Croatia: Spectacular Pride For Days Gone By – Vinkovci Autumns Folkloric Festival

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inavukic

October 23, 2013

The 48th Annual folkloric festival known as “Vinkovci Autumns” was held in September. Filled with beauty of folkloric dress, dance and music rarely found these days in the entire world. It ended on 15 September with the world’s biggest reel dance (Croatian reel or “kolo” in the Croatian language) in which 8,500 people took part! Wow!

The people of the town of Vinkovci often say: “Once you’ve been to the Vinkovci Autumns, you will always return!” Indeed, it is hard to resist the charms you are immersed in during those ten autumn days. The whole town and its visitors live for the songs and dancing. The Vinkovci Autumns is a folklore festival nurturing not only the tradition of Slavonia, but also other customs from across Croatia, thus celebrating the time of year when nature rewards our yearly efforts. The louder the singing and laughter the greater the gratitude of people for good crops – you are invited to join them and experience the atmosphere of times gone by.

Here are some scenes from this absolute beauty and determination to keep the traditions of days long gone by alive. Click on photos to enlarge and see the full splendour of gratitude for good farm harvests. Enjoy.

FOLLOWING ARE PHOTOS FROM VINKOVCI AUTUMNS 2013 BY GORDAN PANIC

Now, aren’t you glad you came!?

Croatia, Croatian Folklore, Vinkovacke jeseni, Vinkovci Autumns

31 responses to “Croatia: Spectacular Pride For Days Gone By – Vinkovci Autumns Folkloric Festival”

omtatjuan

October 23, 2013

Are Croats Slovic? A lot of the dresses look like Ukrainian in fashion.

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1. inavukic
  
  October 23, 2013
  
  Yes omtatjuan, Croats belong to the Slavic group of people
  
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Sunman

October 23, 2013

beautiful…beaming with pride.

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1. inavukic
  
  October 23, 2013
  
  I love it too, Sunman, thanks
  
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Eric Tonningsen

October 23, 2013

This sounds and looks to be an enjoyable event/tradition. Nice accompanying photos!

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1. inavukic
  
  October 23, 2013
  
  Thanks Eric, I am always fascinated by folklore costumes and how making and wearing them always shine with pride and joy. This event in Vinkovci is certainly very worth seeing… so if you’re trotting across Europe at some in the future in September… check out Vinkovci, usually second week of September 😀
  
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Nila Oreb

October 23, 2013

Wonderful photos. 🙂

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1. inavukic
  
  October 23, 2013
  
  Thanks Nila, I just couldn’t resist this, so beautiful and creative and happy
  
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Chasing the Donkey

October 23, 2013

Ohhh the colours in these photos are wonderful. I looks like a wonderful way to keep traditions alive.

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1. inavukic
  
  October 23, 2013
  
  Thank you Chasing the Donkey and many cheers 😀
  
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ahardrain

October 23, 2013

Looks like everyone was enjoying a great time 🙂 Thanks for sharing

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1. inavukic
  
  October 23, 2013
  
  Yes it does ahardrain – lots of fun, so nice to see
  
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jasna guy

October 24, 2013

After all those difficult, yet crucially important postings on the state of politics in Croatia, it is wonderful to witness another dimension– the beauty and spendour of Croatia’s cultural history, and moreover, to witness her people embracing their heritage with passion. Thank you for this joyous posting!

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1. inavukic
  
  October 24, 2013
  
  Thank you Jasna, yes it’s important to know that regardless of politics and difficulties there are great things that people themselves do and live.
  
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Our Adventure in Croatia

October 24, 2013

beautiful costumes and it is great to keep the old traditions alive for all to see, who otherwise would not know about it.

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1. inavukic
  
  October 24, 2013
  
  It’s such a joy to see, Our Adventure in Croatia, and such treasure to keep passing onto young generations, I agree totally – must say did the same within my family…
  
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Ruben Demirjian

October 24, 2013

Excelente amiga!!

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1. inavukic
  
  October 24, 2013
  
  Thank you Ruben – friend!
  
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Kat

October 24, 2013

I just love folk costumes! There’s something about them, about all the colours, the little details and intricacies and the meaning behind it all, that’s so beautiful. Thank you for sharing these photos, this is an event I definitely want to experience one day.

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1. inavukic
  
  October 24, 2013
  
  Thanks Kat. I remember the early nineties, war days, distress everywhere in Croatia, it was so important to keep Vinkovci Autumns going, so I and I imagine others in other countries found ways to raise funds to put the festival on … we printed calendars and sold them to raise funds for etc such a worthwhile endeavour
  
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  1. Kat
    
    October 24, 2013
    
    Yes, in such distressing times it is very important to keep the culture alive, to build hope and to, in its own way, remind people they are fighting for these beautiful traditions. If Croatians don’t keep their traditions alive, no one else will.
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    October 24, 2013
    
    So true, Kat
    
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IdealisticRebel

October 24, 2013

Reblogged this on idealisticrebel and commented:
A lovely photo. I am fascinated. Hugs, Barbra

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jalal michael sabbagh.http://gravatar.com/jmsabbagh86@gmail.com

October 24, 2013

Lovely and lively.

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1. inavukic
  
  October 25, 2013
  
  Thank you Jalal
  
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Aliosa

October 25, 2013

Buna dimineata

si o zi vesela !
In BARAJUL pentru calificarea la CM 2014 BRAZILIA,
SORTII au fost buni cu croatii si romanii !!!
CROATIA – ISLANDA
si
ROMANIA-GRECIA !!!
Forza CROATIA !
Forza ROMANIA !
Weekend placut !
Aliosa.

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1. inavukic
  
  October 25, 2013
  
  Google translate Aliosa comment:
  morning
  
  and one day dishes!
  Qualifying in the cup CM 2014 Brazil,
  Fate was kind to Croatia and Romania!
  CROATIA – ICELAND
  and
  ROMANIA GREECE!
  Forza CROATIA!
  Forza ROMANIA!
  Nice weekend!
  Aliosa
  
  REPLY: Thank you Aliosa, lovely music 😀
  
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Kev

October 25, 2013

I love the dancing…It’s nice to see people happy and enjoying themselves. 🙂

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1. inavukic
  
  October 25, 2013
  
  Me too Kev – thanks for comment
  
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succesulpe

October 26, 2013

Thank you Ina for your beautiful article.

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1. inavukic
  
  October 26, 2013
  
  Thank you succesulpe! My pleasure 😀
  
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I’m Ina

I was born in Croatia and live Australia. I have been described as a prominent figure known for my contribution to the Croatian and wider societies, particularly in the context of Croatia’s transition from communism to democracy, as well as for my many years of work as a clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of government-funded services for people with disabilities, including mental health services, in Australia. In 1995, the President of the Republic of Croatia awarded me two Medals of Honor, the Homeland War Memorial Medal and the Order of the Croatian Trefoil for her special merits and her contribution to the founding of the Republic of Croatia. I have been a successful blogger since 2011 and write extensively in the English-language on issues related to Croatian current affairs and democracy, as well as the challenges Croatia faced and still faces in its transition from communism. My goal is to raise awareness of these connections and issues worldwide.

Croatia, the War, and the Future