A papal envoy for the Festival of St. Blaise in Dubrovnik.
Mate Uzinic, the Bishop of Dubrovnik, organised the traditional meeting with journalists and other media representatives on January 22, 2016 that will take place on the eve of the famous festival of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik. It was announced to the delight of all involved, that an envoy of Pope Francis will be in attendance at the famous festivity, as we celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Blaise.
The festival and celebration of St. Blaise has remained the most festive and indeed one of the most important days in the exceptionally long, rich and more recently devastating history of Dubrovnik, it is a spiritual and religious unification of the city and the surrounding countryside into one inseparable, unified whole, a historic symbol of religious, civil and popular spirit, and above all, an expression of gratitude to the saint-martyr and the protector of the city, Sveti Vlaho (St. Blaise).
Over the very, very many years, the celebrations have changed by becoming more unique, more interactive and accepting the unstoppable change, yet without fault keeping the importance of this day and what it signifies to Dubrovnik, and all of us who live there. The day of celebrations and honour prove that St. Blaise is deeply woven into every single pore of life here, and to honour and respect him means freedom, or as it is known here, LIBERTAS.
