Županja in February again becomes the stage of Slavonian heritage: 59th Šokačko sijelo dedicated to špenzle
Županja will once again be the center of Slavonian tradition, song, and customs from February 6 to 17, 2026, when the 59th edition of Šokačko sijelo takes place. The organizers announce a program with dozens of events which, along with folklore and traditional content, brings a musical and fair part, and this year's motto of the manifestation is
"My špenzle, my frontier attire". In the city's everyday life, this means a recognizable image of February in Županja: the thud of carnival riders' hooves, the jingling of ducats on folk costumes, Šokci shout-outs, and performances that revive former life habits of the region along the Sava.
Why špenzle are in focus: from frontier uniforms to a sign of identity
The central story of the 59th Šokačko sijelo is dedicated to the
špenzle, a traditional clothing item worn among the male and female population of eastern Slavonia and western Srijem, which traces its roots back to the time of the Military Frontier under the Habsburg Monarchy. Ethnological sources record that it is a short coat, most often made of woolen cloth, whose terminology changed in practice from village to village, while in the Županja region, it is particularly remembered as part of formal and representative attire. In the interpretations accompanying the manifestation's program, the connection of špenzle with the frontier heritage is emphasized: from the influence of uniforms and dressing regulations to the later "rooting" of the clothing piece into folklore tradition, where špenzle are no longer a military sign but a symbol of belonging and aesthetics.
Precisely for this reason, the choice of theme is not just a stylistic decision, but an attempt to explain to the public how historical layers, state borders, and social changes can be read on clothing. Through this year's motto, the organizers want to show that attire is simultaneously a story about the economy of past centuries, about crafts and skills, about the availability of materials, but also about the pride of a community that learned to preserve its peculiarities. Visitors coming to Županja for the events often want to stay for several days, so an increased demand for
accommodation in Županja during Šokačko sijelo is expected again this year.
Grand opening and selection of Šokački cvit: an event that transcends a classic pageant
The manifestation opens on February 6, when the central ceremony and the selection of
Šokački cvit 2026 (Shokatsian Flower) are on the program. Girls aged 16 to 25 have the right to participate, and according to the rules relayed by the organizers, the contestants present themselves in temporally and stylistically unified traditional attire, with corresponding footwear, headgear, and hairstyle, in accordance with occasions from former life. It is particularly emphasized that this is an event in which knowledge and presentation of heritage are assessed, and the expert jury consists of ethnologists, cultural anthropologists, and folklorists. According to the announced propositions, the number of participants is limited, and the title generally cannot be won twice, which aims to ensure that every generation gets its representative.
In Županja, Šokački cvit is perceived as a publicly recognizable symbol of youth and the preservation of tradition, so the selection is followed with special attention, both in the city itself and among emigrated people from Županja. Such programs, along with folklore performances, are often a motive for visitors from other parts of Croatia to come, who plan a weekend visit along with the evening events, which is why a higher interest in
accommodation offers in Županja and the surrounding area is expected during the manifestation period.
Carnival riding and carnival parade: streets as a living stage of customs
One of the most attractive parts of Šokačko sijelo, which year after year gathers a large number of spectators, is
carnival riding. The organizers announce that on February 8, riders will pass through the city streets and symbolically announce the beginning of the Sijelo, and the return of the horsemen is planned a week later, when they should lead the large carnival parade. Such scenes, with costumes, horses, and the accompaniment of tamburitza music, create an experience that for many visitors is the first encounter with continental traditional culture in its "living" performance.
The carnival segment of the manifestation in Županja is not mere scenery, but a continuation of customs that in the villages and towns of Slavonia had the role of social gathering, joint visitation, and public "entry" into the Lenten period. This year, through such content, Sijelo reminds us that tradition is not a static image from a museum, but a practice that is repeated, adapted, and passed on. For guests who want to experience both morning and evening programs, a practical option is
accommodation near the event venues in Županja, especially on days when parades and riding are held.
Festival "Šokačke pisme" and evening of vocal groups: tamburitza and voice as regional identity
This year's program also includes the
21st Festival "Šokačke pisme", announced for February 8. With this, Sijelo further emphasizes the musical dimension of Šokci culture, in which the tamburitza, polyphonic singing, and traditional songs are key elements of identity. The day before, on February 7, an evening of singing groups titled
"Let there be singing, let it be heard" is planned, which traditionally gathers performers dedicated to vocal heritage in the Županja program.
The musical part of Šokačko sijelo, according to announcements from the program presentation, this year also includes performances by popular artists, along with top tamburitza players, thus attempting to merge the traditional backbone with attractive content for a wider audience. The organizers point out that the goal is to maintain the recognizable character of the manifestation, but also to enable different generations, from children and youth to older keepers of customs, to gather in Županja during the Sijelo.
Golden Thread Fair: tradition gaining economic weight
An important segment of the manifestation is the
XIV Golden Thread Fair, which, according to the announcement of the Tourist Board and media reports, is held from February 12 to 15, 2026, under a large tent on King Tomislav Square. The fair brings exhibitors, family farms, craftsmen, and associations to Županja, offering visitors handicrafts, original souvenirs, gold embroidery, ethno creations, jewelry, and various domestic products. A formal opening is also announced for February 12 in the morning hours, with the message that this is a part of the program that grows year by year in terms of attendance and influence on the local offer.
