In memory of the famous defense of Sinj from the Ottoman invasion, this year, the Battle of Sinj in 1715, and the events that preceded it, were celebrated. The event was held in the organization of the Tourist Board of Sinj, with the support of the City of Sinj, Split-Dalmatia County, and the Ministry of Culture.
The ‘Battle of Sinj 1715’ took place in two acts. The first act began at Pijaca, Kralja Tomislava Square, where the Ottoman conquest of the Sinj varoš, the falling of the church, and the enslavement of people, was enacted. Bahati Mustafa-paša Čelić celebrated the victory by carriage and announced the easy conquest of the Sinj Fortress, where there were a handful of soldiers and the picture of Our Lady of Sinj.
The second act took place in the original ambiance of the Alka Square, the former Kvartira. The Defense Council, despite the almost unobtrusive situation, does not think twice about retaliating and defended their city against a larger, superior and more powerful enemy. According to the tradition, with the help of Our Lady, the Ottomans were defeated, and Sinj was freed from the threats of the enemy warship, keeping the predispositions of Christianity. Headed by Fr. Pavle Vučković (a grammar school professor, scholar, writer, editor and publisher of Br. Gabrijel Hrvatin Jurišić, a self-sacrificing priest and an inexhaustible source of wisdom), the joyful and grateful believers, with even greater fervor, glorified their patron.
The ‘Battle of Sinj 1715’ is a unique spectacle and a kind of time machine – under the August sky, the whole city was inspired by a moment 300 years ago!
The author of the performance was prof. Velimir Borković. The performance was realized in cooperation with the St. Mary’s Divine Shrine. Participants of the amateur theaters are Ratomir Kliškić – Baritone, members of the Klis USKOK, Gromov Zagorja – Our Beautiful Guardians, Patriot Defense Cooperatives, Croatian Rescue Services, Association of Rera and Gusar from Otok, KUD Dicmo, KUD Glavice, Association for the Conservation of Cetina Heritage, Sinj feral, horsemen of the Viteška Alkar Society, and the Ergele horses of the Alka who are cared for by Mr. Davor Ivković. After the early departure of director Rade Perković, assistant director Bruno Barać took over the directorship of this year’s historic-stage show.
This year’s performance is dedicated to the longtime director, and recently deceased Rade Perković and all Croatian defenders. The Sinj Tourist Board sincerely thanks everyone who helped in organizing and performing the Battle of Sinj 1715, as well as the large audience which surpassed all expectations.
