Vinkovci aims to position itself as being known for being a cradle of civilisation.
As Glas Slavonije/Darko Pejic writes on the 19th of May, 2018, Portanova's visitors were pleasantly surprised by Vinkovci locals dressed up in Roman style togas on Saturday as they promoted and invited the crowds to the latest and sixth edition of Roman Days (Rimski Dani) - as announced by the director of the Vinkovci Tourist Board (TZ Vinkovci), Martina Matković. The event will run from May the 26th to June the 2nd in Vinkovci.
"This year, Roman Days will last a little longer, and the richest part of the program will take place on the 1st and the 2nd of June. But those days will be preceded by many accompanying events, so this year, Roman Days will last for eight days. They [the event] begin on May the 26th with the Rome Nights of Wine, during which we'll promote wines from Ilok at reasonable prices at the Aurelia town cafe in Vinkovci, and after the opening of Roman Days, there will be a series of creative and educational workshops that will take place in the city park and at the library, photo exhibitions, lectures... This is all an introduction to the central events of Roman Days [which will take place on] the first and the second of June. During those days, there will be creative and educational workshops for elementary and kindergarten age children, and the traditionally held Knowledge Olympics, a competition of fifth grade age students in teams from Vinkovci's primary schools, on the subject of the Roman Empire and the Roman period, under the organisation of the Vinkovci City Museum, which is a co-organiser alongside the City of Vinkovci,'' stated Matković.
The event is held under the media sponsorship of Glas Slavonije. Otherwise, Vinkovci is known widely as the city with the longest continuity of life in all of Europe, and TZ Vinkovci rightfully aims to highlight some of the most important and interesting events through Vinkovci's long and rich history that stretches over 8,000 years.
Matković added that the Roman period is of huge interest to Vinkovci and should therefore be brought forward and closer to the public, she noted that the fact that two Roman emperors were born in Vinkovci; Valentinian I and Valens, also carries significant weight.
The remains of Roman silverware were found six years ago in Vinkovci, and in terms of the scale of such historic discoveries, the silverware is among the best of the best, meaning that the potential of the finds from that time in Vinkovci are enormous.
''This is a manifestation through which we want to popularise that time,'' noted Matković, adding that through the interesting lectures of archaeologists, the fact that this relatively overlooked Croatian town is actually a cradle of civilisation should be being emphasised above all.
Click here for the original article by Darko Pejic for Glas Slavonije
