Mrkopalj on Saturday, October 18, 2025, will turn into a large center of music, prayer, and charity. In the parish church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows in Mrkopalj at 6:00 PM, a charity Concert for Peace will be held, a musical and spiritual event aimed at gathering the community around a simple but powerful message – to ask for peace and help children affected by wars and crises. A complete spiritual program is planned before the concert: a joint prayer at St. Philip and a procession towards the church at 4:30 PM, followed by a holy mass at 5:00 PM. Due to the limited number of seats, the organizers ask that you confirm your attendance by October 15, 2025, to the email address tic.mrkopalj@gmail.com.

Towards peace with music and prayer: what awaits us in the BVM of Sorrows church

The program is designed as a combination of top-notch musical performances and joint prayer. On the stage in front of the altar, renowned musicians and vocal ensembles will perform a selection from the rich heritage of sacred music. The audience will hear inspiring chants and well-known works that belong to the tradition of Western spiritual music, but also several contemporary compositions. A special moment of the evening will be the premiere of the new composition „Dona pacem“, written in response to the call for a joint prayer for peace during October. This is a composition that places the plea „grant us peace“ at its center and connects to the centuries-old Christian liturgical tradition of the invocation „Dona nobis pacem“ from the part of the mass known as the Agnus Dei – the invocation to the Lamb of God to grant peace to the community gathered for the celebration of the Eucharist. This prayer verse has historically inspired a series of authors, from simple canons to larger vocal-orchestral opuses, and has also remained a recognizable bridge between music and prayer that today regains its fullness of meaning.

The composition „Dona pacem“ was created with a clear intention – to gather thoughts, express gratitude, and offer an ardent prayer for all those affected by war and violence, especially for children. The text is written in simple Latin that connects communities around the world and allows the message of serenity and hope to be equally understandable to different generations and cultures. The musical blocks of the composition alternate meditative sections with rhythmic accents suitable for joint singing, which is why the audience will be invited to actively participate at several moments. This turns the performance itself into a shared experience – into a prayer in which everyone recognizes themselves and to which everyone can contribute with their own voice.

The organizers also announced the performance of selected Croatian and world sacred works that the audience loves to listen to at concerts in church spaces. The repertoire is designed to gradually build the spiritual arc of the evening: from the silence before the celebration, through powerful choral moments and solo expressions, to the final joint singing. The acoustics of the BVM of Sorrows church in Mrkopalj will allow for a full sound experience that such music requires, and the intimate space and closeness of the performers will create a special sense of community.

Schedule: steps that lead to the evening concert

• 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: viewing of the tie exhibition in the Municipal Hall – a collection of about 700 pieces, with special exhibits from the legacies of our prominent musicians.


• 4:30 PM: joint prayer at St. Philip and procession to the BVM of Sorrows church.


• 5:00 PM: holy mass in the parish church.


• 6:00 PM: start of the charity Concert for Peace with the premiere of the composition „Dona pacem“.

We note that the number of seats in the church is limited and it is advisable to arrive early. For all those traveling to Mrkopalj from other parts of Croatia, we provide useful information on arrival, accommodation, and additional content below.

The tie as a Croatian symbol and a rich exhibition in the town center

On the same day, a unique exhibition of about 700 ties will be opened in the Municipal Hall. The exhibition follows the development and stylistic diversity of the tie, from classic to modern cuts, and tells the story of the Croatian contribution to global clothing culture. A special curiosity are the ties from the legacies of Oliver Dragojević, members of Parni valjak, and other public figures, which turns the collection into a cross-section of popular music history.

The tie is deeply rooted in Croatian cultural identity, and October 18 – the same day the concert is held – is celebrated as World Tie Day. The commemoration encourages awareness of the historical role of Croatian troops in the 17th century, who with their distinctive scarves around their necks inspired European fashion and left a mark that we still recognize today. Tie Day across Croatia is accompanied by exhibitions, workshops, and symbolic dressing of monuments in red ties, confirming that from one detail of clothing, a strong story about identity and festive culture developed.

For visitors planning a longer stay in Mrkopalj, the exhibition is an excellent opportunity to start the day in the town center, and then walk to the church. During the break until the concert, we recommend a short walk through the Gorski kotar landscape – forest trails and with views of Čelimbaša – and tasting local dishes in nearby restaurants. If you need ideas on where to spend the night, click on our guide for accommodation in Mrkopalj.

Charitable note: how to help children affected by war

The humanitarian character of the concert is aimed at collecting aid for children living in war and crisis-affected areas. The organizers invite visitors to donate, according to their means, through UNICEF – an international organization that, in partnership with local communities, provides drinking water, food, healthcare, psychosocial support, and education to the most vulnerable children. Donations can be paid on the UNICEF Croatia website or by direct payment to their account; the fastest way is through the official donation platform where it is possible to choose a one-time or monthly support, and it is also possible to contact the UNICEF Croatia office for additional information and donation confirmations.

