👤 Textbook Characters
In Navrh jezika, we follow the intertwined lives of four characters connected by friendship, place, and shared experiences. At the center of the story is Santiago, whose temporary move to Croatia becomes the starting point for a series of encounters that unfold across islands, cities, and countries. Alongside Santiago, we follow the lives of three of his close friends, each living in a different part of Croatia and approaching life in their own way.
Santiago M. Karuza
Santiago was born and raised in California, the child of two immigrants: his father from Croatia and his mother from Chile. After spending most of his life so far in the USA, he decides to return—at least temporarily—to his father’s roots and moves to Komiža, a small coastal town on the island of Vis. The contrast could not be greater: from a fast-paced metropolis to a town that can be crossed on foot in twenty minutes.
By nature, Santiago is optimistic, cheerful, and almost always smiling. When he works, however, he is focused and serious. He combines a relaxed Dalmatian temperament with a distinct Latino openness, which sometimes makes him impulsive and quick-tempered when he strongly believes in something. In his free time, he enjoys photography and has a genuine curiosity about local customs and traditions.
Šimun Zanki
Šimun is a true islander, deeply rooted in Komiža and its surroundings. He has little interest in large cities or modern technology, which he sees as unnecessary distractions from what really matters. For him, life revolves around the essentials: olives, vineyards, the sea, family, and friends. By profession an agronomist, Šimun is closely connected to the land and takes pride in physical work and traditional knowledge passed down through generations. He values stability, routine, and a slower rhythm of life, and in many ways represents a more traditional and conservative outlook.
Šimun is Santiago’s first neighbor and one of his closest friends on the island. He introduces Santiago to island life not through explanations, but through shared experiences—olive harvesting, boat trips, local food, and stories tied to place. For Šimun, the idea of living far from urban noise is not a temporary escape but an ideal way of life.
Marin Marinković
Marin comes originally from the island of Korčula but now lives in Zadar, where his life revolves around work, success, and constant movement. Like Santiago, he runs his own business, but unlike him, his work is in tourism rather than IT, even though he shares the same interest in new technologies and innovations. Money, freedom, and experiences matter more to Marin than settling down or starting a family. He prefers to invest in travel, nightlife, and technology rather than long-term stability. At the same time, friendships are extremely important to him, and he maintains close ties with Santiago and Šimun despite living in a different city.
Marin’s curiosity and ambition often push him beyond familiar boundaries. His first trip to the United States, undertaken with Santiago, leaves a strong impression on him—both through the excitement of iconic cities and through encounters that reveal social contrasts. Constantly on the move, Marin embodies a lifestyle shaped by opportunity, ambition, and restlessness.
Lucija Jurić
Lucija lives in Zagreb and is, in every sense, a city person. She works in marketing and is highly attuned to trends, social media, and contemporary urban culture. Her professional life revolves around creativity, visibility, and communication, especially in the fields of art, culture, and public events. Although she enjoys occasional escapes into nature with friends, Lucija cannot imagine living far from the energy of the city. Cafés, exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events are an essential part of her everyday life. Zagreb offers her exactly what she needs: movement, inspiration, and constant stimulation.
Lucija is socially engaged, curious, and expressive. She follows Santiago’s experiences closely, often through social media, and enjoys reconnecting in person whenever she visits the island or hosts friends in Zagreb. While she is fascinated by island life, she knows it is not for her. For Lucija, the city is not just a place to live—it is a way of being.
Media Attributions
- Private: Santiago Karuza profile picture
- Private: Simun Zanki profile picture
- Private: Marin Marinkovic profile picture
- Private: Lucija Juric profile picture
