February 7, 2020 - After Sinj mayor Kristina Križanac handed over the city keys, the Sinj Carnival Association, in the presence of a dozen of its members, announced its brief but memorable rule in the Alka city. The Cetina Region Carnival can officially begin!

Through February 25, the citizens of Sinj and their guests can expect a lot of fun and laughter as part of the vibrant Carnival program.

Thus, on February 8, the traditional Tripiciada, a competition in the preparation of tripe, will be held. As always, when it comes to food, there is no compromise - this competition is ruthless, and the winner’s secrets are not revealed at any cost.

Saturday morning, February 15, is reserved for the children’s masquerade. The colorful and cheerful procession of little superheroes, princesses and princes, fairy tale characters and cartoons is always accompanied by playful laughter. 

Milan Sabic

Later in the day, at 2 pm, a different kind of carnival procession begins. From the Sinj Hippodrome, the Carnival procession of the Cetina region begins. This year, they will gather for the sixth time, driven by the success and attendance of past events. The Carnival tradition of this region has been preserved for centuries by carefully and strictly established rules. 

After the Feast of the Holy Three Kings, the best bearers and guardians of the Carnival customs in the region visit the villages and hamlets. How precious they are is also evidenced by the fact that they are on the list of protected intangible cultural assets of the Republic of Croatia.

The Carnival groups are from the villages of Gljev, Han, Obrovac Sinjski, Bajagic, the municipality of Otok (Jelašce, Priblace, Živinice, Gala, Ruda, Udovičići, and occasionally groups from Glavičica-Priblace, Ovrlja and Korita), while in Trilj, there are groups from Grab, Jabuka, Košuta, Vedrine, Vrpolje, Čačvina and Velić.

The most attractive and impressive part of the procession is the ‘didi’ (old men), who carry the fleece of sheep on their heads, standing tall at a height of up to 1.5 meters, with bells around their waist. They are dressed in old clothes with colorful fringes sewn on. The 'didi' symbolizes the ritual battle of good spirits in winter, and chase them away by making noise and jumping.

Zeljko Zrncic

This year's Carnival will also feature Grobnički Donodolaši, an old carnival group from Grobinscina (near Rijeka). 

In addition to the traditional Carnival groups who preserve the precious traditions of the Croatian people with ritual, numerous groups participate in the spectacle, and with their comical stage performances, completes the whole procession.

Sime Strikoman will also commemorate this year's show with his famous millennium photo.

On February 21, a memorial evening will be held to commemorate the early departure of dear and beloved fellow citizen Vlatko Rogulj.

On February 22 and 23, the Sinj Carnival will be presented at the Rijeka Carnival and will crown their reign in Sinj on February 25, on the carnival Tuesday, with a traditional parade procession and masquerade at the Alkar Hotel.

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

January 28, 2020 - The Sinj Tourist Board, in cooperation with the Mak consulting company, produced a detailed tourist map of the Sinj area and the municipalities of Dicmo, Hrvace and Otok. The map is printed in Croatian, German and English.

The map shows the valuable cultural and historical heritage of the town of Sinj, themed and pilgrimage trails, the restaurant offers, as well as the overall infrastructure necessary for a comfortable stay and easy access to all the interesting and necessary amenities.

With this map, the Sinj Tourist Board wants to bring the tourist facilities closer to everyone, but also to stimulate and direct the interest of visitors towards cultural and natural heritage. The Sinj Tourist Board will promote and distribute the tourist map through fairs, while an interactive version can be found on the official website of the Sinj Tourist Board.

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

January 27, 2020 - The first Alka in the snow was held on Saturday at the Čajuša ski resort near Kupres. The winner was Marko Vrca, the BiH media announced on Sunday.

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that skis replaced the traditional horses, and each competitor was officially presented with the sound of a trumpet. This winter Alka edition was supported by the Alka Knights Society of Sinj and was attended by the members of the Management Board, among them Ivo Vukasović.

The event featured 17 alkars on skis, and after three races, four competitors had the same number of points.

After the first round, only Niksa Saric and Marko Vrca remained in the competition. In the second, they both hit the middle (‘u sridu’), which resulted in a third round where Vrca again hit the middle.

Of all the competitors, only Marko Vrca is an alkar and a member of the Sinj Ski Club. Last year, he made his debut at the traditional Sinj Alka held in August.

Representatives of the Knights' Alkar Society said that alka was one of the most important ways of promoting the City of Sinj and the Sinj Alka, a knight's game with a tradition of more than 300 years.

Therefore, they decided to hold a competition in Kupres together with the Sinj Ski Club and the association DalSKI, in cooperation with the Adria-ski Sports and Recreation Center in Kupres.

They also announced the continuation of this Alka ski tradition.

Check out the fun in the video below!

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

January 17, 2020 - Sinj and the Cetina region have long attracted attention to their unique and interesting events, but the carnival festivities are certainly in their own category. 

This year, the Carnival will be held for the sixth time, on February 15th. 

