Linđo brings tradition to life in Dubrovnik

by croatiaweek
August 23, 2024
in Entertainment

(Photo: Dubrovnik Summer Festival)

By Ane Strazicic Rodriguez

On the world’s most beautiful stage, in front of Dubrovnik Cathedral, the Linđo Folklore Ensemble performed this past Wednesday evening as part of the 75th Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

The Dubrovnik Summer Festival is a cultural event founded in 1950. Held from 10th July to 25th August, it takes place in the unique setting of Dubrovnik, a city known for its Gothic,

Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Various venues, such as the Rector’s Palace, Lovrjenac Fortress, Minčeta Fortress, Revelin Fortress, Lokrum Island, Gundulić Square, and the Park of the Art School, host numerous music, theatre, and dance performances, as well as exhibitions and accompanying events.

(Photo: Dubrovnik Summer Festival)

This is one of Croatia’s most prestigious summer festivals of its kind, featuring performances by many of Croatia’s leading theatrical and musical artists, as well as distinguished international ensembles, soloists, and renowned troupes.

Since its inception in 1950, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival has been an integral part of Dubrovnik’s cultural history and has now become a recognised part of the city’s identity.

(Photo: Dubrovnik Summer Festival)

With a rich programme featuring both local and internationally established artists, actors, and musicians, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival holds a leading position among Croatian festivals.

Since 1954, there has been a more systematic focus on the music component of the festival, and by 1956, the festival leadership recognised the need to establish a folklore ensemble.

This ensemble would not only enrich the festival’s programme but also enhance the tourist offer while bringing together young people to cultivate healthy habits and deepen their understanding of the country’s folkloric heritage.

The Linđo Folklore Ensemble has been an essential part of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival programme since 1967.

(Photo: Dubrovnik Summer Festival)

Its traditional festival performances, which celebrate and preserve the richness of Croatia’s intangible heritage, are always eagerly attended by both international and local audiences. In tomorrow’s performance, the Linđo dancers will showcase the beauty of Croatia’s diverse folklore through music and dance.

The programme includes, among other pieces, the most awarded Croatian folklore choreography of all time, ‘Podravski svati’, ‘Posavina’ by Dr Ivan Ivančan, and ‘Vrličko kolo’ by Prof. Zvonimir Ljevaković, founder of the Lado Ensemble.

The programme also features ‘Zdravi bili ded i baka’, a composition by Emil Cossetto, as well as a Baranja set including ‘Alaj fino to baranjsko vino’ and ‘Baranjsko kolo na brzo’.

(Photo: Dubrovnik Summer Festival)

Founded in 1965, the Linđo Folklore Ensemble is today a cultural institution of the City of Dubrovnik. The ensemble is named after the beloved and most famous traditional dance of the Dubrovnik coast, Župa, and Konavle regions.

The Linđo dance, alongside the Feast of St Blaise, the Dubrovnik dialect, the art of making Konavle embroidery, klapa singing, the silent kolo dance of the Dalmatian hinterland, the bećarac song form, the Međimurje folk song, and many other cultural assets from various parts of Croatia, is listed as a protected intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia.

The ensemble has received numerous awards and accolades. Since 1967, it has regularly performed at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and has successfully promoted the names of Dubrovnik and Croatia during numerous tours in Croatia and abroad.

(Photo: Ane Strazicic Rodriguez)

As with every Linđo performance, this one was magnificent. Everyone present, including myself and my friends (Maja, Iskra, and Marina), was thrilled by the performance.

They showcased the richness of Croatian cultural heritage, something we can all be proud of. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Linđo Folklore Ensemble and its director, Vlaho Kljunak, who shared the exciting news of Linđo’s upcoming tour to America in the second half of November this year.