The last few days I have sent about ten letters to the main characters in the Motovun story, and copied each letter to the growing membership of Motovun – Eco Town, an international association concerned with sustainable development of the town and its surroundings. The last letter went to the editors of six major Croatian newspapers, as well as five major British newspapers. All the other letters were attached. The concluding paragraph of the last letter is in the old tradition of vox clamanti in deserto:

The political process in Croatia is clogged up by incompetence, red tape, and graft. We have tried everything in our power to engage in it, but without any palpable success. Our only chance is the free press. Cockroaches scurry away when the kitchen light is turned on.

Each letter in this campaign has given me tremendous joy. Carefully worded, they gradually build up to the last one. Ricocheting between politicians and businessmen, the whole series is a masterpiece, if I may be allowed such lavish praise of my own endeavor. But the line about the cockroaches gives me the greatest thrill by far. For this is my letter-campaign in a nutshell. Mind you, likening many of the main characters to the omnipresent creepy-crawlies is done advisedly. For I know full well that they are among the toughest creatures on earth.

Addendum (October 2, 2018)

Cockroaches scurry away when the kitchen light is turned on, all right, but they come forth in numbers when the light is turned off. No matter how many times the light is turned on, or how bright it happens to be, the cockroaches patiently wait for it to be turned off once again, for the darkness is always dark enough to make them prosper in peace. In short, I was deluded so many years ago. No matter what is done with cockroaches in Motovun, Istria, Croatia, or anyplace else around the world, they will keep prospering for ever and ever. Darkness and light are as good as inseparable, anyhow. Three cheers for cockroaches!