In the latest appeals for help, it was also emphasized that citizens can donate by paying to the IBAN that UNICEF Croatia publicly publishes, with the model and call number, and by scanning the 2D barcode published in campaigns. Such channels enable transparency and security of payment, and the collected funds are directed to where they are most needed, for example, to children in Gaza and other crisis hotspots.

Donation boxes will also be placed at the concert itself. If you are planning a trip to Mrkopalj and want to combine a cultural experience with a donation, we recommend that you decide in advance on the amount you wish to set aside; in this way, you will facilitate the flow of fundraising.

Why „Dona pacem“: a brief musical-liturgical note

The Latin invocation Dona nobis pacem – „Grant us peace“ – has been sung for centuries at the end of the Agnus Dei, the part of the Roman mass that the community sings or prays just before communion. This plea, with a simple text and a powerful message, has inspired countless female and male authors, from anonymous composers of popular piety to those whose works today fill concert halls. The traditional three-part canon „Dona nobis pacem“ is well-known, whose motifs are easy to remember and allow singers and the audience to jointly create a circling of voice in space. In the 20th century, the expression also served as inspiration for larger works, including the famous cantata that focused on hope and the invocation of peace.

The new composition „Dona pacem“ continues this series. In the text, it addresses God as a Good Father and asks him to protect the just and the weak, to grant progress, security, and harmony to communities, to teach people to love freedom and their neighbors, and to fill hearts with gentleness and goodness. The composition is conceived so that both musicians and the community can sing it: the chorus repeats, and the parts that invoke peace are built in layers, as if a unique prayer emerges from the community.

October is traditionally dedicated to the rosary in the Catholic Church, and throughout parishes in this month, peace and reconciliation are regularly contemplated. This year, the calls for daily rosary prayer for peace have been additionally emphasized, so the concert itself is in harmony with such a mood in the Church. In many communities during October, the faithful gather and pray the rosary for various intentions – from new spiritual vocations, through families, to world peace – thereby jointly raising an ardent prayer.

Mrkopalj – a Gorski kotar town with open doors for culture, pilgrimage, and hikers

Located in the heart of Gorski kotar, Mrkopalj is a mountain municipality recognizable by its clean air, winter vistas, forests, and trails that entice hikers in the summer and recreational skiers in the winter. The town is located about fifty kilometers east of Rijeka and is well connected by road to the highway. The altitude of over eight hundred meters brings freshness even in warmer months, and in late autumn, the colors of the forest create an ideal backdrop for cultural events and spiritual gatherings. According to available data, it is a small municipality with a few hundred inhabitants, which gives it an intimate measure – just enough so that every guest feels welcome and important.

Visitors who come to the concert are encouraged to plan time for a walk and sightseeing. After the tie exhibition and before the start of the mass, one can walk through the town center or head to the viewpoints above the settlement. If you are coming from the direction of the sea, we suggest you set aside an additional thirty minutes for a break at nearby spots that offer views of the Gorski kotar landscape. For a faster selection of accommodation in Mrkopalj and the surrounding area, we have prepared an overview of the offer – a helpful tool when you want to stay one more night and maybe go on a hiking tour or sightseeing of Gorski kotar the next morning. If you are just planning your trip, open our section Accommodation in Mrkopalj and compare capacities, prices, and distances from the BVM of Sorrows church.

Newcomers arriving with children can count on a pleasant autumn walk, and it is certainly a good idea to bring a warmer jacket because the evening in Mrkopalj is often colder than in the lowlands. Many visitors decide to come earlier to avoid the crowd, find a parking spot near the church, and enter the space more easily before the start of the mass and concert.

Goran rock festival: evening continuation of the program for lovers of a different sound

The Saturday event in Mrkopalj does not end with the sacred music concert. In the evening, the second night of the 5th Goran rock festival is scheduled, which gives the whole day a special rhythm and expands the audience – from fans of spiritual music to rock lovers. This coexistence of different music scenes in a small Gorski kotar town is a beautiful example of how a community can meet in respect, and art can show its power of connection. Visitors who are staying for the rock program are advised to check the exact schedule and location of the evening part – it is usually organized in halls or outdoors, depending on the weather conditions.

To make it easier to plan your day, take into account the distances between locations, transfer time, and short breaks. If you are combining both programs and staying overnight in Mrkopalj, we recommend making an accommodation reservation earlier due to increased interest during autumn weekends.

How to get there and where to park: practical information for visitors

Mrkopalj is well connected by regional roads. If you are coming by car from the direction of Rijeka or Zagreb, the simplest way is to use the highway to the Delnice junction, and then follow the regional road towards Mrkopalj. Parking spaces near the town center and at the church are limited – so count on a short walk. We advise people with reduced mobility to arrive early to secure a parking space closer to the entrance. Entry to the church is organized through the main portal; visitors independently take free seats while respecting the liturgical space and the hosts' instructions.

