One of Dubrovnik’s best-loved traditional groups is set to hit the big screen on January 30, 2018, with the screening of ‘Dubrovnik Trombunjeri: Faith, Pride and Tradition.’ Watch the trailer here.
When is the best time to visit Dubrovnik?
Part of the answer depends on what type of holiday you are looking for, but for a combination of tradition, lack of tourists and spectacular events, the annual celebration of patron saint St Blaise (Sv Vlaho) in the first week of February is hard to beat. The entire city and extended families come together to honour the protector of the Pearl of the Adriatic, and it remains one of the outstanding cultural experiences of my time in Croatia – here is part of TCN’s coverage from my visit last year.
One of the undoubted stars of the St. Blaise celebrations (and many other traditional events in the city) are the popular Trombunjeir, whose processions and discharging of traditional firearms are an established and integral part of Dubrovnik’s history. Lauren wrote an excellent introduction to the Trombunjeri last year:
The Trombunjeri are a historical military formation and unit, armed with specific firearms known as ”trombuni”. They are a key part of all significant events held in Dubrovnik and also in other parts of Croatia, participating in events like Varazdin’s Spancirfest and in the parade of the celebration of the Day of Pozega as recently as 2016. But their most important and well-known role is unarguably the place they take during the festivity of Saint Blaise and the Day of the City of Dubrovnik. The Trombunjeri have made their mark as the heartbeat and the lungs of all major happenings in the area for longer than living memory can speak of. Founded in the year 1417, the Trombunjeri are responsible for guiding the procession of celebrants which marches through the Old City, their presence immediately turning the clock back through history, delighting locals and visitors alike. The Commander is Stjepan Masle, the secretary is Ivan Grbic, the current actual President is Tomislav Macan, and Perennial President of the Musketeers (Visegodisnji Predsjednik Trombunjera) is Antun Knego, who is also a knight of the European Order of Saint Sebastian. The Trombunjeri themselves have belonged to the Union of Historical Units of the Croatian Army and historical forces of Europe since the year 2005.
During the Croatian War of Independence, the situation in Dubrovnik was far from stable, meaning the traditional firing of the guns could not take place for fear of being misinterpreted as hostile, instead, in 1992 the procession was led with olive branches placed inside the rifle barrels in a distinct sign of the advocation of peace. The Trombunjeri are not permitted to actively use firearms inside the walls, and begin by firing in salute on Brsalje (Pile), at the western entrance to the Old City in the early morning of February the 3rd. Originally, the present day Brsalje street was where the shooting of cannons, rifles and other weaponry was practiced, used to create substantial noise and intimidate enemies of Dubrovnik during the time of the Autonomous Republic.
The Trombunjeri are wildly popular and have around 25 gigs all over the country each year, 15 of which are in Dubrovnik, with the remaining 10 taking them to other cities in which they are part of parades and pilgrimages.
Loved by all and holding a more than special place in the hearts of locals, the spirited Trombunjeri, made up of 55 active members, are an integral part of the culture and indeed the identity of the eternally unique City of Dubrovnik.
Learn more about the Dubrovnik Trombunjeri here.
A new documentary film about the Trombunjeri is due to premiere on January 30, ahead of the St. Blaise anniversary, at 19:30 at Dvorani Ivana Pavla II. if it is as good as the trailer below, it is well worth seeing.
