Young, versatile, ambitious, hard-working, calm, patient…Antonio Jakupčević!

Or not?

Experienced, cruel, greedy, strict, energetic…Henry Morgan!

He is everything and more than that! Again we take you behind the scenes of Istra Inspirit, and today you can meet one member of our cast. Antonio Jakupčević is a young actor from Osijek who is surely known in Istra Inspirit for his role of unique Henry Morgan. His incredible transformations and acting skills thrilled all our guests, and now you can find out what Antonio is like privately, what he likes, what entertains him, and what will he always remember from his adventures in Istra Inspirit…

Antonio Jakupčević, young talented actor from Osijek known for his role of dangerous pirate Henry Morgan in Istra Inspirit…Antonio, tell us something about yourself.

Briefly – anything but vicious, an electrical engineer and music theorist with completed one academic year of Turkology and Hungarian studies, recently a Bachelor in Acting and Puppetry, and currently first year student of Graduate Studies of Acting and Puppetry at the Art Academy in Osijek.

You have been part of Istra Inspirit for two years now. What does Istra Inspirit mean to you and what makes Inspirit experiences different from your other performances and plays?

Istra Inspirit represents a huge experience for me, especially during my first season. In fact, I’ve never been in Istria until the art director Petra B. Blašković invited me, and through countless Istra Inspirit experiences I’ve traveled around Istria, met Istrian customs „šćike“ (:)), and I can’t forget the great and numerous Inspirit team that has been a pleasure to work and have fun with.

Istra Inspirit experiences are different and more interactive from my other performances in theatre. It is very important to handle very good with performance materials and to be ready to improvise, feel the energy of the audience, listen to other members of the ensemble and so on. And you never know when someone from the audience would do or say something.

In your first year with us you already got a chance to play a major role in the performance that was held for the first time and which initiated an avalanche of insanity for the pirates, Captain Morgan and Dvigrad. How did you feel when you got this role and how did you manage to deal with different challenges?

Art director Petra B. Blašković announced at the beginning of the season that we will be working on performance about Captain Morgan and that it has to be a spectacle. At that time I didn’t even imagine that I will have the responsibility of jumping into his famous red suit. The first things that I felt when I found out that I will play the role of Captain Morgan were shock and disbelief. Slightly built and generally decent, I have never seen myself in the role of vicious pirate. Since I have no habit to run away from the challenges, instead of questioning myself, I started to explore absolutely everything about Captain Morgan, his actions in the Caribbean, his arrival to Istria and hiding treasure in Dvigrad. The biggest challenge for me was the fact that I had the leading role and that I actually have to lead a team of twenty people, who were really an incredible support to me and helped me to deal with this demanding role.

The moment I started to believe in myself, I was ready to become a captain, and when the makeup and costume gave the last “touch”, the character of Morgan which I still enjoy playing was born.

Which were your most difficult roles?

In Inspirit? Nothing was too difficult, but I can say that physically the most challenging performance for me was the Mythical creatures of Istria, that we play for children. But it was worth it.

Beyond Inspirit? I have not yet encountered difficult roles. Demanding yes, but nothing is too hard when you’re doing what you like.

Is there any role or performance in which you wouldn’t like to participate?

Hamlet.

What are your favorite roles? And what would you like to do further in your career?

It’s hard to say which are my favorite roles. I’m still exploring myself and I like to play different characters and personalities, especially ones that are not similar to my personality (such as Morgan) are currently very interesting to me.

In the future I would like to work within a wide range of theatrical activities. Somehow, it would be ideal to act in theater performances, musicals, puppetry and children’s shows, movies…

Yes, currently is the stage of megalomania, but we’ll see what the future will bring.

What is your favorite role in Istra Inspirit experiences? What do you like the most?

As expected – Morgan!

Generally, I enjoy in every Inspirit performance and I prefer each one for something, but as for Morgan I can allow myself absolutely everything and the audience enjoys it. From performance to performance it fascinates me how much the audience accept the game with various insults that pirates often speak and with their reactions are looking for more.

