Interview: Cruise director Darko Barisic on his second career as a book contributor

For how long have you worked as a cruise director for Cruise Croatia?
I started working for Unforgettable Travel as a local guide in 2017. When we began operating cruises in 2018, I was among the first guides to transition to a cruise director role.

How did you become involved in supporting author Eva Glyn and her work?
Eva – whose real name is Jane Cable – writes as both Jane and her pen name Eva. I met Jane in 2019 when she was visiting Croatia with her husband Jim. We clicked immediately.

What inspired you to share your experiences and knowledge?
When taking part in lectures, I talk about various topics related to Croatia. One example is War in Ex Yugoslavia, where I combine historical facts with personal experience – my family and I went through many difficult times during that period.

The purpose of sharing my personal story is to explain to our guests that there are good and bad people on both sides of a war. War brings out the worst but also the best in people.

A week after Jane (Eva) and Jim returned home she contacted me and asked me if I would be willing to help her to write a book. That's how we started our hopefully long-lasting friendship.

What books have you helped with?
The first was The Olive Grove based on the island of Korcula, followed by An Island of Secrets which focuses on the island of Vis during World War Two. The next was The Collaborator's Daughter and the most recent is The Dubrovnik Book Club. We are working on a fifth book, which will be an island-hopping journey in Dalmatia.

What are some of the key stories from your life experiences that have inspired Jane and her work?
The Olive Grove features the story of protagonist Damir, who is from my hometown of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Certain stories told by Damir were inspired by my childhood, which I spent in Mostar during the war in the 1990s. That first book was a catalyst for our other novels, where Jane (Eva) and I researched various topics connected with certain areas of Croatia.

How does it feel to contribute to something that is read and enjoyed by many people?
It is such a surreal feeling when you meet people who, after reading The Olive Grove and hearing my lecture, tell me how the story reminds them of my personal experiences.

I explain to them, please check the first page of the book and to whom it is dedicated. They see my name and it all falls into place.

Have you ever considered writing your own book based on your experiences?
I think I will stick to my passion of being a cruise director and tour guide. I am extremely happy in what is an enjoyable role where I can share stories and hopefully inspire guests.