A ritual play then takes place in the host’s house; while all the girls sing, the kings obey commands sung in the songs. The queens stand still.  If the kings are sitting, the ritual play starts with the following song: “Rise to your feet, king, rise to your feet, king, ljeljo!” The kings rise from… Pročitaj sve »

A chain dance with swords or handkerchiefs makes up an integral part of the Lastovo Carnival custom. It is organised around a group of male or female dancers who perform simple three-step dance moves, forming various geometrical shapes. Female dancers are mutually connected with handkerchiefs, so that one dancer holds one end and the next… Pročitaj sve »

The white masks’ circle dance is a sword dance performed in the village of Putnikovići on the Pelješac peninsula during carnival season. It is danced by a masked group of men, the so-called white masks, arranged in a contra-dance formation, i.e. two lines of couples facing each other.  Half of the white masks play the… Pročitaj sve »

The Lastovo Carnival season starts on St Anthony’s Day on 17 January, and lasts until Ash Wednesday. If the carnival group decides so, balo (dance evenings that take place only during the carnival season) can start as early as Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day), but this happens in exceptional cases only. On St Anthony’s Day, regardless… Pročitaj sve »

The spring procession of “ljelje” is held once a year, on the Catholic feast of Pentecost or Whitsunday (“Duhovi”). On this day, the Catholic Church commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles. Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday, anytime between 10 May and 13 June. The holiday is… Pročitaj sve »

White Masks is a carnival custom from the village of Putnikovići on the Pelješac peninsula. The custom is based on a legend that goes back to the times when military campaigns were taking place in this area (the Turkish army has been mentioned as a protagonist, but that story has not been confirmed). Multiple armies… Pročitaj sve »

17 January 2013 THURSDAY The beginning of the carnival events and dance evenings Dance evenings: 17 January 2013 Thursday 18 January 2013 Friday 19 January 2013 Saturday 25 January 2013 Friday 26 January 2013 Saturday 1 February 2013 Friday 2 February 2013 Saturday 8 February 2013 Friday 9 February 2013 Saturday 10 February 2013 Sunday… Pročitaj sve »