Your favorite scene in favourite Inspirit performance?

Hanging Johnny in Morgan’s treasure. The moment of silence is really special.

Can you share with us some anecdote from Inspirit? Some special memories? Which memories do you have from Istria?

If we wrote down all the anecdotes from Inspirit, I think we could publish a book. One anecdote is from my first season, when we were traveling on a performance for children.

The four of us were traveling in an old Fiat Punto full of puppets on Istrian highway from Pula to Rovinj. We were having fun and singing newly learned songs for the performance, when we smelled smoke. Not long after we even saw the smoke, so we quickly pulled over and ran off, thinking it would catch fire. Fortunately – it didn’t – but we had to wait for few hours on the highway for a tow truck, and then the ride home in Vodnjan as well. The performance was, of course, canceled.

Once we were in Pazin and at the last moment it started rain, so we had twenty minutes before the performance to move everything in the small interior. The similar situation happened at the premiere of Morgan’s treasure.

Once during the performance I fell off the stilts (without any injuries), once we sang to my colleague together with the audience and the band “Happy Birthday” at the end of the play, and it wasn’t even his birthday…

I have so many wonderful memories during the two summer seasons, so if I start writing them now I wouldn’t finish this interview till the New Year.

Istra Inspirit actors are in constant interaction with the audience. Is there anything that particularly made you laugh, amused, impressed you or maybe even made you sad during these interactions?

What specially remained in my memory is the fourth performance of Mythical creatures of Istria. Children were great audience that day, and in the final scene they were singing along with me, when at once a three year old Hungarian girl from the audience ran towards me with opened arms and hugged me. I’ll never forget that scene.

This year, dressed like pirates, we forced one tourist to bring us the treasure from Puerto Principe, and then we literally took and stole his clothes. He was thrilled, and so were we. (In the end he got his clothes back, of course.)

What is Antonio like privately? What else do you do besides acting?

While studying acting, it is hard to find time for anything else, as it is a study that you have to come early in the morning and stay there until closing. I love languages, especially the exotic ones, and because of that I studied Turkish and Hungarian, and along with Turkish I learned a bit of Arabic. I didn’t play „tamburice“ and piano for a long time because of the academic obligations, but this year I intend to renew my skills. While creating puppets on my last academic year, I found a new passion – making various figures and objects made of wood. Also, I like bicycles, walks, animals, audio and video editing…

You live and study in Osijek, but Istria becomes your home during the summer. How do you adjust to these changes and what are the advantages of Osijek compared to Istria and other way around?

I adapt to these changes pretty much as my skin. When I come from Osijek, my skin is pale and full of mosquito bites. Then I got sunburned on the coastline in Istria, it hurts for a few days, but then it has the copper tan and my skin is ready for the bright sun.

I like Osijek because it is quiet with generally good atmosphere, especially during the winter months. Istria is my summer home where there are no swarms of bloodthirsty mosquitoes and terrible heat, where I can always refresh into the crystal clear sea and enjoy with my friends between our performances with a refreshing drink “Pašareta”.

However, I like to visit my hometown, whenever I can (a small village near Bjelovar), where my family lives, but it doesn’t happen often because of my job. I like to be everywhere, so it is not necessary to point out the advantages and disadvantages of different places.

Which location of those that you have visited in Istria is your favorite? If someone asks you what you shouldn’t miss in Istria – what would you say?

I would say – Don’t miss Istria!

Favorite question to everyone…where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Uh, it is difficult to answer that question. I rarely plan that far ahead. I like to see opportunities that are offered and then decide what is best for me. For instance, I’d like to travel as much as possible, both private and business travels.

And where do you see Istra Inspirit in 10 years?

In the world.

In the end, one message for our readers?

Inspirit with you!

Photographs:

Tajana Brajković

Istra Inspirit Archive

Antonio Jakupčević private collection

Post Inspirit behind the scenes: Interview with Antonio Jakupčević je prvi puta viđen na Istra Inspirit Blog.

