The “Olive Heart” award goes to the Šunić Family for their special achievements in olive growing and oil production.
This year, the “Olive Heart” award rightfully belongs to three generations of the Šunić family – grandfather Mirko, father Branimir and son Vid. Their story is not just about olive growing, but about an unbreakable bond with their hometown and defiance of the harsh conditions of Bukovica.
At an altitude where winter “bites” and Velebit dictates the pace of life, the Šunićs have planted more than 1,380 olive trees. Their brand “Sveti Vid” is proof that liquid gold is born from stone and frost – oils that have conquered the world, crowned with the highest awards from domestic festivals to the prestigious New York.
However, what makes this “heart” special is their vision: to revive the deserted Rodaljice. While statistics speak of depopulation, Mirko, Branimir and Vid respond with work, planting 200 new trees every year. They don’t wait for conditions, they create them, proving that the homeland lives as long as there are those who invest effort and love in it. Their example is a guide for all of us on how to preserve the homeland.
