They Left Germany and Returned to Ljubuški: Here, We Are Among Our Own!

They lived and worked in Germany for years, yet their hearts constantly pulled them back to Herzegovina. Today, a growing number of Croatian families are returning to Ljubuški, where they find peace, security, and the opportunity for a fresh start. Among them are those who dreamed of coming back since childhood, and who now want their children to grow up where their roots are.

Their emotional stories open four new episodes of the series "My Choice BiH" (Moj izbor BiH), whose first stop is Ljubuški—a town that has been rapidly changing, developing, and attracting those who want to build their future there in recent years.

Mario Primorac, better known as Maka, was born in Essen, Germany, but his roots trace back to Radišići near Ljubuški. While his peers traveled across Europe during school holidays, he preferred visiting Herzegovina. Even as a boy, he dreamed of returning one day, starting a family, and living there. Many did not believe him, insisting that those who leave for abroad rarely come back. However, Mario never gave up on his dream.

After marrying his wife Ivana in 2009, he moved to Germany. There, they built a life together and had four children—Klara, Petar, Marija, and Toma. Still, the desire to return never faded. He was especially driven by the thought of giving his children the childhood he had always wished for himself—in his homeland, surrounded by family, tradition, and the values he grew up with. One childhood memory holds a special place in his heart: after a stay in Herzegovina, he did not want to head back to Germany. He wanted to stay so badly that he got out of the car and walked toward his grandparents' house. His parents told him then that the time would come when he could return. Today, he believes his family has finally reached that moment.

A similar story is shared by a family that returned to Ljubuški from Freiburg, Germany, with three children. The decision was not easy. Life in Germany brought them valuable experiences, but also the realization of what mattered most to them—family, peace, faith, and a sense of belonging. The turning point came when the children started school. The parents concluded that this was the exact right moment to return.

"Somehow, you are among your own (svoj na svome)," the mother points out, explaining that they returned primarily for the children, their safety, and a calmer upbringing. Returning also brought her a career opportunity she had not achieved in Germany. In Ljubuški, she found employment in her profession as a preschool teacher. Through her experience, she hopes to encourage other emigrant families who are considering returning but fear the uncertainty.

The stories of returnees are not isolated examples. According to city representatives, the return of families from abroad has become increasingly pronounced in Ljubuški in recent years. They emphasize that economic development, job creation, proximity to Croatia, and investments in demographic measures are among the key reasons people decide to come back.

The return of young families with children is particularly encouraging. According to data presented in the report, 743 children were born in the West Herzegovina Canton in 2023, while a figure of 1,015 newborns is cited for 2025.

The city also invests in preschool education. Over 300 children attend three public kindergartens, and roughly the same number, according to available estimates from city officials, attend private kindergartens. Lowering kindergarten fees, expanding capacity, and providing other forms of support for parents are all part of efforts to make life easier for young families.

The return and retention of young families are encouraged through a series of measures at both the city and cantonal levels. These include financial aid for families with multiple children, free textbooks for elementary school students, student transportation, co-financing of school supplies, and student scholarships.

According to information presented in the report, the West Herzegovina Canton provides a monthly allowance of 200 Convertible Marks (KM) for a third child during the first seven years of life, while higher amounts are designated for a fourth and fifth child. The City of Ljubuški has also secured a grant of 10,000 Convertible Marks for young families to buy an apartment or build a family house. These are all measures through which the local community strives to create conditions for young people to stay, as well as for those who left to return.

The return of families is also visible in Ljubuški’s schools. There are three central elementary schools with branch schools operating in the city area, attended by just over 1,500 students in total. In recent years, schools have recorded an influx of children from abroad. In just one school over the past year, 11 new students were enrolled, with returnee families coming from Germany, Croatia, Ireland, and Switzerland. For many little ones, this means the start of a completely new life, meeting new friends, and growing up in the environment from which their families originate.

In kindergartens, special attention is also paid to preserving local traditions. Children learn about the history of Ljubuški, the customs of their ancestors, and traditional Herzegovinian dishes such as raštika (collard greens) and pura (cornmeal polenta).

Beyond family stories, Ljubuški is also seeing economic initiatives that open new opportunities for returnees. One example is the development of agriculture, particularly viticulture and olive growing. A young agronomist, who returned to his native region after studying and gaining professional experience in Zagreb, California, England, and Germany, has been actively working on developing wine and olive oil production in recent years.

There are more than 200 hectares of olive groves in the Ljubuški area, and interest in other agricultural crops is growing as well. The "Plodovi zemlje" ("Fruits of the Earth") association, which brings together more than 180 people, works on agricultural development and promoting local products, among which the Ljubuški early potato holds a special place. Winemaking is also expanding, and local producers note a rising interest in investments and starting independent businesses. One entrepreneur states that his production has doubled in the last two years and that friends from Germany increasingly reach out to him asking about employment opportunities and returning home.

Ljubuški also attracts those who for years only visited Herzegovina during the holidays. One family with roots tied to this region decided to move to Herzegovina after years of living in Osijek and invest in tourism, specifically holiday homes. Nature, a quieter pace of life, fewer crowds, and the desire for their children to grow up in a different environment were important reasons behind their decision. For many returnees, the quality of everyday life is precisely what cannot be measured solely by the size of a paycheck.

For decades, Ljubuški was a region people left in search of jobs, security, and a better future. Germany and other European countries gave many families a fresh start, yet their bond with their homeland never broke. Today, their life stories are taking a different turn. Those who once left with suitcases are now returning with children, experience, knowledge, and the desire to build a future right here in Herzegovina.

And perhaps the best description of these homecomings fits into a few simple words echoed across the stories of returnees—here, we are among our own.

Source: HRT