Numerous Carnival (or ‘Mačkare) groups will have the opportunity to present themselves to the public in the same place - resulting in a lively, cheerful and noisy procession that speaks to a long and colorful tradition according to carefully and strictly established rules.

Zeljko Zrncic

The carnival groups the best bearers and guardians of the customs in the Inland Dalmatian region, and the fact that they are on the list of protected immaterial cultural goods of the Republic of Croatia is also testimony to their grandeur. 

In the villages of Gljev, Han, Obrovac Sinjski, Bajagić and Gala, the Carnival groups have a unique and original way of displaying ancient customs, complete with the sounds of bells and other accompanying rituals. In the municipality of Otok, each hamlet has its own Carnival group (Jelašce, Priblaće, Živinice, Gala, Ruda, Udovičići, and occasionally groups from Glavičica-Priblaće, Ovrlje and Koritā), while in the municipality of Trilj, you can find Carnival groups from the villages of Grab, Jabuka, Košute, Vedrine, Vrpolje, Čačvina and Velić. 

Milan Sabic

The layout of the Carnival parade is based on traditional rules, irrespective of any changes, with only men allowed to participate. 

The most attractive and impressive part of the procession is the ‘didi’ (old men), who carry the fleece of sheep on their heads, standing tall at the height of up to 1.5 meters, with bells around their waist. They are dressed in old clothes with colorful fringes sewn on. The 'didi' symbolizes the ritual battle of good spirits in winter and chase them away by making noise and jumping.

Zeljko Zrncic

Carnival customs similar to these exist in other parts of Croatia and Europe, and embody the ritualistic struggle of good spirits with the winter, driven by noise and jumping.

This festival seeks to popularize this rich tradition of carnival customs that is unique in Europe. The Dida tradition was preserved and every year, in January and February, the carnival groups perform in the Cetina settlements.

Nikola Belancic

In addition to the traditional carnival groups, many other groups participate, which, with their comical, humorous stage performances, complete and enrich the whole procession.

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN'as dedicated page.

January 13, 2020 - To mark the International Recognition Day of the Republic of Croatia, and as part of the project "Get to Know Your Country", on Sunday, January 12, 2020, a free guided tour was successfully held in the town of Sinj.

The action was launched by the Croatian Tourist Guide Association (ZDTVH) with the support of the Croatian National Tourist Board. The Sinj City Tourist Board, together with the Sini - Osinium Association of Tour Guides, also joined the action. In all the cities involved - 50 this year - free tourist guides began at exactly the same time, at noon.

As part of the action, the participants toured numerous city sights accompanied by local tour guide Nenad Pavic. This year, the group planned to visit the Grad fortress and the Sinjska Alka Museum. However, the group could not visit the Sinjska Alka Museum, as the electricity supply in Sinj was temporarily interrupted.

Therefore, instead of the Sinjska Alka Museum, a tour of the Kamičak fort followed. A special surprise to all participants was the presence of ZDTVH President Mrs. Kristina Nuić Prka, who is one of the initiators of this action and many other similar projects. 

During the three-hour guided tour, the participants from the cities of Solin, Split, Trogir, Vodice and Sinj were able to learn more about the town of Sinj, its inhabitants, history, and its famous historical figures and events. Particular emphasis was placed at the Stations of the Cross at the Grad fortress, and the historical events of 1715 during the miraculous defense of the city against the Ottomans. The three-hour tour of the city ended with a visit to the Kamičak fort, where the group learned all about this symbol of the town of Sinj.

The Sinj Tourist Board thanks everyone who participated and helped to make this project a reality!

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

January 8, 2020 - Within the project "Get to Know Your Country" organized by the Croatian Tourist Guides Association, and as part of the International Recognition Day of the Republic of Croatia, the Sinj Tourist Board, in cooperation with the Association of Tourist Guides of the City of Sinj "Osinium" and the Sinjska Alka Museum, invites all citizens of Sinj and the Cetina Region, as well as all visitors and tourists, to join a free guided tour of Sinj.

Everyone will gather at noon in front of the Alkar Palace on Sunday, January 12 (TZG Sinj Office and Sinjska Alka Museum), accompanied by a tourist guide. All participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the town of Sinj, prominent figures who influenced its development, numerous public sculptures, the Franciscan Classical High School, which is the first in southern Croatia to teach the Croatian language, the Tripalo Palace, Kamčak Fortress, the Church of Our Lady of Sinj, which houses the image of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, the votive church at the Grad fortress, the marvelous defense of the town of Sinj in 1715, and the significance of the Sinjska Alka, which is protected by UNESCO.

In order to ensure Sinj is rightfully presented, participants will visit the Grad fortress and the Sinjska Alka Museum, which is unique in its layout and has received numerous awards and recognitions.

Get to know your city and all the hidden stories it tells. Get to know your country! You can confirm your participation by calling 099/4500305.

December 19, 2019 - On December 17, a parade of horsemen of the Patriot Veterans' Cooperative and the Samarica Equestrian Club, headed by Mario Vujevic - Vegi, started from Dabar. 

