Building a Name Without Losing Your Roots :The Story of Mate Rončević
Some people carry their birthplace quietly within them. Others embody it. Mate Rončević- Croatian PR and event specialist, strategist, and communicator- belongs to the latter. Born in Ploče, in the very south of Croatia, he brings with him the openness of the sea, the ease of the Neretva rhythm, and the sharp instinct needed for the fast pace of Zagreb’s urban scene.
For nearly three decades, Mate has successfully combined two seemingly different worlds: the relaxed, authentic spirit of the south and the dynamic demands of public relations and event production. In this conversation, he reflects on roots and identity, the balance between “pomalo” and productivity, the art of promoting a place without losing its authenticity, and what it truly means to build a personal and professional brand while staying grounded in where you come from.
Many people associate you with the Neretva region. With your constant smile, I would say you are a top ambassador of the south. How important to you is this aspect of highlighting your roots?
I don’t remember ever receiving a nicer compliment- perhaps that’s the best answer to your question. I don’t think roots are something that necessarily need to be emphasized or something to be ashamed of. I believe pride should be reserved for personal achievements, not for things you cannot influence, such as where you come from. But even if I had been able to choose, I would have chosen the south- again and again, the south.
When you say “I’m going home,” what comes to mind first- the scent of the Neretva, the sound of a traditional boat, or something else?
“The unbearable lightness of being” is the first thing that comes to mind, and I’m not referring to Kundera’s novel, but to the same old slippers waiting for me, my father’s old undershirt that I put on despite his complaints that I have six closets full of clothes, my mother’s overcooked spaghetti (because of course you have to hang the laundry to dry while they’re boiling to save time), which taste better to me than those in a Michelin-starred restaurant, a complete and genuine rest for body and soul.
What does the Neretva Valley have that no big urban center can offer?
Peace, open space, the seasonal rhythm of life, and the authentic scents, colors, and flavors of nature.
How would you explain in three sentences to an "Erasmus" student or "European Solidarity Corps" volunteer why they must visit Metković and the Neretva Valley?
Well, for a start, find me a place that offers the unique opportunity to swim in three completely different environments in one day: a morning refreshment in the calm, drinkable waters of the Neretva estuary surrounded by lush nature; an afternoon enjoying the crystal-clear and tranquil Baćina Lakes; and ending the day in the turquoise sea on the most beautiful beaches of the Makarska Riviera. I would recommend everyone experience that at least once in their lifetime.
How much did growing up by the river shape you—in mentality, pace of life, ambitions?
I associate my upbringing less with the river and more with the sea, and anyone who grew up by the sea knows all the ways it shapes you. I think growing up by the sea teaches you to be open, but also adaptable to all the unexpected changes that the sea, just like life, brings. I’m convinced that growing up by the sea encourages you to curiously explore the world and the people around you, without prejudice.
Do you think young people today understand enough about the importance of local traditions?
I’m not even sure I myself understood the importance of local traditions in my youth. Young people are preoccupied with other things, and that’s normal- it should be that way. We older ones are here to welcome them warmly and with open arms when they become interested.
You live between the south and Zagreb- where do you feel “more yourself”?
I’ve lived in Zagreb for more than half my life, I love it and consider it my city, but when I say “home,” I mean Ploče. As the years go by, that feeling becomes more dominant.
What are your favorite urban moments in Zagreb- morning coffee, a walk around the neighborhood, a terrace, a concert?
I live in the city center and consider it an incredible privilege that every day, at least twice (to and from work), I walk through Deželić Passage- especially when it turns green and transforms into a magical green tunnel.
Can the Zagreb pace be combined with the Neretva “take it easy” mindset?
It can. I’ve been successfully combining them for almost 30 years. When I work, I work; when I rest, I rest. I don’t hold back in either.
When you need a reset, do you choose asphalt or sand?
I reset on both asphalt and sand, depending on what’s needed. It’s all a matter of decision and self-care.
What does enjoying life mean to you- is it good food, company, the sea, silence?
All of the above, but perhaps company comes first, because in good company food tastes better, the sea is bluer, and silence brings peace.
What would you recommend to the "Erasmus" students and "European Solidarity Corps"volunteers who want to experience the “real” Dalmatia, not just the Instagram postcard version?
Get to know the local people. Walk through markets and fish markets- vendors can be very distinctive and humorous, and you can learn a lot from them. The same goes for cafés and taverns off the main tourist routes- local cafés or family-run taverns are often gathering places for residents, and conversations with them can reveal small local secrets, the best swimming spots, walking trails, or local festivals.
What advice would you give to young people from smaller towns who want to build a career in bigger cities?
Be prepared for challenges, ups and downs- moving to a bigger city often means facing a certain harshness and anonymity that suits some people and not others. What I would definitely advise is to see failures as part of the adaptation process and not give up at the first obstacle. And if you don’t find your place in a big city- that’s not a shame either. Life can be very beautiful in a small town or in the countryside, especially in this digital age when many jobs can be successfully done from wherever you are.
If we focus on PR and promoting your region, what would you recommend today- how to build your own brand?
Don’t reinvent the wheel; instead, turn existing advantages and natural beauty into authenticity. We’re so obsessed with inventing something new that we often fail to see the beauty right in front of us.
If you were filming a short movie about your region, what would the first scene be?
Turquoise sea and the sound of crickets in the background, with white pebbles in the foreground and a sun-tanned hand crushing ice in a crusher. For a cold summer drink- depending on what you prefer.
How do you see yourself in a few years? Is there a dream you would still like to achieve?
Of course, like most people from the south, there is a long-term plan to return south. As for short-term dreams, they change depending on my mood. I don’t like planning too much, but that certainly doesn’t mean I leave things to chance. Every day I try to learn something new or gain a new experience so that I’m ready to seize every opportunity that comes my way.
