Koprivnica, the town that is so much more.

Hey there! Thanks for taking a little detour with me away from the land of writing and books. I get it, who wants to hear about my endless ramblings about writing, right? I mean. Boring! So, today, I would like to give you a brake from that nonsense, and to step back from the pages, let's shift gears. Instead, I'd like to offer you a glimpse into the person behind the pen. Yeah, right, even more boring.

To truly understand me, it's essential to explore the place I call home. Allow me to introduce you to Koprivnica, a town that holds my heart and soul, a place of beauty and magnificence. This small corner of the world is so much more than mere streets and buildings. Koprivnica, to me, is a repository of memories, a canvas of experiences and adventures. It's the repository of joy, the echo of sadness, the stage of first kisses, the backdrop of first heartbreaks, and the symphony of laughter and tears.

Before I become too lost in the sea of emotions and drift too deep into the well of memories, I want to share with you glimpses of my hometown. These images are windows into a world that holds a treasure trove of happy memories. They are windows that allow me to see the faces of my friends, to feel the echoes of long-gone emotions, and to revisit the events that have shaped me in the past.

Allow me to introduce you to my absolute favorite spot in town. It's a place where I've whiled away countless hours, a sanctuary that never fails to bring a smile to my face every time I pass by. This locale holds a special corner in my heart, and I'm eager to share its charm with you.

The pavilion, nestled in the heart of the park, holds within its walls a trove of countless happy memories. Each one is so intricately woven into the tapestry of my past that singling out just one feels like an impossible task. However, if pressed to choose, amidst the sea of recollections, one stands out like a shining star.

It was my inaugural kiss, not the innocent peck of childhood, but 'the' first kiss – a momentous event shared with the first girl I ever fell head over heels in love with. In the presence of that pavilion, time seemed to hold its breath, making way for a memory that would forever be etched in my heart.

Just a few minutes' stroll from the pavilion, a new beauty beckons. Behold, an old dame adorned in modern attire.

Now, let's momentarily shift our focus from cherished memories and turn our attention to a place of remarkable beauty, where the past seamlessly intertwines with modern allure. Behold the city council building, a truly magnificent structure that commands the heart of Zrinski Square.

Since the confirmation of King Louis I of Anjou on November 4, 1356, Koprivnica has held the esteemed status of a free, royal, and capital city. While the city council building may not be one of the oldest, its significance is unparalleled. Its origins trace back to 1856, when Ban Josip Jelačić laid its foundational stone. This edifice embarked on its journey as a center of education, serving as a public school until 1892. Since then, it has stood as the hallowed council chamber, bearing witness to the evolving tapestry of our town's governance and history. This building not only exudes architectural grandeur but also carries the weight of significant moments and decisions that have indelibly shaped our community.

Now, if you'd be so kind as to accompany me just a few steps further to the city market, nestled right beside the city council building. For outsiders, it might seem like just a market, a place to procure freshly picked vegetables, fruits, or select meats from our local butcher. You can even find fish that was in the sea just hours ago. But for those who call this town home, it's so much more.

Here, you'll encounter familiar faces, exchange a word or two, perhaps even take a moment to sit down with a cup of coffee. And when you leave, you'll do so with a smile.

But there's something more, something deeply personal and intimate. For me, this market is a treasure chest of cherished memories from my youth—a time when a young boy's heart danced with the pangs of his crush.

And what did this young boy do, you ask? You might assume he mustered the courage to approach her and confess his feelings. Ha, ha, ha, you would be wrong. No, no, not this boy. Well, he was shy, you see. Expression didn't come easily to him, a trait that, surprisingly, he still carries as a grown man. So, every weekend, you would find this boy standing at the vegetable stall, assisting the girl's parents, all just to be near her. Looking back, it might seem a bit foolish, but oh, my friend, the lengths we go for love, right?

Now that I've shown you the marketplace and shared this intimate story, let's take a short walk just across the entrance to see what's there. This particular sight didn't grace this spot the last time I was home, which is nearly six years ago now. It's fascinating to witness how things have evolved in my absence.

This entrance, framed by graceful arches, beckons you with the promise of stepping into a different realm. As you pass through these arches and venture further into the park, it's as though you've crossed an invisible threshold into a distinct world, even though there are no physical barriers. It's a place that imparts the feeling of separation from the rest of the town, yet paradoxically, it remains an integral and cherished part of it.

What a journey it's been. But for now, I think it's time to take a breather. If I were to continue writing about my town, Koprivnica, it would span more than just a few pages—it would unfold into a series of books. Describing and truly capturing what Koprivnica means to me requires more than words on a page; it demands volumes, perhaps even more.

I'm certain that this town will call me back in due time. But for now, this brief glimpse offers a peek into who I am. At the heart of it all, I'm just a small-town boy. I've traversed multiple countries, wandered through hundreds of different towns, big and small, and covered thousands of miles. I've lived abroad for years. Yet, in the end, I find my true home nowhere else but in Koprivnica. That's me—a simple guy, a guy from a small town. That, my friend, is the essence of who I am. And I´m proud of that.