Croatian Folklore Tradition: KUD Seljačka Sloga named best at Vinkovačke jeseni 

(Photo: Vinkovačke jeseni)

KUD Seljačka Sloga from Gradište has won the folklore contest at the 58th Vinkovačke jeseni in Vinkovci, Croatia.

KUD Mijat Stojanović from Babina Grede was promoted to the second position due to Branimir from Bošnjaci exceeding the assigned time limit. The always brilliant folk dancers from KUD “Slavko Janković Rokovci-Andrijaševci” took third place, as reported by the Expert Evaluation Committee, consisting of Ms. Ljubica Gligorević, an ethnologist, Vido Bagur, a choreographer, and music educator Marinko Blažinkov, during the Round Table discussion.

The winning group showcased the authenticity of their Gradište.

“I’m still in shock. We didn’t expect it, even though this success is the result of year-long work and the culmination of this year’s 100th anniversary of our KUD Seljačka Sloga, which we will celebrate with the presentation of a Monograph on September 30th. Traditional dances and performances inspired by Gradište folklore were presented during our stage performance last night,” said President Ivan Kolik. The mature voices of the Men’s Choir, the mixed song “Urodila žuta Gunja,” along with solo and group dances like the “šokačko kolo,” “Kalendari,” and the spirited “bećarac” concluded our winning performance, prepared by around thirty members.

(Photo: Vinkovačke jeseni)

Throughout six Folklore Evenings within the allotted eight-minute time frame, 37 traditional groups, 7 choreographed ones, and the Association for Persons with Disabilities “Zrno” presented their performances. The judging was conducted by three experts, each specializing in their respective fields.

“It certainly wasn’t an easy task to judge. We were already thinking about how not to evaluate but rather to suggest certain aspects that we believe could be improved in the future, and we certainly applaud all their efforts,” emphasized the only lady highly esteemed in professional and folklore circles.

This year, there was a prevailing festive theme and atmosphere, based on the central motif of the opening ceremony, “Dva sjaja dukata” (Two Shining Ducats), as reported by Ms. Gligorević. Folklore groups enjoy the freedom to choose their themes, she explained, but given the many years on the judging panel, they spontaneously align with the opening theme, which becomes the motif for the entire event. Therefore, weddings, celebrations, preparing dowries for brides, and the giving of gifts to children, from birth to marriage, were prominently featured. 

(Photo: Vinkovačke jeseni)

However, some KUDs also showcased work attire related to traditional jobs, such as harvesting, selling handmade crafts at the market, or washing clothes by the Danube. It’s pleasantly surprising to see the connection between the younger and older generations, wherever possible, she added. Marinko Blažinkov takes care of folk singing and instrumental performances. The purity and precision of monophonic, polyphonic, or three-voice singing, as well as the authenticity of the traditional songs representing their places of origin, are the elements monitored by the music educator. 

Vido Bagur, a choreographer from Metković, an expert engaged throughout Croatia, especially at the International Folklore Festival as a kind of Croatian group selector, oversees the “dancing” in Šokadija, or traditional dances among our national minorities. The authenticity and precision of dance steps and dances specific to their places of origin are crucial for him, with the aim of eliminating influences from other regions, though it’s inevitable, as explained by Ms. Gligorević. 

She is responsible for traditional clothing, accompanying objects, dialectal speech, presenting snippets of life, traditional hairstyling, head coverings, and footwear. The harmony of authentic or traditional work and festive attire, as well as all visible variations on stage, is extremely important, she emphasized.

(Photo: Vinkovačke jeseni)

“We stress the importance of preserving authenticity in songs and dialectal speech. This is the last chance to preserve our heritage for the future,” she emphasized on behalf of the judging panel.

There are two evaluations provided – a professional evaluation and an overall impression. They consider the quality of the performance in general, including the overall stage presentation, appropriate entrance and exit from the stage, the ratio of male and female dancers, and anything they can observe within the given time frame, which most KUDs adhered to. Two KUDs exceeded the one-minute limit, but this was not tolerated to ensure fair treatment based on equal criteria for all.

“As an ethnologist, I give a lot of A grades in a professional sense, which is the highest grade in terms of overall impression. Maybe it’s easier for me, compared to my colleagues Marinko and Vido, because there is a high awareness of traditional costumes here after the Homeland War. There are individuals in our communities who take exceptional care of this,” the ethnologist highlighted the nuances in their judgments.

(Photo: Vinkovačke jeseni)

Singing is continuously improving, as seen in the Round Table discussions, and the same goes for dance steps specific to their regions. Music, on the other hand, faces a shortage of musicians, so some groups “borrow” players from each other, which the Committee tolerates given the circumstances of life. The emergence of traditional instruments is encouraging, and it was heard in several cases, including the “samica” and “gajde” (bagpipes), something that should be pursued more at the County Folklore Festival, she suggested. For the most successful groups, participating in the Vinkovačke jeseni, the most important event of the year, holds great significance.

(Photo: Vinkovačke jeseni)

The prize includes the opportunity to participate in the next opening ceremony, representing Vukovar-Srijem County at other prestigious folklore events, as well as documenting their success for the history of KUD. It’s certainly a motivating factor. It’s crucial to guide and educate the younger generation, who are learning about heritage they haven’t personally experienced, just like their parents, possibly only their grandparents, as noted.

“For us, as the judging panel, it’s extremely important to motivate the representatives who come to talk with us and listen to our suggestions. In today’s world, it’s essential to preserve our heritage in all aspects that make us unique worldwide,” concluded our ethnologist, Ljubica Gligorević, highly recognized in her field.

(Photo: Vinkovačke jeseni)

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that all lovers of Vinkovačke jeseni can attend the general rehearsal of the opening ceremony tonight on the central stage near the park, followed by a concert by Sinovi ravnice under the tent.

Alongside these events, until September 17th, the Croatian Philatelic Society Vinkovci has organized a display of 50 showcases with postage stamps related to birds, nature, sports, statehood, and scouting in the library, serving as a valuable source of knowledge.