Some people carry their birthplace quietly within them. Others embody it. Mate Rončević- Croatian PR and event specialist, strategist, and communicator- belongs to the latter. Born in Ploče, in the very south of Croatia, he brings with him the openness of the sea, the ease of the Neretva rhythm, and the sharp instinct needed for the fast pace of Zagreb’s urban scene.
For nearly three decades, Mate has successfully combined two seemingly different worlds: the relaxed, authentic spirit of the south and the dynamic demands of public relations and event production. In this conversation, he reflects on roots and identity, the balance between “pomalo” and productivity, the art of promoting a place without losing its authenticity, and what it truly means to build a personal and professional brand while staying grounded in where you come from.
Many people associate you with the Neretva region. With your constant smile, I would say you are a top ambassador of the south. How important to you is this aspect of highlighting your roots?
I don’t remember ever receiving a nicer compliment- perhaps that’s the best answer to your question. I don’t think roots are something that necessarily need to be emphasized or something to be ashamed of. I believe pride should be reserved for personal achievements, not for things you cannot influence, such as where you come from. But even if I had been able to choose, I would have chosen the south- again and again, the south.
When you say “I’m going home,” what comes to mind first- the scent of the Neretva, the sound of a traditional boat, or something else?
“The unbearable lightness of being” is the first thing that comes to mind, and I’m not referring to Kundera’s novel, but to the same old slippers waiting for me, my father’s old undershirt that I put on despite his complaints that I have six closets full of clothes, my mother’s overcooked spaghetti (because of course you have to hang the laundry to dry while they’re boiling to save time), which taste better to me than those in a Michelin-starred restaurant, a complete and genuine rest for body and soul.
What does the Neretva Valley have that no big urban center can offer?
Peace, open space, the seasonal rhythm of life, and the authentic scents, colors, and flavors of nature.
How would you explain in three sentences to an "Erasmus" student or "European Solidarity Corps" volunteer why they must visit Metković and the Neretva Valley?
Well, for a start, find me a place that offers the unique opportunity to swim in three completely different environments in one day: a morning refreshment in the calm, drinkable waters of the Neretva estuary surrounded by lush nature; an afternoon enjoying the crystal-clear and tranquil Baćina Lakes; and ending the day in the turquoise sea on the most beautiful beaches of the Makarska Riviera. I would recommend everyone experience that at least once in their lifetime.
How much did growing up by the river shape you—in mentality, pace of life, ambitions?
I associate my upbringing less with the river and more with the sea, and anyone who grew up by the sea knows all the ways it shapes you. I think growing up by the sea teaches you to be open, but also adaptable to all the unexpected changes that the sea, just like life, brings. I’m convinced that growing up by the sea encourages you to curiously explore the world and the people around you, without prejudice.
Do you think young people today understand enough about the importance of local traditions?
I’m not even sure I myself understood the importance of local traditions in my youth. Young people are preoccupied with other things, and that’s normal- it should be that way. We older ones are here to welcome them warmly and with open arms when they become interested.
You live between the south and Zagreb- where do you feel “more yourself”?
I’ve lived in Zagreb for more than half my life, I love it and consider it my city, but when I say “home,” I mean Ploče. As the years go by, that feeling becomes more dominant.
What are your favorite urban moments in Zagreb- morning coffee, a walk around the neighborhood, a terrace, a concert?
I live in the city center and consider it an incredible privilege that every day, at least twice (to and from work), I walk through Deželić Passage- especially when it turns green and transforms into a magical green tunnel.
Can the Zagreb pace be combined with the Neretva “take it easy” mindset?
It can. I’ve been successfully combining them for almost 30 years. When I work, I work; when I rest, I rest. I don’t hold back in either.
When you need a reset, do you choose asphalt or sand?
I reset on both asphalt and sand, depending on what’s needed. It’s all a matter of decision and self-care.
What does enjoying life mean to you- is it good food, company, the sea, silence?
All of the above, but perhaps company comes first, because in good company food tastes better, the sea is bluer, and silence brings peace.
What would you recommend to the "Erasmus" students and "European Solidarity Corps"volunteers who want to experience the “real” Dalmatia, not just the Instagram postcard version?
Get to know the local people. Walk through markets and fish markets- vendors can be very distinctive and humorous, and you can learn a lot from them. The same goes for cafés and taverns off the main tourist routes- local cafés or family-run taverns are often gathering places for residents, and conversations with them can reveal small local secrets, the best swimming spots, walking trails, or local festivals.
What advice would you give to young people from smaller towns who want to build a career in bigger cities?
Be prepared for challenges, ups and downs- moving to a bigger city often means facing a certain harshness and anonymity that suits some people and not others. What I would definitely advise is to see failures as part of the adaptation process and not give up at the first obstacle. And if you don’t find your place in a big city- that’s not a shame either. Life can be very beautiful in a small town or in the countryside, especially in this digital age when many jobs can be successfully done from wherever you are.
If we focus on PR and promoting your region, what would you recommend today- how to build your own brand?
Don’t reinvent the wheel; instead, turn existing advantages and natural beauty into authenticity. We’re so obsessed with inventing something new that we often fail to see the beauty right in front of us.
If you were filming a short movie about your region, what would the first scene be?
Turquoise sea and the sound of crickets in the background, with white pebbles in the foreground and a sun-tanned hand crushing ice in a crusher. For a cold summer drink- depending on what you prefer.
How do you see yourself in a few years? Is there a dream you would still like to achieve?
Of course, like most people from the south, there is a long-term plan to return south. As for short-term dreams, they change depending on my mood. I don’t like planning too much, but that certainly doesn’t mean I leave things to chance. Every day I try to learn something new or gain a new experience so that I’m ready to seize every opportunity that comes my way.