Enthusiastic women gathered in Kuterevo, Croatia, to explore the heritage of the Lika-Senj region, empowering their businesses and communities.
An IE Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course was organised by Guest Accommodation Butina, the Tourist Board of Otočac, and Visitor Friendly, a business specialising in heritage interpretation and training. Over three inspiring weekends beneath Mount Velebit, renowned for its natural beauty and cultural traditions, we delved into the diverse heritage of the Lika-Senj region. The all-female group shared stories from Senj’s Uskok history – the powerful bora wind, and Glagolitic script; Otočac’s folk costumes; Kuterevo’s wooden barrels; and the flavours of traditional cuisine. We also explored Nikola Tesla’s marks in Gospić and celebrated the innovative Zera souvenirs project.
The course brought together a diverse group of passionate participants key to the success of local tourism, including holiday apartment owners, artisan shop managers and café owners, National Park staff, museum and other attraction curators. Participants from other regions also joined the course, including: the owner of a special Adriatic viewpoint; a beekeeper who sells renowned honey; a versatile tourism entrepreneur (mountain guide, ski instructor, creator of tourist maps, architect, and owner of a boat company); and the owner of a souvenir shop and thematic guest accommodation.
We were inspired by our trainer’s expertise, energy, and warm approach, which fostered a spirit of connection and collaboration. Her leadership guided us in developing project ideas, including the creation of a unifying theme—moustaches—to showcase the region’s heritage.
During a follow-up workshop, ‘Empowering local community by implementing an interpretive heritage project’, we split into two groups to focus on practical aspects of non-formal heritage interpretation. One group worked on designing a thematic interpretive trail in Otočac, while my group brainstormed ways to unify and promote the region under a common theme. Moustaches, a distinctive cultural element, became our light motif, with the playful saying, “Beware of the Senj bora and the moustached girl,” as our motto.
Senj, the birthplace of the fierce bora wind, epitomises the raw power of nature intertwined with a rich historical legacy. The bora—a cold, strong northerly wind—has shaped the environment and culture of the area below Velebit, particularly in Senj, leaving a lasting mark.
The popular saying about a moustached girl carries a fascinating historical twist: the phrase refers not to women but to the 16th-century Senj Uskoks. These cunning pirates disguised themselves as women to launch surprise attacks but refused to shave their moustaches out of vanity and male pride. These ‘moustached girls’ became enduring symbols of strength and resourcefulness, reflecting the bold spirit of the region.
Moustaches have long been a cultural emblem of the Lika-Senj region. Historic photographs reveal generations of Lika men proudly wearing moustaches, a tradition that persists today as a visual link to the past. As the Lika-Senj region evolves as a tourist destination, the moustached Uskoks provide a captivating story to engage travellers.
Personally, I plan to incorporate the insights gained from this course into my souvenir shop, ‘Čagod,’ in Senj, as well as in my thematic accommodation, ‘History House Moja Ti 1830’. My goal is to immerse visitors in the exploration of Senj while also inviting them to discover other parts of the region, such as Kuterevo, Otočac, and Gospić, where my colleagues will offer their unique heritage tourism experiences. Therefore, our heritage interpretation CIG course in Kuterevo marks the beginning of an exciting journey—one enriched with moustaches, creativity, and the collective energy of women shaping the future of heritage in Lika-Senj, and beyond.
Ileana Tomljanović is a professor of educational rehabilitation with extensive experience working with children. She is also an accredited storyteller by the National Storytelling Network, a trainer of Abacus Soroban, and the owner of the Čagod souvenir shop and History House Moja Ti 1830 in Senj. She is the creator of the Uskok Juriša mascot, a heritage interpreter, and a future tour guide. Ilena can be contacted at: tileana006@gmail.com.
To cite this article: Tomljanović, Ileana (2024) ‘A heritage with moustaches‘ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2024, pg.13-14.
Available online: https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Newsletter-2024_4.pdf
