On a warm June evening, Brce in Kaštel Kambelovac turned into a vibrant stage of tradition, song and dance. Cultural and artistic society "Ante Zaninović" organized a children's folklore event under the symbolic name "Life is a Dancer, You are the Dance!", which brought together local performers and their guests in celebration of the rich Croatian cultural heritage.
Under the guidance of a nice manager Mare Vulas, who is also a member of the orchestra, the audience enjoyed a diverse program filled with folklore pieces from different parts of Croatia – from Dalmatia to Slavonia, Baranja and Moslavina. The evening was opened by the youngest children's group of the KUD "Ante Zaninović", performing children's dances from Dalmatia, accompanied by a friend of the KUD, the young accordionist Mateo Plečaš.
The little performers "broke the ice" with enthusiasm and cheerfulness and heartily earned the first big applause of the evening. After the hosts, the guests from Vinkovci took the stage - Gatalinka Cultural Center. First, they performed the song "Na Dunavu Čarda" and dances from Tovarnik from 1967, and then presented themselves again with an energetic Polka from Moslavina and the musical and theatrical act "Iđe u soldate" with songs and dances from Baranja. Their performance was the result of exceptional work and knowledge that is passed down through generations of children and young people in Gatalinka, along with learning to dance, sing and play traditional instruments.
The guests from Trogir also deserved a special round of applause – Cultural and artistic community "Kvadrilla", who brought a touch of history to the audience with a performance of the Trogir dance – šotić, a traditional dance from the time of French rule. In the second part of the program, they also performed the Old Split Dances, prepared under the direction of Tonćo Tadin, further enriching the Dalmatian folklore expression of the evening. The audience was especially delighted by the return of the hosts to the stage.
The older children's group of the KUD "Ante Zaninović" performed dances of the Molise Croats, and to end the evening, an impressive number, songs and dances of Kaštela, accompanied by the musical accompaniment of the first mandolin orchestra of the KUD. The event ended with heartfelt words of gratitude to the audience and guests, and numerous parents, friends and folklore lovers did not hide their delight at what they had seen. Joy shone on the children's faces, and on the stage - love for tradition.
"Life is a dancer, you are the dance!" once again showed that folklore is not just a memory of the past, but a living link between generations, identity and togetherness. At the end, the host thanked the main organizers: the City of Kaštela and the Kaštela Tourist Board, and invited the audience to the next event organized by the KUD "Ante Zaninović", which this year is the 23rd International Folklore Festival "They danced for love.˝ which will be held on Brca in Kaštel Kambelovac July 11, 2025.
Photo: Andrej Valentić
This text was co-financed by the Split-Dalmatia County within the framework of the Program for the Promotion and Development of Cultural Content in the Split-Dalmatia County via Electronic Media in 2025.
