Ča je ča? fjabe, glende i koji vers

The poetry collection Ča je ča (2024) by Dunja Kalilić—a writer from Split and Dalmatia—represents a valuable contribution to contemporary Croatian Čakavian poetry. With a title that highlights authentic Čakavian expression, the author draws directly upon the rich tradition of Dalmatian dialect poetry in this mature work. Dunja Kalilić’s poetic language is distinguished by its musicality, vivid imagery, and a keen sense of the local speech's rhythm. Through thematically diverse verses, the collection encompasses a wide range of motifs: from nostalgia for times past and old customs of Split and Dalmatia to intimate Mediterranean landscapes, the sea, the sun, narrow alleyways, and solitude. The motif of questioning and the search for meaning ("ča je ča" / "what is what") permeates the entire work, offering the reader a reflective insight into the transience and beauty of life. This work serves not only as a poetic homage to the author's homeland and identity but also as a significant linguistic and cultural contribution to the preservation and appreciation of the Čakavian dialect. The book is intended for admirers of Dalmatian lyric poetry, enthusiasts of the Čakavian dialect, and anyone who enjoys an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere captured in verse.