Foundation FONDACIJA BUKOVICA aims to protect, develop and promote the cultural and natural heritage of Bukovica, region in northern Dalmatia, Republic of Croatia. In this way the foundation wants to contribute to the progress of this beautiful but underdeveloped area that suffered a lot during the last war. FONDACIJA BUKOVICA wants to achieve its goals by initiating socially useful projects in the following areas:

• art and culture
• ecology
• civic and peace initiatives

The Foundation will pay special attention to cooperation with creative people from different ethnic communities in Bukovica and connect them with institutions and people with similar interests and views, in Croatia and abroad.

PROJECTS IN 2025

STOCKING THE ZRMANJA RIVER

The Foundation’s first project is being carried out in cooperation with Jovan Šukara and his Sport Fishing Association “Natura” from Obrovac. The coastal trout, an indigenous fish species in the Zrmanja River, has almost completely disappeared over the past decade, mainly due to poaching and environmental neglect. Through this initiative to restock the Zrmanja with this native species, the project aims to contribute to the revitalization of the river and its ecosystem, while promoting ecological values, recreational fishing, and the development of fishing tourism along the riverbanks. The first restocking date, planned for March 2025, had to be postponed due to high water levels in the Zrmanja. Discussions are currently underway with the Ministry of Fisheries and the Velebit National Park to set a new date soon. (Read more…)

BUKOVICA WALL CALENDAR 2026

The Foundation’s second project is the production of a wall calendar for 2026, in collaboration with designer and photographer Mićo Samardžija from Knin. Despite its natural beauty and proximity to well-known tourist destinations, Bukovica remains largely overlooked in the tourism sector. For years, there has been talk of establishing a Bukovica Tourist Board to systematically promote the region’s appeal and potential, but the idea has yet to materialize. Through this calendar, the FONDACIJA BUKOVICA aims to highlight the most beautiful and interesting sites in Bukovica, support the initiative for creating a tourist board, and spark wider interest in the region. The calendar will be distributed to relevant institutions throughout Bukovica and offered for sale as an attractive local souvenir.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST BUKARA

Since ancient times, people have gathered around the bukara — a traditional drinking vessel frequently mentioned in toasts from inland Dalmatia and Bukovica, and commonly featured in old epic songs. Over time, it has become a symbol of community, good living, and the identity of the local people. Although it was recently registered as a form of tangible heritage with the Ministry of Culture, the registration was unfortunately made under an incorrect name. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Ilija Krneta and the association “Kistanjski zalasci sunca” (Kistanje Sunsets), the Ministry corrected this error in 2025, restoring the bukara’s rightful name. A celebration of this “victory” will take place on August 17, 2025, in Kistanje. The event will feature an interactive program and include an attempt to register the largest bukara in the world in the Guinness Book of Records — a contribution to the promotion of the region and its traditional values. The BUKOVICA FOUNDATION proudly joins “Kistanjski zalasci sunca” as a partner in organizing this event! (Read more…)

FONDACIJA BUKOVICA is registered in the Netherlands with the Chamber of Commerce in Amsterdam, under registration number 58303928. Adrijan Siniša Rakić, the founder and president of the Foundation, says: “The summers I spent by the Zrmanja River, with my grandparents, forever connected me to Bukovica and Dalmatia. My foundation is an attempt to give something back to the region — to return even a fraction of the love and beauty I received there. After more than thirty years in Amsterdam, working in my children’s theatre, I now want to contribute meaningfully to the place I come from.”