Croatians in Western Australia celebrate Velika Gospa

by croatiaweek
August 23, 2022
in Entertainment

Croatians in Westerrn Australia celebrate Velika Gospa

Croatians in Western Australia celebrate Velika Gospa (Photo: Private album)

By Julija Frankovic

Velika Gospa – The Assumption of the Virgin Mary – is one of the biggest days on the religious calendar and is celebrated by Croatians all over the world.

On Saturday, August 20, 2022, HFG “Zagreb” from Western Australia prepared a dinner and party on the occasion at the Croatian Centre “North Fremantle”.

Around 300 visitors attended the party, and the hall was filled with small children, young people and people in their advanced years, who were entertained throughout the night.

HFG “Zagreb” prepared a programme that impressed everyone present. The host was Ivana Marjanovic, who announced every performance of the evening in a wonderful way.

(Photo: Private album)

Songs were sung in honor of our Virgin Mary and carols were played from many areas of our homeland, Croatia. The performances of our youngest folklorists, as always, brought tears of joy to many present and the pride of all of us was felt through the premises of our centre.

(Photo: Private album)

The youngest group “Zagreb” performed dances from Slavonia, the middle group of younger members performed dances from Međimurje and the middle group of older children performed dances from Prigorje. It was beautiful to see proud parents, grandparents and everyone present.

(Photo: Private album

(Photo: Private album)

The final dance from the area of Posavina was performed by the oldest group HFG “Zagreb”, the dance evoked great applause in the hall.

(Photo: Private album)

Among those present were our dear guests, Reverend Nikola Cabraja who blessed the food before the meal, as well as Croatian Consul Mr. Zoran Sangut with his family and Vice Consul Mr. Ivor Condic.

(Photo: Private album)

The rich dinner was prepared by the cooks of the Croatian Centre “North Fremantle”, teta Ljerka Muzinic, teta Anica Beretovac and teta Ljubica Beretovac, with the help of Zlatko Beretovac and Alan Tomic, who worked tirelessly in the kitchen. A big thank you from the bottom of my heart.

(Photo: Private album)

After the performance of the programme, the band “Laganini” led us with its beautiful repertoire. Band members Stanko Panic, Raymond Pecotic and Denis Padovan got everyone on their feet; there was singing and dancing and the party continued late into the night.

(Photo: Private album)

HFG “Zagreb” once again did an excellent job in preparing this party. The Feast of the Assumption is one of the most significant holidays celebrated by Croats in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and all over the world, wherever Croatian people live. So we decided to mark this special holiday in a special light in the Croatian community of Perth this year.

(Photo: Private album)

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for visiting. Thank you to our folklorists of HFG “Zagreb” who, under the firm hand, tireless leadership and noble heart of the leader of the folklore group Zrinka Vlasic, with the help of teachers Gordana Sliskovic and Anita Cudina, lead “Zagreb” to successful and unforgettable performances.

(Photo: Private album)

From the bottom of my heart, I thank the management of HFG “Zagreb” who work and contribute to ensure that everything is flawlessly organised and that everything functions in the best order.