In his archive, Nikola Cetina discovered an extraordinary work – the life story and personal testimony of Rade Rajšić from Barlete.
This life account of an insightful man from our region, with modest formal education, is written in a simple and understandable style, often with a straightforward and unpretentious expression. It contains words and phrases that remind us of the Lika region and its local character, while also conveying deep emotions.
The story faithfully portrays not only the struggles and hardships that Rade experienced, his fate marked more by trauma than by the joys of life, and his efforts to adapt and survive through periods of social upheaval, but also the historical period in which these events took place.
For many of us who were at least partly his contemporaries, these descriptions will awaken vivid memories of times long past.
We do not know whether Rade is still alive – he was, after all, born in 1930 – but we can express our gratitude to him for leaving behind this valuable testimony.
Please immerse yourself in the reading. Here is how “Memories Through Life” begins: