While the carnival reigns in whole of Croatia, at Saturday, February 10, organized by the town of Sinj and Sinj Tourist Board, the town held its 4th annual mačkare carnival of the Cetina region, where seven mačkara groups got a chance to introduce themselves.

The yearly carnival throughout the villages surrounding Kamešnica is a priceless piece of cultural heritage unique in Europe, and as such, it is recognized and protected by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia. The goal of this event is to popularize and familiarize the greater public with this rich tradition.

The mačkare groups gathered at the town stadium from where they marched to the Pijaca, where the main program was held. The costumed parade was led by Sinj’s majorettes, the mayor of Sinj Kristina Križanac and her deputies Denis Glavan and Zlatko Ugrin, and the director of the Sinj Tourist Board Monika Vrgoč.

In front of the crowd the ancient customs were presented by the following groups: Glavice, Bajagić – Obrovac Sinjski, ‘Didi s Kamešnice’ Gljev, Gala, Vrpolje – Čačvina, Vedrine and ‘Starogradske mačkare’ Trilj. The incredible didi, babe and balinčad managed to picturesquely present a long and unique tradition of carnival customs of the Cetina region. Besides, the mačkare could not resist to comment on a few contemporary, everyday themes in a humorous way. The mačkare from Bajagić and Obrovac staged a tennis match between Kurnjikova and Pušnjikova, the group from Gljev staged a pig slaughter, the group from Gala a death squad, while the group from Trilj depicted a sheep next to a voting poll and a line Rože – Trilj – Berlin – Ireland.

At the end of their group presentation, the colorful and merry crowd continued their festivities at the Piccadilly club with delicious beans from the hands of volunteers of Srma association and with the performance of the band Uzbuna.

We would like to use this opportunity to thank all the participants of the 4th annual mačkare carnival of the Cetina region, who managed to compete this manifestation with their participation. It is not only important for the tourist promotion of Sinj, but also for the preservation of valuable tradition and carnival customs. We would also like to thank Sinj town music, Sinj majorettes, Srma association, the cultural-artistic center, Red Cross Sinj and the Didi from Kamešnica association for their great help in the organization. We hope we have succeeded in chasing away the evil spirits of winter and evoked spring, and that we see each other again at the 5th annual carnival!