Purger and Purgerica
Who are Purger and Purgerica
Purger and Purgerica are a duo who live and work at the URIHO Zagreb institution. URIHO is the oldest and largest protective workshop in Croatia, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Its mission is the vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities and other hard-to-employ groups.
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Purger and Purgerica are the trademark of URIHO. They are cheerful and lively, they love to work, and most enjoy helping with the sale and promotion of URIHO products made by persons with disabilities. While at work, they wear their stylized costumes, reminiscent of folk costumes and old Zagreb times. In their free time, as they wander around Zagreb, they swap their work uniforms for different clothing and fashion accessories.
We can describe them as very sociable, curious, and always ready to help. Reading, exploring, and learning are their favorite pastimes. They are the good spirits of Zagreb.
On the occasion of URIHO’s 80th anniversary, this dynamic duo brings in a series of stories about Zagreb, reminding readers of well-known facts and revealing few you may not have known.
In addition to exploring their city and telling stories, their wish is to visit and explore other places and cities in Croatia. All of their stories and adventures are published on the In Portal, a media outlet that focuses on issues and challenges faced by persons with disabilities and all social groups that need a voice. They invite you to visit our shops at Gajeva 4 and Avenue Marina Držića 1 or our web shop if you prefer.
If you are looking for a Zagreb-themed, authentic, handmade gift, these are the right places for you. Besides finding a great gift, you will also support the employment of persons with disabilities. It is they who have created these beautiful items and souvenirs.
What does “purger” mean?
The word purger comes from the German word Bürger, meaning “citizen” or “town resident.” It originally derives from the word Burg (fortress/city), referring to a person who lived within the city walls. In the Middle Ages and early modern period, it denoted a full-fledged city resident who was part of the legal community. A purger is a resident of Zagreb whose ancestors have lived in the city for generations. Through the historical influence of the German language on Zagreb speech (and beyond), the word became established as a colloquial term for the people of Zagreb. Purgerica is the feminine form of the noun purger.