CROATIA Traditions and Music ¸¸ Croatians love holidays and festivities. There are many festivals celebrated throughout the year, like jazz festivals in Zagreb in spring and pop music festivals and Croatian music festivals in Dubrovnik in summer. Zagreb also hosts several international festivals, such as the International Festival of Animation, the International Folklore Festival, and Eurokaz, a European theatre festival. Croatian folk music developed under the influence of different styles. The "kolo"—a Slavic round dance popular in Croatia--is usually accompanied by Roma-style violin or tambura, a Croatian mandolin. The guitar music is also very popular in Croatia.

Festivities and events Slavonia has a rich tradition of hosting cultural events and performances. The main event in Đakovo is the yearly ‘Đakovački vezovi’ (Đakovo Embroidery) which takes place at the beginning of July. It is a folklore show which includes folk costumes, folklore dancing and traditional songs from the entire region. In Slavonski Brod there is a folklore festival, the Brod Round Dance, which takes place in mid-June, and

a festival of patriotic folk songs in May. In Požega on St. Gregory’s Day, March 12, there is a traditional show of cannons and mortars which celebrates the victory over the Turks in 1688. In Požega there is also a folk music festival ‘Zlatne žice Slavonije’ (Golden Strings of Slavonia), held every third weekend in September (it lasts three days).

On the first day of the festival, a traditional grape harvest is held (‘Požeška berba grožđa’) accompanied by folklore dancing and traditional songs. Another important folklore show is held in Vinkovci. It is called ‘Smotra Vinkovačke jeseni’ (Vinkovci Autumn Folk Festival).

National costumes In Slavonia, traditional women’s costumes consist of a richly gathered skirt, a red or black woven ornament attached to the back part of the skirt (rubina) or a colourful waistband. What is also characteristic is a white linen blouse with wide sleeves usually with lace. Women also wear a beautiful chequered apron (zapreg) made of thin wool and a waistcoat.

Some well-known accessories are antique gold jewellery (gold coins) and red checquered headscarves with small woollen balls. Men usually wear long wide white trousers with embroidery and white linen shirts. Single-coloured waistcoasts and dark-coloured hats are also worn.

Tradition in Slavonia ‘Vinkovačke jeseni’ started 30 years ago. It is a traditional festival of great importance. This festival is a part of our cultural heritage, it brings people together but it also preserves our folklore and our customs.

‘Vinkovačke jeseni’ A part of ‘Vinkovačke jeseni’ are ‘Šokački divani’, together with numerous exhibitions,presentations,concerts,forums,chess and tennis tournaments, the Plum Brandy Fair,The Best Kulen Contest, and many other manifestations,including ones for children.

Golden Strings of Slavonia                                                  ‘Golden Strings of Slavonia’is a three-day event that takes place every third weekend of September at the baroque square of the Holy Trinity in the centre of Požega. A part of the event is so called ‘Grape Picking’with procession of pickers and folklore exhibiters who display the centuries-old tradition of grape cultivation and quality wine making in the ‘Vallis Aurea’(i.e.the Golden Valley).

Golden Srings of Slavonia The selection of the prettiest Šokica also takes part here. There the most authentic folk costume is chosen. Another important event is the ‘midnight concert for lovers’ at the Tekija spring in Požega,held since Turkish times.

The folklore The tambura is an original Slavonian and Croatian instrument.Every year the festival is visited by many guests from our country and abroad. The international folklore festival is held each year in Zagreb.It is the greatest European manifestation of its kind.The traditional folk dances include knight games (the Sinj ‘alka’,the Korčula ‘moreška’-an ancient knightly dance form Korčula that evokes the struggle of the populace with African pirates, the Blato ‘kumpanija’),as well as picturesque collective dances(the Sušak,Pag and Krk ‘tanec’).Other festivities associated with fishing, the so called ‘fishing nights’are held on many locations.

