The booklet A Cow in a Walnut Tree is a visual interpretation of Miroslav Krleža’s poem of the same title from The Ballads of Petrica Kerempuh. Through absurd and grotesque illustrations, custom lettering and the format of the publication itself, the project follows the poem’s motifs while celebrating the richness of Kajkavian folk poetry.

Its accordion format enables a dynamic reading experience that echoes the rhythm of the poem, while the closed booklet resembles the hilly landscape of the region, concealing the story within. In this way, the publication’s form becomes an integral part of its meaning and experience.

The aim of the project is to bring Croatian cultural heritage and the Kajkavian dialect closer to audiences. Although less familiar to many, it is just as rich, playful and expressive as Krava na orehu itself.