August 9, 2020 - The 305th Sinjska Alka was held on Sunday in Sinj, under strict epidemiological measures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that the Sinjska Alka is a well-known Croatian knight's game, established in memory of the great victory of the Venetian army and the people of the Cetina region over the Ottomans on August 14, 1715. Seventeen Alkars competed in the Alka on Sunday, and the Alka festivities were held under special circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sinj Alka was attended by President Zoran Milanovic, president of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandrokovic, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, as well as a number of ministers. 

Instead of the usual 5,000+ spectators lined along the Alka track, this year, there were only 1,400 spectators in the stands. All spectators had to give their name, surname and telephone number so that epidemiologists could do their job more easily should an outbreak occur.

The Alka duke signaled to start 305th Sinjska Alka just before 5 pm. Frano Ivkovic, the winner of the 304th Sinjska Alka, was the first to go, though his attempt was unsuccessful.

Ivo Zorica was named the winner of the Sinjska Alka on Sunday, after accumulating seven points on the legendary racetrack. After the third round, he escaped debutants Martin Susnjari and Nenad Maric.

Ivo Zorica was born in 1983, and according to his education, he is an economic technician employed at the PBZ branch in Sinj. He is married to Monica, with whom he has a son and a daughter, and comes from the famous Zorica family as the second Alkar. Accompanied by the flag, he made his debut in 2000, and in 2002 he became an Alkar spearman. From 2006 to 2013, he was the deputy alaj čauš.

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August 7, 2020 - Everything is ready for the 305th Sinjska Alka, which will be held this Sunday in Sinj, under special epidemiological measures and corona rules.

Due to the epidemic, the Alkars trained separately, and the number of spectators in the stands has been reduced. The knights' competition is preceded by the Bara, which is scheduled for today, and the Čoja, which runs on Saturday.

There are no tickets on sale this time around, and the only hotel in the Sinj region is almost completely filled with guests. Small renters in the Sinj region, which lives for the Alka, are also satisfied with the reservations. This year is no exception.

The last dress rehearsal before the competition was held on the Alka track in Sinj on Thursday. RTL's Jelena Tešija was there with one of the organizers. You can see the video here.

Sinj claims they will not become a new coronavirus focus.

"Not at all, because we implemented all the recommendations and agreements we had with the national and county headquarters so that we had two groups in the preparation of the Alkars themselves, and we reduced the number of spectators to one quarter at the track. Therefore, it will be very small, almost impossible to spread infection," said Stipe Jukic, president of the Alka Knights Society Sinj.

"We divided Alkars into two groups: groups A and B of 15 each, so we adhere to the measures. If one group becomes infected and ends up in self-isolation, there is another that can do Alka to the very end, because according to the statute, the minimum number is 11 to do Alka," said Ivica Filipovic-Grcic.

In the end, 17 of the best were selected, among them one debutant.

To be sure no corona spreads, there will be no reception or a traditional celebration.

"All events that are otherwise in preparation of the Alka, and lead to gathering a larger number of people, have in some way been canceled," said Jukic.

The Sinjska Alka has run since 1715, both in war and in peace, but rarely in such circumstances.

"It was rescheduled once during an epidemic, as it was during cholera in 1855, so instead it took place in October," said Monika Vrgoc, director of the Sinj Tourist Board.

The 305th Sinjska Alka will be held on Sunday and will be followed by the entire state leadership.

Source: Dalmacija Danas, RTL

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August 1, 2020 - This year's 305th Sinjska Alka, which will take place on August 9, will be limited to a maximum of 1,000 spectators, and tickets will not be on sale, says the Alka Knights Society.

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that this news was decided by the Board of Directors of the Alka Knights Society. The Alka administration concluded that, due to prescribed and recommended epidemiological measures caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, it will organize this year's Alka much different than before, which includes a significant reduction in the number of seats in the stands.

The number of spectators will be limited to all three final performances, the Bara, Coja and Alka itself. How the tickets will be distributed and for how many spectators, the Alka administration will decide later, all in agreement with epidemiologists.

Representatives of the Alka Knights and the Civil Protection Headquarters of Sinj spoke about the organization of this year's Alka with the leadership of the National Civil Protection Headquarters, i.e., with the Director of the Headquarters and Deputy Prime Minister Davor Bozinovic and his associates.

Due to the escalation of new coronavirus cases in the Sinj area, epidemiologists believed that this year's Alka should be held without an audience.

In the Alka ranks, it was estimated that at best, every second or third seat could be used in the stands. Epidemiologists are by no means inclined to do so, so they accepted that there should be a maximum of a thousand spectators in the Alka stands, properly distributed.

Keeping the distance will also be reflected in the composition of the ceremonial Alka Lodge. There will certainly be places for the main guests: President Zoran Milanovic, who is also the patron of the 305th Alka, President of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandrokovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and the most prominent representative of the military and church authorities, as well as hosts Stipe Jukic, President of Alkar Knights Society, and Kristina Krizanac, Mayor of Sinj.