Od ovog je ljeta Istra Inspirit ekipa bogatija za dvije izuzetne i (multi)talentirane osobe koje su nam se pridružile na našim putovanjima kroz vrijeme kao glazbena i glumačka podrška. Supružnici Anka Kovač-Augustiny i Samuel Augustiny neumorno su radili cijelo ljeto ne bi li našim dragim gostima, zajedno s ostatkom naše theatre & gourmet ekipe, priuštili nezaboravne doživljaje.

Anka Kovač-Augustiny i Samuel Augustiny, vječno nasmijan dvojac koji je pratio Istra Inspirit ovo ljeto… Predstavite nam se ukratko. Čime se sve bavite i kako izgleda vaš život kada nema Inspirita?

Mi smo zaista jedan veseo i razigran dvojac bez kormilara ;-). Samuel je inženjer građevine, dobrovoljni vatrogasac, spasioc na vodi, strastveni motorist i glumac amater po rođenju. Ja sam magistirica glazbe – smjer fagot, uskoro magistrica prava sa specijalizacijom u međunarodnim odnosima, life coacher i glumica amaterka od 6. godine života.

Kad nismo dio super Istra Inspirit tima, živimo punim plućima, putujući barem jednom godišnje na neku novu za nas neotkrivenu destinaciju.

Samuel piše članke za njemačku Wikipidiju i strastveni je sakupljač poklopaca od vrhnja za kavu koji se u Švicarskoj proizvode s različitim motiva, od prirode i životinja do znamenitosti neke regije ili država. Osim toga, na magisteriju je iz mehanike budući da nije tipični građevinar, već pomalo neobičan i zainteresiran za aereonautiku i industriju satelita.

Ja sam trenutno jako usmjerena na razvoj programa „El Sisteme“u Hrvatskoj kroz udrugu SO-DO*, te svog programa za učenje stranog jezika uz pomoć glazbe za predškolsku djecu pod nazivom Rin Tin Tin. Osim toga, održavam solističke i komorne koncerte, pomažem ljudima kroz life coaching, puno čitam, učim za pravo, radim na jednom patentu vezno uz ekologiju…

*Udruga SO-DO (Sustav Orkestara Djece i Omladine, www.so-do.hr ) je udruga koja promiče u Republici Hrvatskoj socijalno-glazbeni program poznat u svijetu pod nazivom El Sistema. El Sistema je projekt nastao prije 40 godina u Venezueli i od tad do danas se proširio po cijelom svijetu. Temelj El Sisteme je okupiti djecu i mlade iz svih društvenih strukutra (različitog imovinskog stanja, vjere, sposobnosti) i omogućiti im kvalitetan razvoj socijalnih vještina kroz glazbu, točnije kroz simfonijsko muziciranje. Svjedoci smo svakodnevog otuđivanja mladih, vjerske nesnošljivosti, izrazene nacionalne netrpeljivosti, netolerantnosti prema različitom, povećanja ovisnosti o drogama i alkoholu među sve mlađom populacijom, problema vršnjačkog nasilja, trgovanja ljudima… SO-DO svojim programom pomaže integraciji djece i mladih kroz glazbeno stvaralaštvo, uči ih socijalnim vještinama, kvalitetnom komuniciranju i slušanju, brizi jedno za drugo, prihvaćanju ljepote različitosti, te stvaranjem mladih lidera koji znaju što žele i brinu se ne samo za vlastiti razvoj, nego i za dobrobit šire zajednice.

Anka, koje sve instrumente svirate i kako se rodila ljubav prema njima?

