Puljići

The children’s language playgroup “Puljići”, a cultural heritage and language program for preschool and younger school-aged children from Šušnjevica and the surrounding localities, began with activities in 2011 and since then has been held regularly in the temporary premises of the Šušnjevica Heritage Centre in Šušnjevica. Viviana Brkarić runs the playgroup with the assistance of Marina Mikuluš. The playgroup is held once a week for two hours.

The activities of the project are intended for children between 3 and 15 years of age. Parents and other members of the local community are also involved (particularly parents of younger children) through participation in workshop activities, while guest community members who speak the Vlashki language teach the children about local traditions and ways, tell stories in the Vlashki language, and participate in short video stories, filmed by playgroup participants with the help of the playgroup leader. At the end of every semester, in June and in December, a performance is given for parents and special guests.

As part of the workshop, children learn the basics of the Vlach language through games, writing, singing, dancing, drawing, coloring, and other art, drama and video activities. They celebrate feast days and customs related to certain feast days with celebrations, drawings, cards and other activities, and they also tend to a small garden with the help of their teacher. The aim of the playgroup is for children to learn the basics of the Vlashki language in a creative and fun way, and to also become acquainted with the cultural heritage of their region.