November 29, 2020 - 2020 has been a rough year for almost everyone, but some have had it even worse. Matko Maroević, a well-known face in Korčula, is certainly one of them.
Matko is a father of three, a husband, a friend to all in Korčula, the kind spirit of the town, welcome everywhere, always has a smile and is ready to talk, sing and have a glass of wine. Seven months ago, just as things started to get ugly everywhere, Matko had a massive stroke. He fought for his life for months, and now he's fighting again, to get out of the wheelchair he's been in since the stroke. Daria Maroević, Matko's sister, recently shared on her social media that the family needs help to get the funds needed for Matko to go to Glavić clinic in Dubrovnik, where he could continue his recovery process. They also need to raise funds to pay for an apartment where Matko and his wife would be for the three months, which is how long the therapy would take.
Many people have already responded to her request, and the members of the Korčulanske Pjatance association also decided to help. We've written about Korčulanske Pjatance on Total Croatia News before, as well as about Matko and his tapas restaurant in the Korčula Old Town. The association decided to start a crowdfunding initiative "Matko, Korčula Loves You" (Matko, Korčula te voli), which includes many restaurateurs, artists and winemakers.
Ivana Pačić Unković from the association explains to Dora Lozica for Dubrovački list that everyone from the association knows Matko and they needed to get involved in the fundraising. The first idea was to organize a fundraising dinner, but the current epidemiological situation prevented that. That's how they came up with the online auction of the artwork by the artists of Korčula, and after the auction, an online sale of gift-baskets with wines, olive oil and sweet and savoury delicacies made by the members of the association will take place (250 kunas per package).
The online auction will take place on the Korčulanske Pjatance Facebook page, starting on December 1st and finishing on December 7th, at 8 pm. All the proceeds from the auction will go towards Matko's recovery fund, and you will be able to buy art by many artists from Korčula. So far, Stipe Nobilo, Nina Šestanović, Hrvoje Kapelina, Kristina Kolarić Biliš, Abel Brčić, Nina Kalogjera, Miljenko Marukić, Marko Sitar, Vinko Lipanović, Marijeta Markovina, Aldo Mikelić, Nikolina Dužević, Damir Pačić, Antonijo Blašković, and Uroš Čalić, and more are expected to participate.
Tonka Lujanac, a well-known local artist has created and donated the visual identity for the association's fundraising activities. You can follow the details on their Facebook page, and if you want to participate, you can send your donations to Matko's sister, Daria Maroević. Her bank account number is IBAN HR4124070003207204308 (OTP Bank). A family in need thanks you for your support!