Završila sam srednju glazbenu  školu za flautu, ali sam svoje glazbeno putovanje započela s blok flautom. U četvrtom razredu srednje škole zaljuibila sam se u fagot, ali sam bila uvjerena da sam prestara za početak sviranja istog. Stoga sam nekoliko godina kao svoju tihu patnju skrivala tu ljubav. Školske godine 2002./2003. sam u Zagrebu počela učiti fagot, budući da u Puli još uvijek ne postoji mogućnost učenja fagota u glazbenoj školi. Nakog svega 2 godine upisala sam muzičku akademiju na kojoj sam i magistrirala. Osim toga, zaljubila sam se u okarine preko svoje drage prijateljice Nataše Dragun. Najdraža okarina mi je bass okarina zbog topline zvuka. Najnovija ljubav mi je handpan drum, vrsta melodijskog limenog udarala, u kojeg sam se zaljubila kad sam slučajno preko YouTube-a čula predivnu skladbu Hang Massive – Once Again.

Fotografija govori bolje od riječi. Handpan drum

Rodom ste iz Pule, ali živite u Švicarskoj. Kako izgleda vaš tipičan radni dan kada ste u Švicarskoj?

Moj radni dani su sve samo ne tipični. Kod mene nema rutine – svaki dan je izazov za sebe. Kako sam sama sebi šef, tako se i svaki moj radni dan razlikuje ovisno od toga što je u tome trenutni prioritet.

A kako je to bilo u Inspiritu?

Ovo ljeto s Inspiritom je bilo zaista nezaboravno. I Samuelu i meni je osjećaj kao da smo se ponovno susreli s obitelji koja živi po svijetu. Jutarnje probe na otvorenom, poslijepodnevna uzbuđenja kroz pripreme za večernju izvedbu, predstava i druženje uz pivu nakon svega. Sve to učinilo je ovo ljeto nezaboravnim iskustvom, za koje se nadamo da će se i sljedećih sezona ponavljati.

Koje trenutke iz Inspirita ćete posebno pamtiti? Možete li izdvojiti neki detalj ili Inspirit doživljaj koji se posebno urezao u sjećanje?

Svaki novi projekt koji smo radili s Inspiritom bio mi je poseban na svoj način. Prema svakom od njih imam neku posebnu emocijonalnu vezu i baš ako se jako potrudim mogu reći da mi je Morganovo blago onako intimno najdraži projekt. Ali, onda se sjetim Crispa, moje prve suradnje s Istra Inspiritom, pa  Kupelwiesera na Brijunima, Vodnjanskih štorija, Jules Verna u Pazinu… i više nisam baš sigurna.

Što vam je davalo snagu u težim i stresnim trenucima?

Moram priznati da stres i težinu kroz cijelo vrijeme suradnje nisam osjetila. Istra Inspirit je zaista dobro uigrana ekipa. Bile su to sve tekuće sitnice nesporazuma oko ponekog vremena probe ili nekih preklapanja događaja na koja se jedva stizalo, ali sve u svemu ništa neuobičajeno za velike projekte kao što je Inspirit koji uključuju puno ljudi različitih vještina.

Kakvi su Anka i Samuel kada uspiju naći vrijeme za sebe? Što volite, što vas najviše inspirira i motivira u životu?

Samuel i Anka su dvoje velike razigrane djece koja znaju kako uživati u životu i veseliti se malim stvarima. Obožavamo putovati i upoznavati nove ljude, družiti se. A najviše volimo debatirati, što se ponekom usputnom promatraču čini raspravljanjem, ali nama je to samo gimnastika za mozak.

I za kraj, može jedna poruka za naše čitatelje… Podijelite s nama vaš životni moto i tajnu vaših uvijek nasmijanih lica

Tajna je vrlo jednostavna i stane u četiri rečenice.

1. Ne čini drugima ono što ne želiš da drugi čine tebi.
2. Nema problema – ima samo izazova.
3. Budi iskren prema sebi i drugima.
4. I najvažnije, nikad ne odustaj od svojih snova.

Hvala Istra Ispiritu za ostvarenje nekih naših snova. <3

Fotografije: privatna arhiva Anke Kovač-Augustiny i arhiva Istra Inspirita

Post Iza kulisa Inspirita – intervju s Ankom Kovač-Augustiny je prvi puta viđen na Istra Inspirit Blog.

