The third picture of Cepheus
Stenjevac Republic in Botanical Gardens
The final part of the play Cepheus adapted for the public space was performed in the Botanical Gardens – a place where the young youth magazine Val members would meet and socialize.
Peace, idyll and the dislocation of the Botanical Gardens from the everyday made him close to their Stenjevac Republic – the secret republic of the pupils on the territory of the summerhouse with a vineyard in Stenjevac.
A small family moved in the neighbouring house – quite old parents and two grown up sons, both typesetters – brothers Malogorski. One day, our new neighbour came around very concerned. She was talking about her sons bringing in some printed papers. When they are in the house, they sit down in the corner and read those damned papers and hide in bad. She heard words such as: police, arrest, leaflets, Marx, proletariat. They are sicilists. I asked Mrs Malogorski to bring in one piece of paper, if she found one. In a couple of days I already got not only one piece of paper but a small booklet printed with the hectograph. Have a look and return it to me today. You will let me know what it says. (from Zora Ruklić’s diary)