Who is Josip Evačić?

Josip Evačić is a blacksmith from Koprivnica who has been participating in the Porcijunkulovo festival in Čakovec for 21 years.

How do children react to his craft?

Children recognize the blacksmith trade from video games, but most often call him by the English name 'blacksmith' because they don't know the Croatian word.

Which edition of Porcijunkulovo is taking place in 2026?

The 62nd edition of Porcijunkulovo, one of the largest festivals in Međimurje, is taking place.

Where is his workshop set up?

He sets up his workshop in front of the church, where he demonstrates iron forging throughout the day.

Horoscope

Koprivnica Blacksmith Delights Porcijunkulovo Visitors for 21 Years, Children Call Him 'Blacksmith'

H.O. · 30. 07. 2026. | 2 min

Instead of the traditional name, children use the English term, but the craft is not foreign to them

Summary

Blacksmith Josip Evačić has been exhibiting at Porcijunkulovo for 21 consecutive years.
At the 62nd edition of the event, he shows visitors how iron was once forged.
Children call him 'blacksmith' because they learned about the craft through video games.
He particularly remembers an anecdote from Zagreb, and always experiences something new at fairs.

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At the 62nd Porcijunkulovo in Čakovec, among numerous stalls, a special place belongs to Josip Evačić, a blacksmith from Koprivnica. He has been attending this event for 21 years, and through his work he strives to bring the beauty and value of his craft closer to visitors, as reported by eMeđimurje.

This year's workshop is set up in front of the church, where he demonstrates throughout the day how iron was once forged. The sound of hammer and anvil attracts both children and adults, and particularly interesting is a carousel made of baskets, one of the many handmade items visitors can admire.

The Youngest Know the Craft, but Not the Croatian Word

Josip Evačić pays special attention to children. In an interview with eMeđimurje, he shared an interesting detail.

"Children mostly know everything about the craft because they've encountered it through video games. They just don't know the word 'kovač' (blacksmith), so they call me 'blacksmith'," said Evačić with a smile.

Through his many years of participation in Porcijunkulovo, the blacksmith has collected many anecdotes, and one special one happened to him in Zagreb as well. "Such incidents, he says, have been plentiful over the years, because working at fairs always brings a new acquaintance or an interesting encounter," reports eMeđimurje.

Even after more than two decades, Josip Evačić remains one of the exhibitors who, with his skill and authentic presentation, preserves tradition and brings one of the oldest crafts closer to visitors.