Although we’re crazy, hard-working and excited because the season is starting, we try not to forget to write in order to always inform you of what is boiling in the Inspirit pot. We are very pleased to announce that this year we have wonderful young people from various parts of the world who will get to know Istria in the best way – conducting their practice in Istra Inspirit. Three young and aspiring citizens of the world joined us just as we enter the hottest part of the summer – Inspirit experiences! All this would not be possible without the group of wonderful young people, who use all their leisure and non-leisure time to create always interesting international connections, which lead young people to practice in Istria – AIESEC Pula! Thank you!

This year we have Demi Yu (USA, the only girl in the picture :), Yussef Mohammed Hamed (Egypt, the first from the left in the picture and Rahmi Gorkem Argun (Turkey, blissful in the middle :).

(The picture is not so great but it shows well their first day on the job:) )

Our young people are already showing to be successful and we wish them a pleasant cooperation with the rest of the Inspirit team and a pleasant summer in Istria !!!

AIESEC is the largest international student organization which operates in 125 countries and territories, and has more than 100 000 members. The vision of the organization is to achieve world peace and realize human potential through the development of new generations of young leaders. Development is achieved through programs of international volunteer and professional practice and work in the organization through various projects. An annual income of more than 5,000 professional and more than 22 000 voluntary practices around the world. The organization was officially founded in 1948, after World War II, to the personal development and individual experiences made intercultural understanding and tolerance. In Croatia since 1953 as part of AIESEC Yugoslavia and from 1 March 1992 AIESEC was recognized as an independent organization. The Republic of Croatia has actively working 5 local committees operating in Osijek, Varaždin, Zagreb, Split and Rijeka, and Croatia AIESEC has over 200 members and 600 alumni. 

Aaaaand while they are settling in Pula  trying to catch Inspirit rhythm, we want to remind everyone of the AIESEC youngsters who have already passed our ‘torture’ and survived one Inspirit summer! Rain, sun, sea, late-night working hours, a big busy and hard-working team, lots of laughter and jokes, lots of events, marked the lives of three young people last summer- Waldek, Lucie i Cinzia!

This is how they feel about their work in Istra Inspirit:

Lucie Bednaříková (Czech Republic)

”I am a student of mathematics from Czech Republic. I chose Croatia for my internship, because I traveled there quite often like a child and it´s really beautiful country with nice people. When I found that AIESEC offers internship in Istra Inspirit I wanted to join them, it looked like a good opportunity and it really was!  I am really glad that I joined Istra and I could learn how it goes there, it´s important experience for me. The work in the office was in the peaceful and friendly atmosphere, no stress for me – I love it! But the events with Istra Inspirit were really the best. I enjoyed each of them. I especially like working outside of the office, helping at the events or giving leaflets to people, because there I sometimes meet interesting people or people from my country.”

Waldek Pilarz (Poland)

”I am Waldek, 3rd year student at University of Economics in Cracow. Last summer I was looking for some internship. Friend of mine recommended me AISEC organization. After short review I decided to take a part in GlobalCitizen program. I have seen quite a lot offers, had a few interviews. Considering place, nature of the work and period, Croatia seemed to be the best option. In brief, project in which I was involved – Istra Insprit – dealt with cultural events around the Istra region. This job was a real experience. I saw how this organizing stuff looks from inside perspective. I have met a lot of people and I am stil in touch with some of them. I visited many places in this beautiful country in my freetime. I would summarize this adventure in short sentence: This internship gave me valuable record in CV and priceless memories.”

”

Cinzia Dente (Italia)

”For six weeks I had had the opportunity to join the team of Istra Inspirit. Before leaving barely I knew this association. I tried to search for information on the Internet, visit the official website creandomi only a vague idea of ​​what trattassero, but to be honest I was very confused and I did not understand what it occupied. Only with the beginning dell’intership I began to clear my head. This is because Istra inspirit is not something you can explain in words, you simply must try because it is pure experience. It allows you to travel through time, recreates atmosphere now lost. If I had to describe it in three words I would use certainly adventure, mystery and discovery. I am very grateful to the team for allowing me to participate in this great project that has enriched me in terms of personal and cultural. Working with them was not only constructive and very useful for my career, but also fun, because I had to deal with great people always available and solar despite their endless commitments. Although short, this experience will remain forever in my heart.”

