One day with students of the School of Creative Writing in Zagreb CeKaPe: Exchange of positive human energy, humanity and humanity

A day with participants of the Creative Writing School of Zagreb's CeKaPe: An exchange of positive human energy, humanity, and compassion Danijela Dragaš, one of the attendees, described the Creative Writing School of Zagreb’s CeKaPe as transformative, not just in terms of writing skills, but also in shaping individuals as people. She emphasized that the school has such a profound impact that she believes it should evolve into something larger, capable of reaching many more people. Her perspective carries weight given her academic background and literary experience. Dragaš, who spent time living in New Zealand, completed a degree in creative writing and earned a master’s from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University in Wellington. Later, she lived in London, where she published an autobiographical novel in English. After its publication, she decided to move to Zagreb, driven by a desire for continuous learning and a deep connection to literature after experiencing personal tragedy. It was this motivation that led her to CeKaPe and the historic village of Stara Sušica, where she enrolled in a poetry workshop led by Martina Vidaić last winter. Encouraged by the experience, she signed up for the Summer School of Creative Writing held at the estate this year. Over five days, she found herself completely captivated by the program. Time passed quickly, and the group grew very close, exchanging experiences and trusting each other deeply. The workshops, she said, encouraged self-reflection in a way that placed human connection and emotional openness at the forefront. This environment fostered a unique atmosphere unlike anything she had encountered before, where fundamental human relationships were not neglected but rather nurtured. According to Dragaš, the exchange of positive human energy, genuine humanity, and compassion among participants made everyone better, not just as writers, but as people. She argued that CeKaPe should expand beyond its current scope to include even more people. The instructors leading the workshops were themselves accomplished literary figures. Želimir Periš, who has been a facilitator for three years, transitioned from teaching short stories and prose to guiding a workshop focused on writing novels. He expressed admiration for the energy of the participants and believed the sessions could help them find direction in their writing. He emphasized that the goal wasn’t necessarily to produce a novel, but simply to encourage consistent writing. Frida Šarar, widely praised as an exceptional instructor, noted that she worked with seven participants this year, engaging in honest and rigorous work. She mentioned that several participants shared intense life stories that could be transformed into poetry. She anticipated that these experiences would emotionally affect all involved, which she considered beneficial because they ultimately have healing effects. Other participants echoed similar sentiments. Nora Kostelnik Pogačnik attended her third session at Stara Sušica, but this time with two different sides, she was both a participant in Denis Špičić’s mentorship program for Text in Music and a performer in the nightly music program. She described the experience as intensifying the already high level of engagement at the school and pushing her toward new discoveries about herself. Having previously taken courses in poetry and short stories, she viewed this as a fresh step forward in her journey. Participants like Renata Hladović Meštrović, who came from Zagreb and was attending her second session at Stara Sušica, reflected on the long-term commitment of CeKaPe. She has been participating in the school’s workshops in Zagreb for ten years, always hoping that the upcoming session would be her last. Yet, despite this expectation, she continued to return, drawn by the ongoing inspiration and growth offered by the program. The summer school attracted a diverse group of individuals, each bringing their own backgrounds and aspirations. Whether returning participants or newcomers, they all left with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling and human connection. The event underscored the value of creative writing not only as an artistic pursuit but also as a means of fostering empathy, understanding, and community.