Creative Laboratory of Traditional Gastronomic Heritage
Babini Puti (Grandmother’s Trails) is the umbrella title for a series of themed routes that bring together the region’s natural, cultural, and gastronomic heritage into a single immersive experience, with a particular focus on the hinterland of Zadar County. In its pilot phase, the product was developed across the areas of Ražanac, Vrsi, and Nin.
Designed for both self-guided and guided exploration, the routes are accessible throughout the year and cater to different visitor preferences, including walking, cycling, and driving/motorcycling itineraries.
The key interpretive and unifying element of the product is the character of the Baba (Grandmother), who serves as the central narrative guide. More than a storytelling device, the Baba embodies collective wisdom, local traditions, and the identity of the region. Through a gentle use of local dialect and a personal, conversational tone, she shares stories about the landscape, its people, and their customs, creating a strong sense of authenticity and connection with the place.
The product was conceived and piloted within a creative laboratory whose participants included Sandra Babac (OPG Šinjorina Smokva), Marjana Miočić (the “Medarice” Association of Ražanac), and Dubravka Visković, a multimedia artist and founder of Pharos Zadar. The cross-border mentor for the initiative was Valeria Bruzzi of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sinjorinasmokva
- Region: Zadar
- Name and surname: Sandra Babac
- E-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Address: Poljica 161, 23 235 Poljica
- Phone: +385989550642
- Website: https://www.sinjorinasmokva.com/
- Info:
Šinjorina smokva® is a small but recognizable Dalmatian entrepreneurial brand that has been engaged in organic cultivation of figs, olives, and quinces since 2003, as well as the production of premium organic jams. Located in the hinterland of Nin, in the village of Poljica within the Municipality of Vrsi, the brand nurtures a blend of tradition, nature, and modern technology.
Production is fully organic, seasonal, and exclusive, based on traditional recipes that use only one ingredient — organic fruit. The range includes fig, Marasca sour cherry, mandarin, plum, and quince jams, recognized for their purity of taste, quality, and carefully designed packaging.
The brand is a multiple winner of the “Jam Champion” award at the Intrade fair in Split, which recognizes the best producers of Mediterranean food. In addition to jams, Šinjorina smokva produces dried organic fruit, such as dried figs, as well as the fig cake “Šinjorina za van” — a healthy fruit snack made exclusively from natural ingredients.
Šinjorina smokva represents an authentic artisan jam concept, where quality, sustainability, and respect for nature are at the heart of every product.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/udruga.zena.opcine.razanac.medarice/
- Region: Zadar
- Name and surname: Marjana Miočić
- Info:
In the Municipality of Ražanac, the Women’s Association Medarice was recently founded — the first association of its kind in the municipality. It was established with the aim of connecting women throughout the municipality and improving the quality of life in the local community. The association’s president is Marjana Miočić, and the name Medarice symbolically refers to the bee from the Municipality of Ražanac’s coat of arms, representing diligence and unity.
The association’s activities include promoting cultural and artistic amateurism, organizing workshops, lectures, seminars, and humanitarian actions, assisting those in need, and implementing environmental initiatives such as beach clean-up campaigns. Medarice also plans educational programs in entrepreneurship, as well as the creation of souvenirs and gifts inspired by local landmarks, including food and cosmetic souvenirs.
The association actively cooperates with the Ražanac Tourist Board and participates in local events such as Đirada po Krasu and Vrtolom, contributing to the social, cultural, and tourism development of Ražanac.
- Info:
Dubravka Visković is a Croatian artist and entrepreneur from Zadar and the owner of the craft business Pharos, which has been successfully operating for nearly 30 years. Founded in 1997, the business specializes in graphic services, printing, photocopying, stamp production, and printing of promotional and visual materials that support creative and business projects within the local community.
Through her work, Dubravka has particularly distinguished herself in the design and production of souvenirs and promotional products — from souvenir T-shirts, bags, and magnets to other unique items reflecting the identity and creative spirit of the Zadar region. Her souvenirs have been recognized and exhibited at fairs, and for some of her ideas and products she received top awards from the Zadar County Innovators Association in 2012, when the association was active.
As an artist and designer, Dubravka offers her clients an individual approach in creating visual solutions for promotion, branding, and personal use, including textile printing, personalized gifts, and marketing materials. Her long-standing presence on the market demonstrates dedication to quality and creativity in every project she signs.
- Info:
I am a researcher and project designer in the field of Arts and Cultural Management. I am part of the aiku – Arte Impresa Cultura research center at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, where I focus on the intersection of management, humanities, and the arts. My work investigates local development and new ways of observing urban contexts and tourist destinations. My approach combines research and practice, focusing on territorial development and social innovation. I specifically explore the role of art-based research and artistic languages as strategic tools for innovation within local ecosystems and collaborative spaces. In addition to my research, I am actively involved in grant writing and the management of national and European projects.