More thean a year ago, an AIESEC organization was established in Pula. Its members invest their time, will and creativity and develop their potential through (for now) two succesful projects. AIESEC in Pula builds its way towards the goal of becoming the sixth local committee at the national level. This would not be possible without the role of young, motivated and capable members of this organization. The first project in which AIESEC Pula involved Association Istra Inspirit. Members of AIESEC Pula decided to leave their mark, bring closer young people from around the world and challenge them to be a part of this and take with them their knowledge and experience. The first collaboration took 6 weeks in the summer of 2014 and the mutual satisfaction was achieved. This year, Inspirit has the opportunity to host three more new AISEC memebers! 

Visit FACEBOOK PAGE AIESEC Pula and apply!!! Pick your place in the world!

Your Istra Inspirit

Post AIESEC in Inspirit – International cooperation je prvi puta viđen na Istra Inspirit Blog.

Share Istria – apply and win a seven day tailor-made free holiday in Istria!

Get more INFO and apply HERE or at http://www.istra.hr/en

On Friday, 27 March, the Istria Tourist Board launched a large-scale promotion campaign titled ShareIstria. This targeted international invitation is open to all influencers, opinion leaders, bloggers, travel writers and social network authors with more than 5,000 fans or followers.

Those who apply are given an opportunity to win a seven-day free holiday and stay in Istria in the period from 16 May until 31 July 2015. Applications can be made from 27 March until 22 April. Winners – team leaders will be selected from all submitted applications. The selected team leaders can bring one more friend, also active on social networks. Each week Istria will be visited by three teams at the same time, each consisting of a team leader and his/her friend.

During their stay in Istria, the selected teams will write at least two daily posts on social networks or their blogs in connection with their daily experiences. They will stay on a unique island/the Porer Lighthouse in the Medulin Aquatorium as well as in a luxury Lone Hotel in Rovinj or a small family hotel Kaštel in Motovun. Their each day will be filled with various activities organized by the Istria Tourist Board.

Visits to best Istrian itineraries are planned: well-known wine cellars with wine tasting, best world olive oil producers, adventure parks and various attractions throughout Istria. Their days will be filled with organized diving and sailing courses, dancing workshops and the possibility to acquire basic sommelier knowledge by learning about Istrian wines, as well as tasting olive oils, truffle hunting or climbing down into the Istrian underground.

There is also a wide range of other events, from the Rovinj-based mega spectacle Red Bull Air Race, the ATP Tour in Umag to the Dance Festival in Svetvinčenat, Film Festival in Motovun or the re-enactment of the Jules Verne novel in Pazin as well as concerts in the famous Arena of Pula.

Each week will be filled with different activities providing ‘contestants’ with the opportunity to experience the best Istria has to offer, from the sea and beaches, enogastronomy or culture to active tourism.

At the end of each week, the best team will be chosen and entered into the main prize draw of 10,000 euro. The best team will be selected by the criterion of the overall number of posts, their reach and the quality of published content.

Hurry up and apply!!

Post Tourist board of Istria offers the best holiday in the world! je prvi puta viđen na Istra Inspirit Blog.

Exciting news for all Inspirit fans!

The year barely started and we can already start celebrating again! We just received the news that PBZ and PBZ Card will be sponsoring Istra Inspirit events 4th year in the row!

Privredna banka Zagreb shares all the information regarding their socially responsible activities on their 

PBZ blog! – so Istra Inspirit should soon be in one of the new posts

This way we would like to thank PBZ and say we are looking forward a succesful and ispirative year of working together!

Your Inspirit family!

Post Parnership with PBZ bank je prvi puta viđen na Istra Inspirit Blog.