The seventh Cultural and Religious Heritage of BiH Croats event under the motto Vratimo nadu zavičaju (Let’s Restore Hope to the Homeland) was held on May 17 in the Guča Gora Franciscan Monastery in BiH
On that day, the monastery courtyard turned white from the rich folk costumes that gathered for this cultural and religious event organized by the Guča Gora Franciscan Monastery and the Croatian Heritage Foundation from Zagreb.
The program began with a holy mass led by the abbot Davor Petrović, followed by a parade of the participants and then performances in the monastery church. Alternating in front of a crowded church of locals and guests were the pleasant voices of the group Lašvanske dive, members of IFG Sloga from Guča Gora, IFD Paklarevo, PS Krčevljani and KD Hrvatska žena from Vitez. The sounds and sights on that day touched all of those in attendance, especially the kolo dance in the cloister of the monastery, where the youngest members of IFD Paklarevo received the loudest applause.
“This event is organized with the aim of connecting Croats in BiH, the Republic of Croatia and beyond. The goals of this valuable event are presenting the mutual traditions, culture and costumes, improving the cultural, educational, economic, social and other life occupations of displaced Croats from BiH, as well as providing support to Croats in BiH, especially strengthening and preserving national, religious and cultural identity. Thus far, the program has been held in Zagreb, Jajce, Livno, Sarajevo, Rama-Šćit and Plehan,” said Mijo Marić, CHF Director, who remembered with strong emotions Fr. Stipo Karajica, the conceptual founder of this program.
Mijo Marić, CHF Director
