uživati u božanskom sjaju crvenih
koralja.
Translation - English According to Greek mythology, red corals were made when Perseus beheaded Medusa and threw her head into the sea. Covered in blood from Medusa’s head, the seaweed at the bottom of the ocean turned into stone and became the venerated red coral.
On the island of Zlarin, in the Adriatic Sea of Croatia, red corals have always had magical power. Croatian travel writer Anita Palada takes us to the bottom of the sea, with Coral Hunter Mirko Milosević, and to the workshop of Coral Jeweller Miro Bešker. Here, he transforms the unprocessed aquatic gemstones to unique and acclaimed pieces of jewellery. Like a stone carver, Miro senses the energy of each raw coral and liberates the jewel inside.
Here’s the story of The Red Corals of Zlarin:
“Today, I will dive up to 85 m deep, and if necessary a few meters deeper,” coral hunter Mirko Milosević thinks out loud while walking towards his boat. “Am I able to harvest coral on the old spots, or should I go and explore the new ones? I think I’ll go to the Kornati Archipelago and Zlarin today, and visit Mažirina and Žirje one of the next” – Mirko decides, finally turning the bow towards the island group of Kornati.
On the Southern side of Kornati, the sea is dead calm, resembling more to oil than to water. There is no one around except a few distant sailboats following the wind and a stray seagull cry: peace and silence. Mirko disregards the world that surrounds him; in his mind, he is already at the bottom of the sea, among the coral colonies.
He gets ready for yet another dive. He puts on his diving suit, secures the oxygen bottles on his back and the weight belt around his waist. A splash after, and Mirko is already beneath the surface.
His experienced movements take him deeper by the second. 30 m – 40 m – 60 m – 80 m. And there he is, descending, just like a slow shooting star on an empty sky, after just five minutes to a depth of 85 meters, in the pitch black, surrounded only by a balloon of light produced by his powerful scuba diver lamp. He swims among the corals, which span several hundred square meters. Today, he won’t go deeper like the last time at 118 m, when he broke his record.
Mirko looks at his diving computer; it follows him, measuring every inch of his dive and limiting his time on the sea floor. There are only 15 minutes left for harvesting the corals. He’s cautious to the extreme, because ignoring the clock can be lethal at that depth. The thickest coral branches should be harvested quickly and swiftly, before the decompression dive, which will last two and half hours.
The coral soil is so beautiful to see yet so challenging to experience.
Mirko is already familiar with the underwater scenery lying on the bottom of the Adriatic Sea. The seabed is varied, beautiful, but somewhat wild. Different organisms cover it; corals, sponges, seaweed, and other creatures, locked in the eternal battle for a better place on the seabed.
In most cases, corals grow on the south side of the rocks, in holes, sustained by the sea, which brings them nutrients and plankton in the crystal clear seawater of the Adriatic. Sponges and bivalve mollusks are the coral’s worst enemy, because they try to overgrow them, suffocating the colony in the process and preventing the precious organisms from developing.
The dive comes to an end, and there he is! Mirko breaches the sea’s surface, carrying around 1.5 kg of precious corals in his net.
Corals are a protected species, and the Republic of Croatia strictly regulates fishing,” Mirko tells us; “and so it should be – to protect the underwater world and us divers who fish them. Diving for corals is the most difficult and dangerous form of diving. You know how dangerous it is, when we coral divers can’t even buy life insurance from insurance companies”, explains Mirko, his face still frowned from the recent dive.
“Corals are animals, not plants, as many people think. They live in communities. Their calcium carbonate skeleton settles and grows, rising coral branches from the ground. They feed using polyps that look like flowers. While the polyps are outside, coral fields are white, turning red only upon their retreat.
I choose the branches for jewelry according to the structure, size, and prescribed thickness, not less than 6-7 mm, taking strict care of the species’ viability. Coral communities must remain diverse and productive to last in the future. It’s important if we in the future want to provide desirable and acceptable pieces to jewelers to be beautifully shaped,” says Mirko, turning the boat towards Zlarin, a small island near Šibenik, known as the Coral Island since ancient times.
Mirko’s friend Miro Bešker processes, grinds, drills and polishes corals in the waterfront shop, turning them into unique pieces of desirable jewellery. Although Zlarin has long been famed for its for corals, Miro Bešker is the last master on the island to make jewellery from raw corals. “Necklaces, bracelets, brooches, coral rings is his long-standing job and passion,” says Mirko. “I like to talk to him about work and exchange novelties.”
“Miro Bešker is at his work-desk as usual,” Mirko tells me. Customers walk into the store, look at jewellery, buy, go out, and Miro doesn’t even notice them. I can see he’s absorbed by the craftsmanship: touching corals, watching them, spinning them under his fingers while probably assessing the shape to determine which piece of jewelry they would best suit. While Miro is in his creative ecstasy, Kristin, his longtime collaborator, is at customers’ service.
