Carnival in Sinj is right around the corner….
On Saturday, February 25, the city of Sinj and the Tourist Board of Sinj will host the third Festival Mačkara (Carnival) in the Cetina region.
For the third time, the town of Sinj will become the center for the annual carnival processions “Mačkara”, while long-standing traditions in the villages under Kamešnica are the best promoters and guardians of the traditional carnival customs in the Cetina region. The annual carnival procession in these villages is also on the list of protected intangible and cultural heritage of Croatia.
Source: Nikola Belančić
The traditional carnival is attended by many participants and groups whose comical and witty stage presence serve to complement and enrich the overall procession.
One of the highlights of the carnival is the traditional parade “Dida which is interesting due to its strict rules of conduct which demonstrate the strength, endurance and preservation of native traditions. During the parade, participants wear sheep “mišina” (pictured below) of up to 1.5 meters on their heads along with waist bells and clothes sewn with multicolored fringe.
Otherwise, the carnival customs in the Cetina region are similar to those existing in other parts of Croatia and Europe, and they embody the ritual struggle of good spirits in the winter.
Source: Nikola Belančić
In this year’s parade, the traditional “mačkare” settlements of Neorić and Sutina will participate, including carnival groups from 20 settlements throughout the Cetina region. The parade route will begin at 15:00, and the route in Sinj follows: NK Junak – Put Šumarije – Put Piketa – Ulica Miljenka Buljana to the bus station – Put Ferate – Ulica Kneza Branimir – Brnaška ulica to Trg Kralja Tomislava.
The highlight of the event is scheduled at the Sinj Pijaca and the program will last from 15:30 to 18:00, which will be followed by an entertainment program.
