The Legend of Veronika of Desinić - Art Competition Awards Ceremony

On Saturday, 24 October 2026, Veliki Tabor Castle hosted the closing ceremony of the art competition The Legend of Veronika of Desinić, during which the winning entries were announced and prizes awarded.

The art competition The Legend of Veronika of Desinić ran from 19 March to 15 September 2026. Its aim was to promote and preserve the oral tradition of Veronika of Desinić, a protected element of intangible cultural heritage inscribed in the Register of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Croatia. Primary school pupils were invited to demonstrate their artistic skills, creativity and imagination by producing original artworks inspired by this love story, using the raster technique.

A total of 34 entries were submitted by pupils from 11 primary schools. The selection committee consisted of Renata Dečman, Senior Curator at Veliki Tabor Castle and coordinator of the art competition; Mateja Harapin, Curator (Educator) at the “Old Village” Museum in Kumrovec; and Luka Veić, Curator at the Antun Augustinčić Gallery.

The following schools participated in the competition: Mokošica Primary School, Dubrovnik; Zvonimir Frank Primary School, Kutina; Antun Mihanović Primary School, Klanjec – Lučelnica Branch School; Varaždin VI Primary School; Đurđevac Primary School; Juraj Šižgorić Primary School, Šibenik; Lijepa Naša Primary School, Tuhelj; Ksaver Šandor Gjalski Primary School, Zabok – Špičkovina Branch School; Vežica Primary School, Rijeka; Ante Kovačić Primary School, Zlatar; and Konjščina Primary School.

Award-winning artworks

Category: Years 1 and 2

1. Sara Šantor (Varaždin VI Primary School, mentor: Ružica Trogrlić)
2. Sara Križančić (Antun Mihanović Primary School, Klanjec – Lučelnica Branch School, mentor: Mira Petek)
3. Matej Plečko (Antun Mihanović Primary School, Klanjec – Lučelnica Branch School, mentor: Aleksandra Koleš)
   
   

Category: Years 3 and 4

1. Ivan Skrbinac (Antun Mihanović Primary School, Klanjec – Lučelnica Branch School, mentor: Mira Petek)
2. Dora Žeđa (Đurđevac Primary School, mentor: Davor Šokec)
3. Branimir Slovenec (Lijepa Naša Primary School, Tuhelj, mentor: Silvija Ilić) i Šime Bračanov (Đurđevac Primary School, mentor: Davor Šokec)
   
   

Category: Years 7 and 8

1. Nika Bukal (Konjščina Primary School, mentor: Vida Žiljak)
2. Kim Vidović Popek (Ante Kovačić Primary School, Zlatar, mentor: Maja Burek)
3. Ema Ilčić (Ante Kovačić Primary School, Zlatar, mentor: Maja Burek)
   
   

Following the awards ceremony, Senior Curator Renata Dečman took the assembled guests on a guided tour of the exhibitions at Veliki Tabor Castle.

Congratulations to all the award-winning pupils and their mentors! 
We would also like to thank all the pupils and mentors who participated in the competition!