Seeing us at the door, he briefly leaves his work and joins us for a small talk about corals and jewelry making.
“Making jewellery is a delicate business. It is essential to feel the coral at each contact. When I make jewellery out of thicker parts of coral, I’m in a complete Zen-State of mind. These thick pieces are expensive and appreciated. I’m hyper-focused, creative and cautious in making it, because I have to make it look as beautiful as possible.
Their value deserves it. When I work with metals, gold or silver, I feel one kind of energy and entirely another when I work with corals” Miro explains us, drawing us into his coral world.
His ambition is to create unseen, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry; a ring, a brooch, a necklace, constantly searching for new sources of inspiration. Each piece has its specific energy, including coral. “Sometimes, inspiration finds me, and sometimes I have to wait for days,” he said laughingly. “When my work doesn’t “flow,” I leave everything behind and wait for a moment of inspiration. Sometimes, when I’m angry. If it’s metal, I put it in the fire again and melt it; if it’s coral, it goes for new tearing, grinding, and polishing. If we are not in synergy at that moment, it is better to part for a day or two than to struggle. It is the same with a woman,” Miro says, laughing again.
There are times when Miro indulges, working only for himself and his pleasures. “These are artistic urges and moments when jewellery almost creates itself, like the jewel is already inside the coral, and I just remove the superfluous,” he adds jokingly. “No, they don’t always have to be big pieces of jewellery. They can be miniatures. It all depends on my current mood and feelings. That’s how artists work; there’s no time or order in our world. When inspiration takes over, I indulge her. It’s all about the moment. When I use it, I create a beautiful piece of jewellery; if not, it remains trapped in me.
While he’s working, he never thinks about whether that piece of jewellery will have commercial value. It’s purely creating. “Coral leads me towards what to make of it. I try to leave it as much as possible in its original form. Sometimes, I already have a vision of what this piece will ultimately look like in the drafting phase, but not always. Sometimes it guides me, and it turns out what turns out to be. It’s often the best.” Miro says, he has never had a dissatisfied customer in his long career, which he regards as a great pleasure and recognition.
Today, many things are routine, but it wasn’t always like that. At first, Miro was terrified of destroying something. He overcame that fear a long time ago, but today he’s looking for new challenges, proclaiming; “What’s an adrenaline-free job? “
There’s a long way to go from raw coral to a nice piece of jewellery. Raw corals are sorted by class, deciding which piece of jewellery they will become. Each part of the coral array has its purpose. Fragments of coral should be treated so that there is as little waste as possible, in order to achieve as much value as possible. For Miro, this is not much of a problem. As soon as he takes a piece of raw coral in his hands, he knows where it belongs and leaves the aesthetic form to the current artistic inspiration.
Miro dreamed about his goldsmith-coral business from a young age. He prepared, little by little, spontaneously, not knowing where it was taking him. He gave in, allowing his artistic soul to wander. And it worked out! Today he maes a living by doing what he loves most. “The bond between me and my jewellery is indissoluble. And when they leave the store, part of me is forever trapped in them.”
By forming these little coral twigs, “I feel some special energy flowing through my fingers and filling me with pleasure. I can’t wait for a new day to dawn and keep hanging out with these interesting sea beings,” Miro beams.
Polishing is the most important and long-lasting stage that lasts up to several days. A lot of work is necessary to get a nice piece of shiny jewelry with pure color. First, natural corals are cleaned, and branches are torn to pieces. Each piece is sanded, shaped, drilled, and polished. “When the surface is polished to perfection, the high gloss is obtained. There’s no chemistry, no additives. Coral colors are different, ranging from 10 to 15 shades, from light to dark red,” Miro explains.
Miro Bešker came to the island of Zlarin about 20 years ago. He took over the job from his father-in-law, Vjekoslav Duhović, an excellent coral artist and well-known jeweller from Split. “This is a manufactory business, and, typically, it is a family business. My job was passed to me by my father-in-law. He had faith that I would continue his journey. I do my best, and I believe that I did not and will not disappoint him. The tangible result is the buyers who come for jewellery from all over the world.”
Miro is now the only master on the island. There were many interested parties, but they quickly gave up when they realized how patient and dedicated one has to be in this line of work.
Kristin has been selling the corals Miro makes for 20 years. She was born in Zlarin, and has been bejewelled by corals from birth. “We, here on the island, inherit corals from our grandmothers and mothers. These valuable gems are passed down from generation to generation, and are part of the family treasure. I’m so privileged to work with them.”
Young girls on Zlarin are eagerly awaiting the day to get coral jewellery. They often receive it as a gift already at birth, at marriage, or some other important life event.
According to the island’s tradition, corals are gifted to loved ones, to bring good luck in life.
I was happy that, by talking to these fascinating people, I touched the coral colonies at the bottom of the sea, and enjoyed the divine glow of the red corals.
Member since Mar '20
Expertise 
positive
