This Saturday, Croatian Roses held a spectacular concert as part of the Kaštela Advent, in front of a packed park in Kaštel Lukšić. With strong emotion and patriotic energy, the concert attracted numerous Kaštel residents, as well as their guests, confirming once again how special this kind of musical expression has been among the audience.
"We are the boys from the other side of the Cetina River"
These were the words with which they greeted the large audience and immediately won over the crowd, announcing an evening filled with pop-rock music and strong messages. Among the audience was a Canadian woman who had recently moved to Kaštel Stari, and had come to the concert at the invitation of her cousin. As she says, the evening was extremely fun for her, and the atmosphere was spectacular.
"Never give a single centimeter of Croatia to anyone, not even at the cost of your life"
Song after song invited the Kaštela audience to sing along to well-known pop-rock and patriotic hits. The founder and member of Croatian Roses, composer of numerous Croatian songs, Nenad Ninčević, urged the audience: “Never give a single centimeter of Croatia to anyone, not even at the cost of your life.” These were words that resonated strongly throughout the park, after which they sang the song “Ako ne znaš šta je bilo” (If You Don’t Know What Happened) together with the audience. It was this song, as well as “Lijepa li si” (Are You Beautiful), along with numerous other Thompson hits, that caused a real delirium among the audience.
Among those gathered was Tomislav, who summed up his impressions simply:
– I came because of patriotism, that's what attracted me. The Croatian Rose group attracted me and I'm enjoying it immensely tonight. The concert is great.
One of the regular visitors to every musical performance during Advent is Ana, who did not hide her enthusiasm:
– I'm thrilled with Advent, I come every year, I don't miss Advent. It's great, Miro is great, the food, burgers and pizza are great. Croatian Roses are great tonight, especially when they sing Thompson's songs.
The person Ane mentioned is concessionaire Miroslav Milan-Stude, who points out that this year he has taken into account the suggestions of visitors from last year's Advent. So now each cottage has its own special gastronomic offer, and this year his cottage is offering mulled whiskey, mulled Jäger, and the indispensable Dubai shooter.
Faith, love and homeland
Full of impressions and grateful for the great reception in Kaštela, Antonio Marićević from Croatian Roses said a few words:
– Croatian Roses is a band brought together by our dear Neno. First of all, they are family people – each of us has our own family. Croatian Roses offers patriotism, faith and love for the homeland. That is the most important thing for us.
When asked how the audience in Kaštela liked them, he added:
– Beautiful. You guys were wonderful. Kisses from the Croatian Roses and from me personally – he said, expressing hope that the timeless song "If You Don't Know What Happened" will remain among us and in our hearts forever, at least for another thousand years.
Without Nenad Ninčević, there would be no many timeless songs that have marked Croatian musical patriotism, and it is he who is most responsible for the existence of the group Croatian Roses. It is a group of seven top musicians gathered in a strong and recognizable musical ensemble.
Nenad Ninčević, the author of numerous verses and strong messages, once again clearly emphasized his life and musical commitment:
– I always say the same thing. Don't hate anyone, hate is a disease, it's not an emotion. But don't give even a square centimeter of Croatia to anyone in your lifetime. The homeland is one, there is no south and north, no parties. The homeland is more important than anything. Protect it. Don't shoot it in the back by dividing it into left and right. There is no left and right – there is only the homeland, that is love.
Speaking about the creation of the song "If You Don't Know What Happened", he emphasized:
– It's a song dedicated to our children. Mine, Marko's, your children. They need to know what happened. It's important to keep the peace and appreciate what we have. It's important to know what happened.
He also explained how Croatian Roses came about:
– We are self-sufficient. We have no need to make money or impose ourselves. We go and play all over Croatia and wherever we go – we are welcome. We carry a message of peace and goodness. Croatia needs a little peace. We are a cultural European nation and we do not want to impose anything on anyone, but we also do not want it to be imposed on us.
The Croatian Roses concert in Kaštel Lukšić was more than just a musical event – it was a powerful encounter of song, patriotism and togetherness, an evening in which emotions, messages of peace and love for the homeland once again showed how much music can connect people and leave a mark that goes beyond the stage itself.
Photo/ Video: Ivana Topić
