Tradition is the most beautiful gift, and last night the Obor Visoka association donated the living customs of Unešić through the “Treasure of the Homeland.” The guests included the Srce Zagore Cultural Association, the Primorski Dolac Cultural Association, the Visočanke and the Divojčanke, along with an exhibition of works by Branko Sirić and the inevitable lottery with prosciutto as the main prize.
Last night, Kaštela was full of events, and a particularly beautiful ambiance was created by the parade of cultural organizations. Obor Association - Visoka. Starting from the gardens in Novi, Queen Jelena and King Zvonimir led a procession of authentic life from the Unešić region in a carriage as a sign and honor to history and everyday peasant life. The motto of the association is clear: "preservation, protection and development of cultural heritage", and the importance of children knowing their roots is also mentioned.
Because the trees of Kaštela are intertwined with roots from various regions, creating a rich cultural 'mix' that is easily forgotten when looking ahead, towards the West and to the small screens. Therefore, this evening is special and additionally embellished with an even richer program compared to last year. And all of this would not be possible without sponsors and donors, because such an event still requires logistics, adequate space and planning.
With expert guidance and warm words from host Petra Škrinjarić, the evening was opened by the vice president of the association. Josip Bosnjak, and the audience was greeted by Queen Jelena and King Dmitar Zvonimir, as we enter the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian kingdom. Marija Tešija recited a poem she wrote in honor of the efforts of the Obor - Visoka association, which cheered up the audience and prepared them for an evening full of warmth, despite the heat wave.
The hosts thanked everyone who supports them, starting from members of the associations through donors: the Municipality of Unešić, Šibenik-Knin County, to the sponsorship for which they are especially grateful. And the sponsors are the City of Kaštela and the Kaštela Tourist Board. Their wholehearted support and recognition of the importance of such events are a key element for the heritage to continue to live on. In the words of one member of the KUD “Because as long as there is oil, the candle burns”.
Cultural and artistic community Primorski Dolac were the first to step on stage. They have been operating since 2008 and are equipped with all the customs you would expect: ojkavica, treskavica, kolo, diple and gusle. They stood in front of the audience in large numbers and kicked their feet to various tunes. They continued Cultural and artistic community Heart of Zagora, based in Lećevica, and which we have the opportunity to see in Solin and Kaštela. Tonight they performed in full costume and without the need for a microphone, which was common to all of them, because their lungs and hearts are not suffocated by the city smog.
This was followed by a gift from Visoka - they stood in front of the audience Visočanka in ancient costumes, bringing songs woven into their genes, and after this evening they will kick stones in the Old Castle, because stones remember. They were greeted with applause, which continued with the arrival of Girls. These are three relatives who modestly asked, "If possible, we would sing on stage." And where and when but at the Homeland Treasure, and that's how it happened. They delighted their friends from other cultural organizations, and everyone present, with their singing.
And next to arrive on stage was a table. And for a special performance, a šijavica. The vice president of the association and the 'king' Dmitar Zvonimir weighed in. Quickly, fiercely and under the watchful eye of the judge, they bluffed and brainstormed in a game that required extreme concentration and functuaries. One table and three men thus created greater tension than any thriller with famous actors. And the tension to the boiling point of the hot evening was also created by the lottery draw.
Three prizes were awarded, from a liter of homemade walnut brandy and cherry brandy, to woolen cloth whips and Šibenik hats, and the main prize - Drniš prosciutto. See who won the valuable prize in the gallery. And right at the beginning, check out the beautiful handmade works Branko Sirić who is exhibiting in Kaštela for the second time, but certainly not the last, because he delights every time. This time, visitors had the opportunity to purchase some of the works, as well as healthy preparations from other exhibitors, as well as traditional Šibenik hats.
And finally, with the distribution of certificates of appreciation, it became emotional. The president of the association did not hold back his emotion as he distributed certificates of appreciation to honorary members, one of whom is absent due to a combination of circumstances, and they remember him with pride, and the Association reports that he is also absent in sadness. Certificates of appreciation were presented to sponsors, visiting cultural and artistic societies, and special thanks were also given to all those present. After a joint photo, the festivities continued just a few steps further down - at the record-breaking fishing festival of the PŠK Srdela!
Photo/video: Andrej Valentić
