With a festive program and a rich fashion show, the 16th Days of Tradition "Nostalgia", an event dedicated to the preservation of Croatian traditional heritage, creativity and identity, were officially opened in Kaštel Novi on Thursday. The program is held under the auspices of the City of Kaštel, Split-Dalmatia County, the Ministries of Tourism, Agriculture, Regional Development and EU Funds, and with the support of the TZG Kaštel, the Šušur association and the Cemex company.
It all started with a ceremonial parade of the Kaštela majorettes, accompanied by the Croatian Music Society Biranj, who paraded along the waterfront, bringing a dose of festivity and rhythm to the first day of the event. The parade was also joined by young actors from the Škatula Children's Theater, playing the characters of Miljenko and Dobrila.
The event, which has been held continuously since 2010 with the aim of extending the tourist season and promoting Kaštela culture, is the winner of the "Sunflower of Croatian Rural Tourism" award for traditional event, and this year's edition returns the audience to what is primal - folk costumes and ethnic motifs.
The evening began with the traditional flight of the dove of peace, released by County Prefect Blaženko Boban with the symbolic message: "Tradition is the essence."
On the waterfront in Kaštel Novi in the coming days, passers-by will come across the stands of the eco-ethnic fair of small artisans from all over Croatia, and last night a festive fashion show with a rich program, in which numerous local and visiting designers, schools, cultural and artistic societies and clubs, attracted special attention.
The first to present was Tajana Jurišić – Taya from Slavonski Brod with her ETNO BRAND TAYA collection, inspired by motifs from the Šokac region's past, which has already been presented at Serbia Fashion Week, Dubai Afra World and will soon travel to India and Milan. Her collections stand out for their fusion of tradition and contemporary expression.
The youngest also presented their expression - children from the Kaštela Children's Center dressed in costumes inspired by the legend of Miljenko and Dobrila.
The "Etno Spring" collection has arrived from the Industrial and Craft School in Nova Gradiška, the work of student Lorena Klarić under the mentorship of professor Vera Tomić-Žager. Inspired by Slavonian cloths, the collection carries the spirit of times gone by, consisting of skirts, dresses, and trousers that celebrate the customs and people of their native region.
The Folklore Ensemble "Jedinstvo" from Split, the oldest cultural association in Croatia with over 105 years of activity, also performed, presenting the costumes of the Valpovo region and Prigorje, with characteristic Pannonian and Zagreb folklore features. In addition to them, the cultural associations "7 Kaštela" and "Ante Zaninović" also walked the catwalk.
The Slavonski Brod Craft and Technical School, which celebrates its 140th anniversary next year, presented the work of the Fashion, Textile and Leather sector - the "Little Black Dress" collection, created by students of the fashion technician department.
Andrea Mrmić Validžija from Petrinja also delighted with her interpretation of ethno motifs, whose evening dresses and wedding dresses contain elements of Petrinja and Banovina folk costumes. Renata Lončar presented a collection of final works by students of the 3rd grade of tailoring from the Split Craft School
The audience was also enchanted by the fashion show "Exotics in motion" of the brand No7 by Šime Kovačević, a well-known HRT face and designer. His models were also worn by famous journalists, including our own Valerija Maglica and Snježana Plazonja.
The show ended with an emotional and dignified presentation of the creation "Alka", by fashion designer Branka Vukušić, who has been the face of Nostalgija since its very beginning. The creation was worn by her daughter Dora Vukušić, paying tribute to her late mother, who left a strong mark on the Croatian ethno-scene with her work and passion. Her work, crowned with the Golden Rose in Istanbul, continues to live on through generations that encourage them to weave heritage into a contemporary fashion story.
The models' looks were taken care of by makeup artists: Anđa Šilović, Magdalena Poša, Petra Doljanin and Duje Buljan, who used their skills to further emphasize the beauty of the presented creations.
At the end of the evening, the director of the Kaštela Tourist Board, Nada Maršić, and the initiator of Nostalgija, Željka Perdić, addressed the audience, thanking all participants, collaborators and guests who contribute to the preservation of Croatian cultural heritage year after year.
In the coming days, visitors can expect a rich cultural and artistic program here on Brcko, a program in the spirit of Christian tradition, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Peter, the patron saint of the Kaštel Novi Parish, and a rich eco-ethno fair and program on the waterfront. The Days of Tradition Nostalgia once again confirm that preserving heritage is possible – with love, creation and pride.
Photo: Ivana Topic
