Nominated by the Embassy of Croatia
“Uncle Maroje” is a witty and sharp 16th. century comedy written by Marin Držić (1508-1567), who is also called “Croatian Shakespeare.” It is one of the most loved and produced plays in Croatia and its surrounding countries. This provocative play is a high-spirited and picturesque fresco of Renaissance Dubrovnik. It is a clever comedy filled with impressive characters and unparalleled comic situations. It tells us a story about an old grumpy and stingy father, Uncle Maroje, from Dubrovnik, who has given a large amount of money to his son Maro to buy fabric in Rome. However, Uncle Maroje discovers that the young man is spending his money on the most expensive courtesan in Rome. To save and protect his money Uncle Maroje runs to Rome, and does all he can do, to find his rogue son and get his money back. Marin Držić wrote this play, a whole century earlier than Moliere, and a half-century before Shakespeare wrote his comedies on topics which could be found in his brilliant plays.