In the heart of the historic core of Zagreb, where every stone slab remembers centuries of a turbulent past, a unique musical event is being prepared that will connect the present with the deep roots of Croatia's spiritual and cultural heritage. It is a concert titled "Oh tongue, sing peacefully" performed by the Pučki pivači općine Ražanac, which will be held as a ceremonial introduction to one of the most important cultural events in the country. This concert is not just a musical evening; it is a sonic bridge to the magnificent celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom, offering the audience a chance to immerse themselves in authentic chants that have been passed down from generation to generation.

The inspiring sounds that will echo through Zagreb's Upper Town on Saturday, July 12, 2025, starting at 8 p.m., represent a musical jewel of Zadar County and are an introduction to the rich program of the 59th International Folklore Festival. This festival, as an event of national importance, is this year fully dedicated to commemorating one of the most important jubilees in the history of the Croatian people.

A Ceremonial Introduction to the National Celebration of Tradition

The concert "Oh tongue, sing peacefully" is part of the pre-program of the 59th International Folklore Festival in Zagreb, an event that annually gathers lovers of traditional culture from all over Croatia and the world. The main part of the festival takes place from July 16 to 20 at various city locations, but this concert will offer the audience a more intimate and concentrated experience. Its purpose is to set the tone for the entire event, whose thematic framework this year is extremely significant. Namely, by the decision of the Croatian Parliament, the year 2025 has been declared the year of the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom. In this spirit, the International Folklore Festival also actively contributes to the national celebration with its program, with the aim of presenting "the many aspects of the multiplicity of identity, from local to national." This very concert by the Pučki pivači perfectly embodies that mission, bringing ancient chants that are an indispensable part of the local, and therefore national, identity.

Guardians of Heritage from the Ražanac Region

The Pučki pivači općine Ražanac are true guardians of tradition, a vocal ensemble that nurtures the specific singing style of their region with pride and dedication. Their performance is not just singing; it is the revival of history, the transmission of emotions and spirituality woven into every verse and melody. Folk singing, as a form of intangible cultural heritage, represents one of the purest forms of folk artistic expression. It developed over centuries, far from formal music institutions, shaped by the life, faith, and customs of the local community. Through their performances, the singers from Ražanac not only save these valuable chants from oblivion but also present them to a new audience, ensuring them a place in contemporary cultural life. Their repertoire is deeply rooted in church folk singing, which is characterized by a specific melody and harmony, reflecting the spirit and piety of the people throughout history.

A Song as a Monument to the 1100th Anniversary of the Kingdom

Connecting this concert with the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom gives it additional weight and meaning. The celebration of such a great jubilee is not only a remembrance of the political and historical events from the time of King Tomislav but also a celebration of the continuity of Croatian identity, language, and culture. Traditional music is one of the strongest carriers of that identity. While rulers and states changed, the song remained among the people as a permanent monument and testimony to its existence. By performing ancient spiritual songs, the Pučki pivači directly draw on a heritage that reaches deep into the past, to a time when the foundations of Croatian statehood and culture were just being created. Their performance thus becomes a symbolic act that pays tribute to the generations who have preserved and passed on this heritage to this day, making it alive and relevant in the 21st century.

The Upper Town Stage for an Eternal Melody

The Greek Catholic Co-cathedral of St. Cyril and Methodius, located in Cyril and Methodius Street in the Upper Town, has been chosen as the venue for this special concert. This choice is by no means accidental. The location itself, in the immediate vicinity of St. Mark's Square, the center of Croatian political power, further emphasizes the national significance of the event. The Co-cathedral, built according to the designs of the famous Hermann Bollé in a Neo-Byzantine style, provides the perfect acoustic and spiritual ambiance for this type of music. Its dedication to the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, the apostles of the Slavs and creators of the Glagolitic alphabet, creates a direct link to the beginnings of Slavic literacy and liturgy, from which church folk singing itself emerged. In such an environment, filled with history and sacred art, the voices of the Pučki pivači općine Ražanac will gain a new dimension, and their song will become a prayer that connects the past, present, and future, celebrating the faith and perseverance of the Croatian people through eleven centuries.

This event provides a rare opportunity to experience the primordial power and beauty of Croatian traditional music in a unique ambiance, as an announcement of the great folklore celebration that will follow and as a worthy contribution to the commemoration of the great national anniversary. The concert "Oh tongue, sing peacefully" will be more than a musical experience; it will be a journey through time, led by the voices that preserve the soul of Dalmatia and all of Croatia.