We invite parents with small children to bring headphones for hearing protection if they expect the children to be more sensitive to the volume during choral culminations. A prayerful atmosphere is planned in the church during the concert; therefore, it is recommended to turn off mobile phones or switch them to silent mode. Photographic and video recording is allowed without flash, and journalists and editorial offices that plan to come for media coverage can contact the email address mentioned above in advance to get instructions for filming positions.

Volunteers, contributions, and additional activities: how to get involved

Humanitarian events of this kind rely on the generosity of volunteers and visitors. If you want to volunteer in collecting contributions or help with basic logistics during the day of the event, contact the organizers. All volunteers will receive brief instructions and a schedule of duties.

For those who cannot attend, there is an option to support the initiative by sharing information on social networks and by donating online. The UNICEF platform allows for quick giving, and on the website, there are also instructions for setting up a standing order that helps children in the most difficult circumstances month after month.

Cultural-historical context: October, the rosary, and the practice of procession

October in the church year is especially dedicated to the rosary. Numerous parishes then organize evening prayers, devotions, and processions, emphasizing the joint search for peace and conversion. Processions, like the one that will start at St. Philip's in Mrkopalj, have been a form of joint expression of faith for centuries, in which prayer pours onto the streets and squares, renewing the sense of community. In such an atmosphere, the sacred music concert also gains a fuller meaning: it is not about a usual concert, but about a prayerful encounter in which music becomes a path to inner peace and hope.

In a year when many communities are specifically called to pray for peace, the organizers of the concert in Mrkopalj strive to connect the local and the universal – from prayer in the parish church to global initiatives to help children. Thus, on the day of the concert, the small mountain municipality is inscribed on the map of places that, each in their own way, build a culture of peace.

For media and partners: how to cover us

Editorial offices and journalists who wish to cover the event are invited to announce their arrival at tic.mrkopalj@gmail.com. In the application, indicate the editorial office, the number of team members, and the need for a filming location. The organizers will provide precise instructions on entering the church, seating arrangements, as well as the rules for filming during the mass and concert. Official photos will also be available for download after the event, with credit given to the photographer according to the parish's instructions.

You can also support the event as a partner. Donors, businesses, and crafts from Mrkopalj and the wider Gorski kotar region can get involved with in-kind donations (e.g., logistics, refreshments for volunteers, printed materials) or financial support. In return, the organizers will appropriately highlight your name in the programs and thank-you notes after the concert. All contributions are directed, either directly or through UNICEF, to helping children in the most difficult circumstances.

Mrkopalj as inspiration: a combination of nature and culture

Those who have already been to Mrkopalj know that nature and culture here breathe with a shared rhythm. The autumn colors of the forests, the crisp air, and the silence of the evening create an ideal backdrop for music that invites contemplation. The BVM of Sorrows church is located in the town center and is easily accessible on foot from most accommodation facilities. If you are staying overnight, in the morning you can plan a short walk to the surrounding hills or visit other Gorski kotar settlements. In any case, before your trip, check our guide for accommodation in Mrkopalj to book a room or apartment in time and enjoy the entire program without rushing.

The specialty of mountain towns is also community: many are ready to help with information, direct you to the church, or recommend local specialties. This sense of closeness will also be present on the day of the concert, when the whole town will live to the rhythm of the exhibition, procession, mass, concert, and evening rock program.

Reminder of attendance registration and key points

• Date and time of the concert: October 18, 2025, 6:00 PM, BVM of Sorrows church, Mrkopalj.


• Prayer program: 4:30 PM prayer and procession from St. Philip; 5:00 PM holy mass.


• Tie exhibition: 3:00 PM–5:00 PM, Municipal Hall; about 700 pieces, including a tie of Oliver Dragojević, members of Parni valjak, and other well-known people.


• Humanitarian goal: collecting aid for children in crisis areas through UNICEF; possible to donate via the website and official payments.


• Evening continuation: second night of the 5th Goran rock festival.


• Attendance registration: by October 15, 2025, email tic.mrkopalj@gmail.com.

Everyone coming from other places can find an overview of the offer for accommodation in Mrkopalj on our website to calmly plan a weekend filled with music, spirituality, and a shared act of charity.

Accommodation in Mrkopalj and the surrounding area

To facilitate the planning of your arrival for the concert and accompanying programs, in this section we provide an overview of accommodation in Mrkopalj and the surrounding settlements. The offer includes apartments near the center, holiday homes in quieter areas, and smaller mountain guesthouses. Pay attention to the distance from the BVM of Sorrows church and the possibility of parking. In the autumn season, demand is higher due to hiking tours and festivals, so it is worth making a reservation in advance. If you are looking for a quick orientation by town quarters, we recommend accommodation options around the main road and near the Municipal Hall – from there it is possible to walk to the church in a few minutes.

For all additional information about cultural and tourist attractions, we recommend contacting the tourist office and reviewing local events by day. If you plan to stay longer, also inquire about hiking routes, walking trails, possibilities of visiting Delnice, Begovo Razdolje, and other Gorski kotar towns. And don't forget – October 18 is also World Tie Day, so Mrkopalj that weekend will live in the sign of culture, music, and community.