The traditional Christmas concert of the Croatian Music Society Biranj in Kaštel Lukšić this Friday gathered numerous locals in the packed Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The concert has been held continuously for over 30 years, and it was here that the society celebrated its 130th anniversary.
Under the direction of the experienced maestro Denij Pjanić, who has been leading the orchestra since 2019, the attendees had the opportunity to enjoy traditional Croatian Christmas songs, as well as foreign compositions such as "The Blue Danube Waltz", "I Saw Mammy Kissing Santa Claus", "Rudolph, The Red-nosed Reindeer", and the indispensable "Bells" and "Radezky march" as an encore.
HGD Biranj was founded back in 1895 as an orchestra of about 15 members, while today there are more than 50 of them who have successfully held numerous concerts and competitions. The youngest members are elementary school students, while the majority are high school students and students, and the membership is completed by long-term members who have been active in Birnje for fifty years.
The president of the society, Milan Vrtlar, says:
- This is a traditional concert of the Croatian Music Society Biranj, which has been held for more than 30 years in the church in Kaštel Lukšić. This is one of our most important performances during the year.
Milan continues that the society gained four new members this year: Cvita Martinić, Marija Novak, Karmen Bedalov and Antea Bogdan.
Regarding the preparations for the concert, he states that this year, which was exceptionally active in terms of concerts, marked their 130th anniversary:
- About a month ago we held a big gala concert, so we prepared this Christmas concert very quickly after that. The preparations were very short, because we had that big gala concert just a month ago. The Christmas concert is one of our favorite performances, so we prepared it without any problems.
Along with the feast of the Assumption, Christmas is another holiday that is unimaginable without a Birnja concert, so those present celebrated the feast of St. Stephen with song and in a true holiday atmosphere.
Photo: Ivana Topic