The Golden Thread Fair specifically shows how Šokačko sijelo does not act only as a cultural manifestation, but also as an event that encourages consumption in hospitality and trade, and opens space for small producers to present themselves to a wider audience. In such days, Županja functions as a fair city, and for guests who want to combine a visit to the fair and evening programs, it is most practical to plan the stay in advance through
accommodation for visitors of Šokačko sijelo in Županja.
Exhibitions, "Gleam of Golden Ducats" and Peasant Party: when attire becomes a space for meeting
The program also includes exhibition content that brings the details of traditional attire closer to the public. An exhibition of folk costumes, gold, and photographs
"Gleam of Golden Ducats" is announced, authored by Zvone Ilić, which emphasizes the aesthetics and symbolism of jewelry and ornamentation. Ducats in Slavonian tradition are not just decoration, but also a sign of family status, value, and inheritance, which is why exhibitions dedicated to "gold" are often among the most visited programs.
A special place is also held by the far-famed
Peasant Party "Of one's own attire and one's own bread", which in the Županja context is described as a final, mass event where visitors come dressed in costumes, parts of costumes, or ethno-creations, and often bring food and traditional products from home. Such a practice turns the hall or tent into a common table and a social event in which the entire community participates, from families to associations, with music and dance late into the night.
Gathering of folk writers and book presentations: heritage as a story, not just a costume
Šokačko sijelo traditionally includes programs that emphasize the written and narrative dimension of heritage. A
Gathering of Folk Writers is announced, a meeting of authors who record Slavonian themes, speech, customs, and local fates through verse and prose. In addition, visitors will be able to choose among evenings of book and monograph presentations, where heritage is interpreted through stories, biographies, and research work.
In the announcements, the picture book by Marta Huber and Mislav Lešić Đurakov
"I am huge in body, strong in soul – the story of the strongest man in the world" is particularly highlighted, dedicated to Marijan Matijević, an eccentric historical figure of whom the people of Županja are particularly proud. According to media reports, after marriage, Matijević lived in Županja and started a family there, and a mural is dedicated to him in the city, which further shows how local identity is also built through personal stories.
Organizers and messages from the program presentation: culture, tourism, and local politics
At the presentation of the 59th Šokačko sijelo program, according to reports from the event, representatives of the city and tourist administration and organizational committees spoke. The Mayor of Županja, Damir Juzbašić, was highlighted as the President of the Organizing Committee, while Damir Bačić is mentioned in the announcements as the President of the Executive Committee. The Director of the Tourist Board of the City of Županja, Kruno Šarić, emphasized the tourist dimension of the manifestation and the growth of visits in recent years, while the Vukovar-Srijem County Prefect Ivan Bosančić spoke about the importance of supporting traditional manifestations and cultural associations.
Such messages point to a wider trend: manifestations of traditional culture are increasingly viewed as part of cultural policy and local development, especially in Slavonian environments that want to retain the population, strengthen visibility, and stimulate the economy through events. Šokačko sijelo has an additional advantage in this regard because it relies on a strong local identity and on content that can be "lived" on the street, in a tent, on stage, and in family homes.
Županja in 12 days of Sijelo: how tradition is passed on and who carries it
What makes Šokačko sijelo recognizable is not only the number of performances, but the fact that the carriers of the program are local associations, cultural and artistic societies, tamburitza bands, riders, folk writers, and individuals who know the details of attire and customs. In the year when špenzle are in the center, emphasis is further placed on understanding the clothing layers, cuts, and decorations, because every detail has its place: from the material and way of sewing to which occasion calls for which piece.
The manifestation thus turns into a large outdoor school of heritage, in which the audience learns through watching, listening, and participating. Županja, at least for those twelve days, becomes a city where tradition is not explained by dry definitions, but is shown through events, songs, riding, exhibitions, and a shared table. In this sense, this year's motto "My špenzle, my frontier attire" functions as a reminder that the history of this region is sewn into the clothing, and that identity is easiest to understand when seen in motion, among people.
Sources:- - Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) – announcement of the 59th Šokačko sijelo and overview of key programs (link)
- - HRT Radio Osijek – report on the program presentation and statements of the organizers (link)
- - Glas Slavonije – report on the program of the 59th Šokačko sijelo (link)
- - Glas Slavonije – announcement and details of the XIV Golden Thread Fair (dates, place, call to exhibitors) (link)
- - Gradonačelnik.hr – summary of the program presentation, actors, and tourist context (link)
- - Budica.info (according to the Tourist Board of the City of Županja) – details on applications and propositions for the selection of Šokački cvit (link)
- - Hrčak (scientific paper) – ethnological context of špenzle/rekle and connection with frontier clothing (link)
- - „Stjepan Gruber“ Native Museum Županja – educational presentation about špenzle and frontier uniforms in museum programs (link)
Find accommodation nearby
Creation time: 2 hours ago