August 14, 2020 – In memory of the glorious defense of Sinj from the Ottoman invasion, the battle of Sinj in 1715 and the events that preceded it were staged this year. The play was organized by the Sinj Tourist Board, with the support of the City of Sinj and the Ministry of Culture, and in cooperation with the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, the Alka Knights Society and KU Marko Marulic.
The plot of the “Battle of Sinj in 1715” took place in two acts. The first act began at the Market Square, King Tomislav Square, where the Ottoman conquest of the town of Sinj, the burning of the church and the enslavement of the regiment were staged. A handful of defenders with the image of the Mother of God took refuge in the Sinj Fortress, the easy conquest of which was announced by the arrogant Mustafa-pasha Celic, who triumphantly passed in a carriage with his entourage. This year, the play was enriched by the performance of the Brodosplit City Choir under the direction of maestro Vlado Sunko, and excellent light and sound effects.
In the second act, which took place this year in the original ambiance of the Alkarski dvori, the Defense Council decided to defend its city despite a more numerous and superior enemy. With Our Lady’s intercession, the Ottomans were eventually defeated, and the threat of the enemy removed. Led by Fr. Pavle Vučkovic, embodied by Fr. Hrvatin Gabrijel Jurisic, the joyful and grateful faithful have since celebrated their Protector with even greater zeal.
The Battle of Sinj in 1715 is a unique stage spectacle that, with its originality and drama, instantly transports the spectators to the year of the glorious victory that determined the future of the city. The author of the dramatic template was prof. Velimir Borkovic. The play was realized in cooperation with the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj and the Alka Knights Society.
About 100 participants contributed to its successful performance this year. The main actors were Fr. Hrvatin Gabrijel Jurišić, Marko Duvnjak, Bruno Barać, Marijan Grbavac, Damir Žane Alebić, Saša Miletić, Bobo Delonga, Dijana Ivić Kundid, Bože Pavić, Sanja Gojun Vučković, Vedrana Vrgoč, Željko Domjanović, Anđelka Vučković, Marija Mandac, Dino Vukovic, Dubravka Vukovic, Mario Vujevic and Marko Jelincic.
In addition to amateur theater actors, participation was included by members of the historical unit of the Klis Uskoks, the Patriot Veterans’ Cooperative, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, the Association of Rera and Gusla from Otok, the Association for the Preservation of the Heritage of the Cetina Region, Sinjski Ferali, and cavalrymen of the Alkar Equestrian Club 1968 and Marko Vuković, horses of the Alkar stud farm, and the carriage was taken care of by Mr. Davor Ivkovic. The director of the play was the prominent theater, television and film actor Robert Kurbaša. The assistant director was Bruno Barać, and the playwright and producer is Luka Perković.
This year’s performance was also dedicated to all Croatian veterans, and to all those who helped hold the show, but are no longer with us.
The Sinj Tourist Board truly thanks all employees and members of VAD, the Monastery of Our Lady of Sinj, the Purity of the Cetina Region – Sinj, KUS – Sinj, Kamička dd, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, members of the Veterans Cooperative Patriot, the historical unit of Klis Uskoks, the Association of Rera and Gusla from Otok, Sinj Majorettes, the Association for the Preservation of the Heritage of the Cetina Region, the Association of Sinjski Ferali, the Association SRMA, KGK Alkar 1968, KU Marko Marulić, Ms. Vesna Bader and Branka Marinović for scenography and props, staff and owner of the restaurant Alkarski dvori, and all who selflessly helped the successful realization of this spectacle.
Special thanks go to Mr. Vlado Sunko and GZ Brodosplit who magnified this play with the performance of the cantata to Our Lady of Sinj and thus gave it a new dimension in a unique way, then to media representatives and the audience who, despite pandemic conditions, participated successfully and patiently in implementing all recommended measures by the Civil Protection, as well as the Croatian Institute of Public Health, to preserve health.
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