A Story That Counts has echoed all the way to Barcelona
21.09.2025.
3 min read
Design is not merely about aesthetics; it is a storyteller, a guardian of tradition, and a bridge between the past and the future. That is why we are especially proud that the renowned Zagreb Design Week 2024 recognized our project and invited “A Story That Counts" to be part of its exhibition— a project created in collaboration with the agency Bruketa&Žinić&Grey.
Being selected and presented at the largest multidisciplinary design festival in Croatia is already a remarkable recognition in itself. Yet, this acknowledgment marked only the beginning of our journey. Shortly thereafter, the project was given the honour of representing Croatian design on the international stage at the 19th edition of the prestigious Barcelona Design Week (BDW), held from October 16 to 26 in Barcelona.
To recall, the inspiration behind “A Story That Counts” stemmed from the fact that Međimurje folk songs (Međimurska popevka) were inscribed in 2018 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition ensures that the popevka remains protected as long as it continues to be performed and nurtured. With the aim of contributing to its preservation and passing it on to future generations, a unique collection of five books dedicated to Međimurje folk songs was created. Each book is accompanied by specially designed packaging of Marodi alphabet pasta, containing the exact number of letters required to spell out the words of a song.
Barcelona Design Week, as a global hub of creativity, brings together professionals, students, and design enthusiasts from around the world. Presenting our project to such an international audience—among innovative solutions that push the boundaries of design—serves as a strong confirmation of the exceptional quality and universal appeal of our Story.
After receiving recognition in Zagreb, it has now shone in Barcelona as well, reaffirming its excellence and innovation in uniting tradition with contemporary expression. We are immensely proud that our pasta, supported by creativity, is traveling the world while telling the story of Croatian cultural heritage.
More about our project is available at:
https://marodi.com/prica-vrijedna-svakog-slova
You can purchase your own popevka edition through our official webshop or via the link: