How people from Dubrovnik living in America celebrated Feast of Sv. Vlaho across the country
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photos: Ane Strazicic Rodriguez/Libertas Foundation/Luko Simlesa)
The Feast of Sv. Vlaho, the patron saint of the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, was celebrated for the 1,051st year in row last week.
The people of Dubrovnik, regardless of which part of the world life has taken them to, will worship and celebrate their Sv. Vlaho, because for them the festival means freedom and independence, love for their city and the entire area of Dubrovnik and their homeland, Croatia.
It was no different again this year.
New York
(Photo: Ane Strazicic Rodriguez)
In New York, the Fest Sv. Vlaho, organized by Club Dubrovnik Inc NY, was celebrated on January 28 in the wonderful Restaurant Dubrovnik, owned by Željko Tomić, a native of Lopud.
(Photo: Ane Strazicic Rodriguez)
Along with dubrovačke pjatance that can only be found in Restaurant Dubrovnik, the guests were entertained by popular singer-songwriters Srđan & Vukan.
(Photo: Luko Simlesa)
(Photo: Luko Simlesa)
With the anthem of Sv. Vlaho and Gundulić’s anthem of freedom with which the Feast of Sv. Vlaho traditionally opens, Dubrovnik serenades were also sung, and there was dancing and singing until late in the night.
(Photo: Ane Strazicic Rodriguez)
(Photo: Luko Simlesa)
It should be especially emphasized that there were also 9 former Festanjuli at the dinner who greeted those present and thanked everyone who came to celebrate this special day that comes once a year.
(Photo: Luko Simlesa)
Silicon Valley
(Photo: Campbell)
The Feast of Sv. Vlaho was held on January 28, 2023 in Campbell, Silicon Valley, which is located between San Francisco and Watsonville, where most of the people from Dubrovnik live. This is tradition which has continued since 1926.
In front of over 300 guests, the party was celebrated with tambura musicians from Varaždin who adapted their repertoire to the festival with the sounds of the best troubadour songs. The anthem of freedom was also heard, and Mr. Mato Kusalo led the Linđo and Mr. Jakov Laptalo delighted with the lyre and got both young and old into dancing the kolo.
“In what was a pleasant homely atmosphere, guest celebrated until late into the night. Francesko Kristovic and his family were most deserving of another excellent organization of the festival.
San Pedro
The Feast of Sv. Vlaho in San Pedro was organized by the Libertas Foundation on Sunday, February 5 in the Croatian Home, where there were about a hundred guests who came to celebrate their patron saint, the protector of Dubrovnik.
(Photo: Libertas Foundation)
The Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Los Angeles, Renee Pea, and priest Fr Ivan Gerovac were present at the Festa. Homemade spenza was served, as well as green menestra, šporki makaruli and rozata. A pleasant atmosphere was ensured by Petra Tulic, who, along with the anthem of Sv. Vlaho had melodies from the Dubrovnik region on her repertoire.
(Photo: Ane Strazicic Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Strazicic Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Strazicic Rodriguez)
Chicago
(Photo: Mare Romanovic)
The St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church in Chicago held celebrations for Sv.Vlaho on 29 January with a holy mass and and a festive dinner was held on the saint’s day, ob February 3.
Fr. Ivica Petanjak, bishop of Krk, greeted over a hundred guests and blessed the dinner. Celebrations lasted well into the night.
The celebrations of the Feast of Sv.Vlaho in America was closed in New York on Sunday, 5 February with a mass in honour of the patron saint at the Catholic Church of Sts. Cyril & Methodius and St. Raphael in Manhattan.
After the mass in the Croatian Center, there was the premiere of the HRT documentary film ”ANE MLJEĆKA” – promotion of the Croatian traditional way of life on the Adriatic – Cultural heritage and natural beauty of the island of Mljet.
(Photo: Luko Simlesa)
(Photo: Luko Simlesa)
(Photo: Luko Simlesa)
Along with Gundulić’s anthem of freedom, Ana Mljećka (Ane Strazicic Rodriguez) thanked everyone present and toasted Sv. Vlaho, “who protects both on land and at sea and in America, our new homeland. Long live Sv. Vlaho!”
