July 10, 2019 – The Alka Days and Velika Gospa, an umbrella event that brings together a multitude of colorful and attractive content in the summer months, are always welcomed by the people of Sinj and their guests.
The organizers have made sure that the program abounds in variety and that everyone can easily find something to their liking: from concerts of contemporary and classical music, exhibitions, rock and ethnic festivals, creative workshops, and sports tournaments to Alkar ceremonies and church celebrations. The carefully crafted events combined with unparalleled ambient sounds guarantee unforgettable summer nights in the city under Kamičak.
The celebration begins already on July 12th in the main town square with the play ‘Alka’s Bride’, performed by the Sinj Amateur Theater. Before the official opening ceremony, a classical music concert will be held at the Church of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj. The award-winning young musicians including Martin Krpan (violin), Dunja Čolić (oboe), Ana Ivanov (violin), Iva Ilakovac (cello) and Mihovil Buturić (organ) will present an impressive program suitable for this sacral space with the sonatas of baroque composers like JS Bach, GF Händel , GP Telemann, as well as the rarely performed church sonatas by W.A. Mozart. It is a special musical treat by the modern composition of J. Prajza, written this year for this ensemble.
In a similar space, in the courtyard of Our Lady of the Monastery, the traditional festival of spiritual klapa songs will be held, titled ‘Klapa Gospi Sinjskoj’ on August 1st.
The musical evenings at the Kamičak Fortress are an exceptional musical event organized by the Sinj Tourist Board for many years and breathes new life to this fortress that watches over the ancient city. On August 17th, at 20:30, the ancient walls will feature notes of fantastic jazz music performed by renowned world performers – like Ratko Zjača – Stefano Bedetti and Nocturnal Four.
Kamičak will also host the Kamičak Ethno Festival on August 23rd and 24th, yet another splendid musical event with foreign and local performers. An exciting duo of the name of ‘Turica Doncel’ will come from Argentina, bringing with them the tastes of traditional Argentine folk, combined with contemporary musical expressions. Perká will travel from Macedonia and is a street performer who focuses on an authentic interpretation of the traditional rhythms of the Balkans, especially the folk sounds of Turkey, Bulgaria, and Macedonia. The Balkan music tradition will be presented by the beloved Belgrade composer Naked, and Croatia’s strength will be represented by the always splendid Ogenj and Kazan. English folk music group Patrick Walker Trio will play the rhythms of traditional Irish music.
In the Alkar courtyard on August 11th, the people of Sinj and their guests will enjoy the band ‘Legenda AR Tribute’, which was founded in Buenos Aires. They will present Croatian pop and melodic songs aiming to maintain the cultural roots of their ancestors who had to leave their beloved Croatia many years ago. The group has said that this trip to Croatia is a dream come true, because it enables them to play in the land of their ancestors.
The Summer Music School is held from July 8th to 20th and will gather many young musicians of all ages who have a precious opportunity to collaborate with well-known professors through a variety of professional approaches and educational methods.
The photo workshop ‘The World in Colors’ (August 30th – September 3rd), in conjunction with Foto Hrvatska and the Sinj Tourist Board, invites everyone interested in a challenge to take a new look at the well-known and unknown through the lens of a photographer.
For the history lovers, the Sinj Tourist Board and its associates are preparing the historic spectacle ‘Battle of Sinj 1715’ on August 8th. The battle focuses on an indispensable part of Sinj and Croatia’s past – the battle with the Ottomans, which spawned the Alka and the celebration of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj. The play acts as a compelling reminder of an event that happened over 300 years ago!
Even further in the past is the Delmatae and the Romans. Organized by the Association of Gaj Laberia, the angry foes will face one another on the football field under the watchful eye of Emperor Diocletian and Prisca. The result is less important, as . the only prize is glory (and the fact that football was first played in the Cetina region). The game will be held on July 28th.
The Sinj Air Show will be held at the Sinj sports airport Piket from August 30th to September 1st. The Air Show is organized by the Aeronautical-Technical Society of Sinj and the town of Sinj. The attractive adrenaline acrobatics always attract many visitors of all ages and fans of aeronautics.
Guests from Sansepolcro, Italy, a friend of Sinj, will arrive to present their traditional medieval archery giant Palio della Balestra on August 3rd.
From July 19th to 21st, organized by the Association SKUP, the 17th music and beer festival S.A.R.S. will be held, featuring performers of various musical styles like Vojko Vrućina, M.O.R.T., Grasse, Jufkamental, Limbonaut, Edo Maajka, Atheist Rap, Dregermajster, Heavy Feels, Tony Rose & The Band of Jakeys.
Dr. Franjo Tuđman Square is traditionally home to the Sinj Village Fair (August 2nd and 3rd), featuring numerous exhibitors presenting and offering ornaments, handicrafts, gourmet delicacies, and products from the villages and islands. In the hope of preserving old crafts threatened with extinction, the Sinj Tourist Board, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, is organizing an educational workshop of traditional handicrafts. Visitors will have an opportunity to see how clay pots are made under the hands of master Ivan Knezović, and learn about the almost forgotten skill of making opanaks, or traditional peasant shoes (Ljilja Vojković).
Visitors will be able to taste local products and dishes within the fair. Apart from the exhibition and wine and gastronomy area, visitors will also be able to enjoy an entertainment program featuring numerous associations and cultural and artistic companies. Thus, visitors will be able to catch the performances of the Sinj majorettes, KUD Cetina, KUD Vrilo, the Association for the Preservation of the Cetina Region Heritage, URIG from Otok and HKUD Peruća. Traditional folk dancing will be performed, as will traditional singing.
The Sinj Tourist Board also invites all interested local and foreign guests to join free tours every Thursday at 7 pm (from July 18th to August 29th) as an excellent opportunity to get to know the city under the guidance of professional tourist guides.
Be sure to visit the Alka racecourse in mid-July to watch the preparations for the highly anticipated event in August.
The crown of the events is undoubtedly the Alkar ceremony (Bara 02.08., Čoja 03.08., Alka 04.08.) and the Assumption, or Velika Gospa, the heavenly patron of Sinj.
The Sinj Tourist Board invites you to enjoy this stacked summer program!
You can find more information at the Sinj Tourist Board website.
To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
