Trace of light

LocationDubrovnik / Ljubač
InvestorCity of Dubrovnik
Year2023.
Area116 m²
StatusCompleted
Documentary

The memorial is located on Ljubač hill, near Orašac near Dubrovnik, at the place where firefighter Goran Komlenac tragically lost his life on 07/31/2022. in a ring of flame. The concept of the memorial is based on three elements. The first element of light came from a biblical quote that is the main guiding thought of the project: He who loves his brother abides in the light (1 John 2:10). The second element – the circle, is based on the dry-stone structures of the threshing floor and threshing floor of Dubrovnik’s rural area, and is also a symbol of life, togetherness, family and meeting.

The third element – the vertical stands as a symbol of Goran’s courage and nobility that led him to eternity. The path that leads to the memorial is shaped as a symbol of ascent, and a brave fight with the element of fire. The circle begins with rough stone blocks as a metaphor for life’s struggle and sacrifice. At the place of suffering, the circle is broken by the breaking of a stone as an interpretation of a young life abruptly ended, but at the same time the breaking is a representation of Goran’s love for his fellow man because he gave the most sacred thing – his life.

This dramatic moment of suffering is additionally emphasized by the architectural phenomenological language in the black color obtained by the action of fire, and in this way the circumstances of the suffering are faithfully interpreted. The date of suffering is indicated on the surface of the stone. The path of the soul to eternity is symbolically shown with the stone cut to a brilliant polish, and the circle ends with a vertical line with the sign of the cross as a symbol of love without measure. On the vertical there is an engraved quote of the main idea of the project and a dedication from the City of Dubrovnik and the Public Fire Brigade.
TRACE OF LIGHT is a memorial that radiates the light of faith, strength and hope because Goran, despite the tragedy, leaves a trace of light in all of us with his example of self-sacrifice and giving his life for others.