Folklore, literature, spirituality and cooperation between the local community and the Croatian Heritage Foundation marked this year’s edition of the program, held as part of the Saint Elijah’s Day festivities.
The Croatian Heritage Foundation’s program called “Cultural and Religious Heritage of BiH Croats – Let’s Return Hope to the Native Land” was held this year in Stolac, a city with a rich history and a vibrant Croatian identity, connecting the celebration of the Day of the City, cultural and literary content and meetings that confirm the lasting connection of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the homeland and the Croatian diaspora.
Some cities tell their stories through stone, river and people. Stolac is one of them. The city on the banks of the Bregava River, surrounded by medieval necropolises, old bridges, and traces of countless civilizations, has once again become a meeting place for people, customs, and shared values in these July days. In the atmosphere of the “Ilindan” festivities, with which Stolac traditionally celebrates the feast of its patron saint, St. Elijah the Prophet and the Day of the City, held was this year’s CHF program, “Cultural and Religious Heritage of BiH Croats – Restoring Hope to the Native Land”, one of the CHF’s most important programs of support to Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The program, which is held every year in a different location, has been connecting Croats in the homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Croatian diaspora for years. After Zagreb, Sarajevo, Jajce, Livno, Rama, Plehan and Guča Gora, this year, the host was Stolac – a city that, with its history, cultural heritage and hospitality, provided a worthy framework for the gathering dedicated to the preservation of Croatian cultural, religious and national identity.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE DAY OF THE CITY OF STOLAC
The program began with the participation of the delegation of the Croatian Heritage Foundation in the celebration of the Day of the City of Stolac. Representing the CHF were Ivana Rora, Deputy Director; Snježana Radoš, member of the Management Board; and Anita Bračić, project manager.
Alongside representatives of state, county, and local authorities, veterans’ associations, cultural and social institutions, and numerous citizens, a delegation from the Croatian Heritage Foundation paid tribute to the fallen HVO veterans at the memorial in the city center by laying wreaths, lighting candles, and offering a prayer led by parish priest Father Gordan Božić.
That evening, in the unique ambiance of the UNESCO-protected necropolis of stećak tombstones of Radimlja, a gala reception was held on the occasion of the Day of the City of Stolac. On this occasion, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the Croatian Heritage Foundation and the City of Stolac.
– Gala reception on the occasion of the Day of the City of Stolac at the necropolis of stećak tombstones of Radimlja
BOOK AS A TESTIMONY OF FAITH AND NATIVE LAND
In the crowded Sarsenterum Spiritual and Cultural Center, the first book of Stolac resident Dragica Raguž, “Anđele Božji, čuvaru mili” (Angel of God, Guardian of Love), was presented.
The crowd was addressed at the beginning by the President of the Matrix Croatica Branch Office of Stolac, Dr. Mladen Bošković, while the book was presented by Ivo Raguž and Prof. Ilija Drmić, emphasizing that Stolac has received a new author whose literary debut is imbued with faith, family values, and love for her native land.
– Presentation of the book by Dragica Raguž at Sarsenterum Spiritual and Cultural Center
A particularly moving moment that evening was the reading of the emotional story of Marko and Pero, a testimony of faith, loyalty and life perseverance, while the musical atmosphere was complemented by the female vocal ensemble “Vidostačka Kraljica”. The evening once again showed that a people’s identity is preserved not only by large events, but also by quiet, personal stories that remain permanently recorded.
EVENING OF FOLKLORE – CELEBRATION OF HERITAGE AND TOGETHERNESS
Within the program of the Cultural and Religious Heritage of BiH Croats, under the motto “Returning Hope to the Native Land”, the Evening of Folklore was held in Stolac, one of the most important cultural events of the “Ilinden” festivities, in cooperation with the Stolac Folklore Ensemble and the Župa Stolac parish, as well as with the support of the Stolac City Administration and the Government of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
The program began with a mass celebration in the parish church of St. Elijah the Prophet, with a sermon by Fr. Mate Galić. Mass was followed by a parade of participants to the stage in the church courtyard, where, as part of the program, the Evening of Folklore was held in Stolac.
– Mass in the parish church of St. Elijah the Prophet in Stolac
The participants were addressed by Žana Ćorić, Ex Officio Advisor for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Central State Office for Croats Abroad; Ivana Rora, Deputy Director of the Croatian Heritage Foundation; Stjepan Bošković, Mayor of the City of Stolac; and Stolac parish priest Fr. Gordan Božić.
“Returning hope to the native land…. It’s so emotional, powerful, intelligent. But significant effort is needed. Success requires hard work; it takes what needs to be done every single day, or at least once a week throughout the year, to reach this level of performance. That is why, obviously, there are those here who have tried to restore hope to their native land and so that we can rejoice together this evening,” said Fr. Gordan Božić, who declared the event open.
“Tonight we are gathered by the strong and emotional motto ‘Returning hope to the native land’. This was also the case at the first event held in 2018 in Zagreb. The man behind the concept and the initiator was the late Fr. Stipo Karajica, in whose honor the event is still held today as a permanent memorial to his tireless work. His vision lives on through the unity we share in this program, which is implemented and will continue to be implemented by the Croatian Heritage Foundation with the aim of strengthening its activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” emphasized Ivana Rora.
The stage was then presented by the hosts Stolac Folklore Ensemble, as well as Domanovići Folklore Ensemble, Dubrave – Aladinići Folklore Ensemble, Luke Folklore Ensemble, Rotimlja Folklore Ensemble, Naši korijeni iz Bobanova Sela Folklore Ensemble, Brotnjo Folklore Ensemble from Čitluk, Bura Ethno Group from Aladinići and Klapa Lakrima from Mostar. Each group presented the rich tradition of its region with song, dance, and folk costumes, confirming that Herzegovina’s cultural heritage is still alive, strong, and being passed on from generation to generation.
– Seven folklore ensembles from Herzegovina and two “klapa” groups performed as part of the program
After the official program, the socializing continued with music and togetherness, in the atmosphere that best showed the meaning of this event – connecting people, preserving heritage and strengthening the sense of belonging.
BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS
Over the years, the program “Cultural and Religious Heritage of BiH Croats – Returning Hope to the Native Land” has outgrown the framework of a cultural event. It has become a meeting place of people, ideas and shared responsibility for the preservation of Croatian identity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through meetings, conversations, cultural content and joint prayer, it confirms that Croatian heritage is not only a valuable legacy of the past, but also the foundation of the future.
This year’s edition in Stolac once again demonstrated how important it is to build partnerships between local communities, cultural institutions and institutions of the Republic of Croatia and to nurture connections with Croats outside Croatia. It is precisely in such encounters that the most valuable element arises – the feeling that, despite the distances and challenges, the Croatian people remain connected by a common history, culture, faith and responsibility towards their native land.
At the end of the program, the Croatian Heritage Foundation expressed its sincere gratitude to the City of Stolac, Mayor Stjepan Bošković, employees of the City Administration, Stolac Folklore Ensemble, Parish of St. Elijah the Prophet and all men and women from Stolac for their cordial hospitality, partnership and dedicated engagement in the organization of this year’s program.
Text: CHF / Photo: City of Stolac and CHF