After gathering at the Hippodrome in Sinj, this cheerful bunch visited and delighted the attendants of the Juraj Bonaći Education Center in Sinj and gifted them candy. An incredible spectacle during the holiday season!

The horsemen continued to entertain the children as they passed through the city, while surprising the sweet citizens of Sinj who did not expect this exciting event.

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

November 29, 2019 - Advent in Sinj opens on Saturday, November 30, 2019!

Although November is not quite over, the sweet anticipation of Christmas is already approaching - and just thinking of the enticing scents of mulled wine and delicious and savory treats guarantees a good time for all generations. Thankfully, a handful of fun and unique holiday festivities are open to anyone looking for Christmas magic in Sinj this winter. 

Many different events have been prepared for the youngest, who will even have a Children's Week organized by the association "Cjelovit život", which begins conveniently on the Feast of St. Nicholas. The little ones will enjoy, but also perform in plays, music and dance venues, choir performances, a magician's play, a fairytale fair, a handicraft fair, and even breakfast with a Santa Claus.

Numerous valuable and active associations from Sinj and the Cetina region have organized several exciting events and actions. The people of Sinj and their guests will be able to enjoy the concerts of Klapa Sinj, Zlatko Jelincic, City Music and Mixed Choir of Sinj, the KUDs Osinium, Vrilo and Brodosplit and the Christmas show of the Sinj Majorettes. 

KUD Cetina will light up the town with their performance on the Christmas Eve of the Cetina Region, Sinjski ferali will rejoice in an evening of poetry, prose and Christmas cookies, and the Sinj folk theater will contribute to the holiday atmosphere with their performances. The praiseworthy humanitarian action ‘Pomagati ‘ will also offer help to those in need at this most magical time.

Say good-bye to the old 2019 and hello to 2020 with the youngest at the early New Year's Eve party, or join the older crowd in the evening at King Tomislav Square with a concert including M.O.R.T., and Jurica Padjen and Aerodorom.

Advent in Sinj ends with the New Year's concert and is organized by the City of Sinj, the Sinj Tourist Board, the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, and numerous associations in the area.

The Sinj Tourist Board is looking forward to seeing you at Sinj's Advent!

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

November 20, 2019 - The jubilee 10th Sinj Festival of Science kicked off at the Presentation Hall of the Sinjska Alka Museum in the Alkar Courtyard on Tuesday night. Mayor Kristina Križanac opened the festival.

Slobodna Dalmacija writes that on behalf of the Split-Dalmatia, Prefect Blaženko Boban, Damir Caric said that this festival was the first capstone for the establishment of the County Center of Excellence.

There were a modest number of visitors at the opening, never smaller, and a three-member delegation from the US Embassy currently visiting the Alkar city was among the guests.

On behalf of the organizing committee of the festival, president Mislav Cvitković addressed the attendees. He recalled that over the past ten years, the Sinj Science Festival had hosted 155 top Croatian scientists, more than any festival of its kind in Croatia. In addition to themed lectures for interested citizens, they gave more than 300 hours of instruction in Sinj schools.

Cvitković thanked everyone who helped in organizing the Sinj Science Festival over the past ten years.

In a lengthy speech, he also sent a political message to the state authorities, urging them not to poke at the construction of the Croatian house, but to finally use the people they know.

The Sinj choir performed for the occasion. 

Immediately after the opening, the lectures began. The first lecturer was particle physicist Vuko Brigljević, one of the few Croatian scientists to participate in key experiments at CERN.

Dr. Brigljević spoke on the subject of "What we know and do not know about the fundamental structure of matter after the discovery of the Higgs boson," in fact, about the secrets of matter that, after that discovery, are trying to shed light on today's physics.

The second lecturer was Ph.D. Saša Ceci, who also presented his book Blesimetar drugi.

To read more about Inland Dalmatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

November 11, 2019 - After nine successful years, the tenth anniversary of the Science Festival in Sinj will be held from November 19 to 23, 2019!

As usual, the festival organizers stubbornly continue at the highest level within the “4i concept": excellent scientists interacting directly with children and citizens intensively for five days in an innovative way, presenting their latest scientific and technical breakthroughs.

This year, festival visitors will hear first-hand from top scientists about the Higgs boson and the deepest secrets of matter, nanotechnology, antimatter, astronomy, but also about the considerable research on Sinj ticks and bacterial genes. This year is especially exciting for children, as there will be a night sky observation with telescopes, several workshops, the most beautiful experiments in physics, a quiz and competition in high school chemical startup, while the highlight of the program is on Saturday morning when physics comes to the kids at the Sinj pjaca.

In short: Sinj will become a Science City this year for five days!

The festival is sponsored by the President of the Republic of Croatia. You can find the list of guests here. 

Everyone is invited to attend and help show Croatia’s youth that knowledge is the future through the best examples of people who have succeeded only with their knowledge and effort!