Memorial area to the Croatian Mother in Velika Erpenja
Mons. Kolarić visited Velika Erpenja as a student in 1968 and discovered there that the mother of the author of the Croatian anthem - Justina Mihanović - was buried in the cemetery next to the church. He even found that it was recorded that her son Antun was also present at her funeral, and he believes that he was sitting on that hill, from where a beautiful view of Hrvatsko Zagorje can be seen, and got the inspiration to write the Croatian anthem. Justin's grave was decorated in 1974, as was the tombstone.
With the arrival of democracy in Croatia, the Society of the Brothers of the Croatian Dragon was re-established, which seeks to preserve the memory of great people and events from the Croatian past. The Grand Master in the Society was also Msgr. Kolarić, who suggested that the grave of Mihanović's mother be arranged in Velika Erpenja, but also the tradition of celebrating Mother's Day.
"The renovation lasted for three years. We had a new tombstone on which it was written in Croatian who was buried there, and originally the inscription was in German. Our architect Ante Vodnjaković made a big stage, and many others participated in the project. I remind you that there was one of the first schools in Zagorje that was visited by the first Archbishop of Zagreb Juraj Haulik, it was a nursery of culture. The first celebration of Mother's Day, after the renovation, took place on June 10, 1998. And the following year, on May 9, the celebration was joined by the Croatian Women's Society, which was entrusted by the Society of the Croatian Dragon Brothers to take care of further Mother's Day celebrations, "said Msgr. Kolarić.
From year to year, this day in Velika Erpenja is celebrated with a festive all-day program. Anyone who wishes can come to the memorial area to express their gratitude to the Croatian mother for the love they give.