A Stroll with the Klapa: Unique walking tour launches on Croatian coast

by croatiaweek
June 29, 2024
in News

(Photo: Klapa Bunari)

The renowned and successful klapa group ‘Bunari’ from the Croatian coastal town of Vodice has launched a unique tourist project called ‘U đir s klapom!’ (A Stroll with the Klapa!).

Klapa is a traditional form of a cappella singing originating from Dalmatia, characterised by harmonious, multi-voiced songs typically performed by male vocal groups, and has been recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

‘U đir s klapom!’ is a guided walking tour that presents the rich historical and cultural heritage of Vodice, the county, and Croatia in an original and unique way.

(Photo: Klapa Bunari)

The klapa tour project is designed as a walking tour led by the entire klapa, where participants will learn about the history of the klapa and the town of Vodice at various attractive locations, accompanied by selected a cappella and instrumental pieces.

For example, at the wellhead, they will hear the anthem of Vodice, “Voda je gradu podarila ime” (“Water Gave the Town Its Name”), in front of the parish church, they will listen to ancient folk songs, in the narrow streets, they will experience “sotto voce” singing, and under the windows of old houses, participants will enjoy serenades with which klapa members have won the hearts of their chosen ones.

(Photo: Klapa Bunari)

An interesting aspect of the tour is its authenticity, as it is led by Klapa Bunari, whose origins are linked to all the locations, adding a special dimension to the event.

From these beginnings, full of youthful enthusiasm, Klapa Bunari has grown into a more serious endeavour, now celebrating twenty years of activity, with numerous valuable performances and awards at various festivals.

(Photo: Klapa Bunari)

The fact that this tour features a cappella klapa singing, which has been on UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage since 2012, adds further value to this original project, said Marko Juričev Martinčev, a member of klapa ‘Bunari’.