ĐAKOVAČKI VEZOVI The ‘Đakovački Vezovi’ festival takes place every year.Many folk groups from Slavonia participate.For 38 years the town of Đakovo has been the host of this folklore festival. It is a manifestation where folklore,customs,cutural heritage and tourism are promoted. The manifestation includes authentic folklore of Slavonia,Baranja and other regions of Croatia. Some other events that take place there are exhibitions, equestrian events, literary evenings, musical manifestations, days of bread, wine and “kulen”.

TAMBURIZA Tamburiza is a wired music instrument, some consider it to be one of our national instruments. The original shape and model of tamburiza is preserved in Teba and Egipt, where that instrument is called lauta. I love Tamburiza ! It makes me happy!

Lets find something about tamburiza Tamburiza was one of the favourite instruments of Bosnian-Turkish professional army called “janičar” who would play on the tamburiza by himself and that’s why tamburiza is also called ‘Samica’.

Where are my notes about tamburiza? ...and a bit more  Samica only had two wires. Its threemain parts are the troop, neck and head. Main characheristic of the first professional tamburiza’s orchestra was that it had 3 – 8 players who played in restaurants. Where are my notes about tamburiza?

An American in Zagreb I was born in America but I have been living in Zagreb for 10 years. It is very nice here in Zagreb. There are a lot of nice churches and a lot of caffés. Most of the people are very kind and friendly. Even though I love living here in Zagreb I look forward to going to America every summer.

People in Zagreb Everyone is very nice looking and into fashion. They like to have fun. The part that I dont like about them is that some people show off a little too much, but I guess you can find people like that everywhere.

When I came to Croatia When I came to Croatia from Germany, I was 6 years old. The first place I visited was Umag in Istria. I spent two weeks of holidays there. During that time I visited a lot of famous cities along the Istrian coast. Just to name a few, Pula , Rovinj, Poreč, Novigrad, Labin, Rabac and Opatija. I was also in the inland of Istria and visited old cities like Motovun and Grožnjan and Buzet. After the vacation I moved to Zagreb and had to start school. Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and it is a very active city. Zagreb has 1 million citizens. There are a lot of universities and museums. They have a beautiful Opera in the center of Zagreb. In comparison to Germany the houses look older and the streets are not as good as in Germany. There are famous places in Zagreb like Trg Ban Jelačić – the main square. There are some big shopping centres like King Cross, Importane and Kaptol. There is also a big park with an artificial lake called Jarun. Zagreb has so many places that even many Croatian people don’t know the whole Zagreb. It is great to live here.

Zagreb

Music in Slavonia and Zagreb Folk music of Zagorje is known for polka and waltz music similiar to the neighboring Slovenia and Austria. Folk music of Međimurje, small region in Croatia, with its melancholic tunes that became most popular form of folklor.

Towns of Vinkovci and Đakovo host yearly folklore festivals where music is listened as a part of tradition.

Music Since its independence in 1991,Croatia has maintained a very active musical culture.Most of the present-day activities are the result of the establishment of institutions over a century ago and of a musical heritage going back to the Middle Ages. In the capital city alone there are numerous orchestras, an opera company and other musical ensembles. The Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra is the nation’s oldest orchestra, it was founded in the same year as the Zagreb Opera Orchestra in 1870.

The reputation of the orchestra increased in the 20th century under a number of distinguished conductors, including the legendary Lovro von Matačić who led the orchestra in the 1970s. Zagreb’s other orchestra are the Croatian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, which were founded in the early 20th century.

...and more music  Founded in 1991, the Croatian Army Symphony Wind Orchestra is the official orchestra of the Repuplic of Croatia. There are four opera houses in Croatia which have the title of the “National Opera “: they are situated in Zagreb, Osijek, Split and Rijeka. The Zagreb Music Biennele is one of the world’s major contemporary music festivals.

...and lastly  Dubrovnik Summer Festival is one of the most important music festivals in Croatia. Some other festivals that take place in Croatia are Varaždin Baroque Evenings, Pula International Music Festival, Zagreb Summer Festival, Čakovec Days of Croatian Music and International Jazz Days.