With the end of the year slowly approaching we are keen on a nostalgic look back on the past 2017 which will remain written down in gold lettering in the rich archive of Croatian history.

It was a year of two Alka games, the first one in May in Vukovar, and then the regular 302^nd Alka, held under the shade of chestnut trees on Sinj’s Alka track.

Only three times in its 300 years has the Alka been held outside of Sinj: 1832 in Split, 1922 in Beograd and 1946 in Zagreb. This fourth time, 17 lancers competed in honor of the Croatian homeland defenders of Vukovar and the whole of Croatia. The event was marked by strong symbolism, pride and patriotism, on the day when everyone’s hearts beat faster in front of the Alka reveille on the streets of the heroic town. Thousands of spectators witnessed this historical chivalric tournament in which the brightest eye and steadiest hand was that of Ante Zorica, who secured his victory by eight points and will certainly remember it forever.

In less than three months after the Alka in Vukovar, the alkars competed again in the 302^nd Alka festivities. It was once again interesting and unusual: the grand winner with a total of seven points was the debutant Alen Poljak, also winner of the Čoja which took place the day before. The Alka duke Ante Vučić tied a Croatian flag around his lance, a token of victory, and he was then congratulated by the President and patron of the Sinj Alka Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, who also gave him a golden ring with the Croatian coat of arms and a saber. The winner’s squire was rewarded with a gold Alka plaque and a silver ring with the Croatian coat of arms.

Truly, a year to remember. Alka unites us every time anew, in its unique way in times of peace and under threat of danger reminds us that we can only move forward with togetherness and patriotism. Its shine does not fade even after three centuries, its triumph does not diminish. We eagerly await the 303^rd Alka of Sinj!