In addition to the hosts, St. George Adult Tumburitzans Cokeburg, the following groups also performed: Veseljaci Adult Tamburitzans Farrell, Ansambl Sveti Nikola Aliquippa, Penn-Sembles Adult Tamburitzans Versailles, Keystone Adult Tamburitzans Pittsburgh, Ensemble Hrvatski Dom Rankin, Sacred Heart Tamburitza Ensemble McKeesport, Sevdah Conway and young, recently founded tamburitza ensemble Svemir (“Space”) along with the soloist Mark Koches. The program was led by the music director of St. George tamburitza ensemble, Marlene Luketich-Kochis
Back in 1992, the late President of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America, Bernard M. Luketich, and his associates launched a cultural event here in southwest Pennsylvania. It was noted that the St. Juraj Croatian community center in Cokeburg, a former mining town, lacked winter activities. Therefore, it was decided that the Fraternal Union of America – 354 Lodge St George – should lead and launch a cultural celebration for its tamburitza players of the junior and adult tamburitza ensemble. These ensembles travel throughout the year all over America and Canada, forming many friendships and making connections with many other folklore ensembles, therefore, it felt like the right thing to do was to invite them as guests.
The idea was fleshed out and it proved to be a success. During these 27 years, many tamburitza and folklore ensembles have been here as guests — sometimes even thirteen of them at the same time. Velika fešta was opened on March 28, at exactly 1 pm, by the hosts — St. George Adult Tamburitza Ensemble https://web.facebook.com/StGeorge354/ — followed by an already prepared program. The performed program of each group was ‘moved’ to the lower hall to entertain the present audience. The program of each tamburitza ensemble usually lasts 20 minutes, resulting in the ‘sounds of the tamburitza’ and Croatian songs continuing well into the night.
The entertainment is provided by orchestras, usually by the two of them, which entertain guests on the ground floor and first floor. Of course, with good music and open bars, with one in each hall, and good cuisine, the fun never stops. This year, Croatian cuisine abounded with grilled kebabs, ajvar, and Croatian potato salad, which has, along with grilled lamb, recently become a hit for our Americans of Croatian descent.
At this year’s festival, in addition to the hosts, St. George Adult Tumburitzans Cokeburg, the performing ensembles were: Veseljaci Adult Tamburitzans Farrell, Ansambl Sveti Nikola Aliquippa, Penn-Sembles Adult Tamburitzans Versailles, Keystone Adult Tamburitzans Pittsburgh, Ensemble Hrvatski Dom Rankin, Sacred Heart Tamburitza Ensemble McKeesport, Sevdah Conway, and a young, recently founded tamburitza ensemble Svemir (“Space”) along with the soloist Mark Koches. The program was led by the music director of the St. George tamburitza ensemble, Marlene Luketich-Kochis. The National President of the Croatian Fraternal Union in America, Edward W. Pazo, greeted those present with a few words. The famous Zabava (“Fun”) band played for fun, dance, and kolo.
Text: Franjo Bertović Photos: Ivan Begg