A solemn mass began the celebration on the Split waterfront by the Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia, Monsignor Giorgio Lingua, and a procession was held, reports Jutarnji List.
The Minister of Culture and Media, Nina Obuljen Koržinek, and the Minister of the Economy and Sustainable Development, Davor Filipović, participated in the celebration as a delegate of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia.
Numerous visitors from neighboring cities and municipalities and the island came to Split, and tourists also enjoy celebrating the birthday of the over 1,700-year-old city. Everyone agrees on one thing – Split is the most beautiful city to which they wish all the best in the next thousands of years.
The delegate of the Prime Minister, Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek, wished all the citizens of Split a happy day, expressing satisfaction that they can celebrate Sveti Duje again after two pandemic years.
“I believe that Sveti Duje will bring a good season, prosperity and everything we hope for. We are here on the Peristyle, the center of heritage. Split is a city that preserves its heritage, and I am glad that this segment of our common, spiritual church is preserved, and invaluable intangible heritage,” stressed Obuljen Koržinek.
Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Davor Filipović told reporters that he was happy to be in Split today, adding that his parents and brother live here and that a good part of his youth and some of the most beautiful moments of his life took place in Split.
“Split is a city of rich tradition and heritage. I congratulate all the Split citizens on their city day and the patron saint Sveti Duje,” said Filipović.
Former mayor Ivica Puljak wished his fellow citizens and guests a happy and pleasant holiday. He said that he was sure that Split would soon get a worthy mayor.
In addition to the traditional Fair on the Riva, which features 150 exhibitors from all over Croatia this year, the humanitarian swimming race “With a Heart for Little Heroes” started at 11 am, organized by the city’s Public Fire Brigade. Split long-distance swimmer Dina Levačić and Lea Ćaleta, a police officer from the Airport Police Station and associate professor Darko Hren from the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy in Split, swam from Kašjuni to Matejuška. Two necessary devices will be bought for KBC Split from the money collected in this humanitarian action.
After swimming, Dina Levačić said she was glad that Lea and Darko joined her. She noted that they started preparing for the race in the winter when the sea was colder, while today, the sea is 17 degrees.
“I hope we will encourage people to donate to this action because every kuna is welcome here,” Levačić said.
A traditional raffle will take place on the Riva at 5:30 pm with the performance of mixed klapa Filip Dević, conducted by Tonči Banov this year, followed by the Tamburitza Orchestra of the Folklore Ensemble Jedinstvo Split with guests from Varaždin – Varaždin Tamburitza Orchestra and Klapa HRM Sveti Juraj.
The concert “Sveti Duje moj” will be held at 9 pm with Klapa Cambi Kaštela, Goran Karan and Grupa Vagabundo. The fireworks start at 11 pm, followed by Teddi Spalato and the Goran Rukavina Orchestra.
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