These seven persons, who should have a place in the first row, will occupy only a small part of the spacious ceremonial lodge, as there will certainly be other dignitaries, but in much smaller numbers than in previous years.

The Board of Directors of the Alka Knights Society calls on the citizens of Sinj and the Alka region, as well as the arriving guests, to implement the recommended epidemiological measures with full responsibility so that the 305th Alka festivities are held in a festive, albeit specific atmosphere, and so that due to the irresponsible behavior of individuals, they would not become the focus of the spread of the virus.

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July 21, 2020 - This year, in a different atmosphere than usual, respecting the recommendations of the National Civil Protection Headquarters and the CNIPH, we can expect a spectacular 305th Sinjska Alka!

The famous knightly competition is preceded by long and thorough preparations. After extensive training at the Sinj Hippodrome and the endless plains of Sinjsko polje, the Alkars have been preparing at the Alkar racetrack since mid-July.

Every day, Monday to Friday, from 6 pm to 8 pm, you have the opportunity to be part of a unique preparation. See the Alkars sharpen their skills and the Alkar stable horses adapt to the lively surroundings and sand of the Alka track.

Despite the summer heat, the rehearsals are always welcoming, and both old and young can sit in the shade of mature chestnut trees to follow the events on and around the racetrack.

As August and the Alka festivities approach, the whole of Sinj is beating to the rhythm of the horses, and. the streets of the city that lives for Alka, under the flag of UNESCO and Croatian and world intangible heritage, are pulsating. It all starts on Friday, August 7, at 5:30 pm with a competition for the 305th Bara. Saturday, August 8, follows with the 305th Čoja, also at 5:30 pm, and on Sunday, August 9, at 4:30 pm, the Alkars fight for the triumphant pennant and their place in theSinjska Alka’s long and rich history.

Entrance to the rehearsals, as well as to Bara and Čoja, is free, with the recommendation to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 meters (audience, performers and staff). Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of these unique events in the world and participate live in the Alka trailer!

June 8, 2020 - The 305th Sinjska Alka will be traditionally held in Sinj this year on Sunday, August 9. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, countless planned events that would gather people en masse have been canceled all over the world, including Croatia. In order to protect human health, all power is delegated to epidemiologists who have been given the authority to prescribe measures and determine behavior in areas under their jurisdiction.

Croatia has somewhat returned to normalcy, but with the recommendation to continue maintaining distance, the main question in Sinj was when and under what conditions the 305th Sinjska Alka would be held. It has run consecutively since 1715, after all. 

This issue troubled members of the Alka Knights Society and the Alka Administration, led by President Dr. Stipe Jukić, who are most responsible for nurturing this segment of cultural heritage that makes Sinj, the Alka region, but also the whole of Croatia, proud. 

Slobodna Dalmacija interviewed Stipe Jukić to find out more.

Due to the favorable movement of the coronavirus epidemic, there are no doubts that this year's Alka will be held. 

"This year's 305th Sinjska Alka will be held according to ancient customs, as required by the written regulations of the Alka Knights Society and oral tradition. We will hold the Alka on August 9, according to the statutory provision that the Alka be held on the first Sunday in August, with Bara and Coja having to be held in the same month. We removed all doubts about the maintenance of this year's Alka, which was especially at the peak of the coronavirus epidemic, when the cancellation of various events began, so we worked out different scenarios for maintaining the continuity of our knightly game," says Dr. Jukić.

Preparations for Alka candidates and flag bearers in the Alka procession usually begin in the second half of May. Have they started yet?

"It is true that the coronavirus pandemic affected the usual movement of things. All Alkar candidates, or at least most, practice riding regularly throughout the year. So it was at the height of the pandemic. Alkars would announce themselves, come to the barn, saddle a horse that is, conditionally speaking, "theirs", and go individually or in a group to ride at the hippodrome, on the nearby Piket or through Sinjsko polje. Every Alkar who truly lives for the Alka trains regularly, as far as his work commitments allow.

Therefore, this year's delay in the start of joint preparations will not affect the training of the Alkars and their horses. That the shortened preparations do not mean an omission, we were convinced during the Ceremonial Sinjska Alka in Vukovar, for which the Alkars prepared for about twenty days, and which, according to the general assessment, was superbly performed in every respect."

When will the candidates gather for the 305th Sinjska Alka?

"Over the next few days, I will hold talks with the Duke of Alkar, Boško Ramljak, and Ivica Filipović Grčić, and then I will convene a session of the Board of Directors of VAD. The first gathering and the start of joint preparations for the Alkar candidates will begin next week."

During the prescribed epidemiological measures, most of the VAD's activities were dormant?

"The Board of Directors did not meet physically for almost two months, but we were in contact almost daily by phone or e-mail, we held telephone sessions and made the necessary decisions. The Sinjska Alka Museum was closed to visitors because visitors could not be expected due to the movement ban. In our Alka stables, activity took place every day because the horses have to eat, drink, be cleaned, new hay has to be put in... We managed to renew some of the horse equipment. During this time, we acquired a dozen new saddles and harness parts. Our phones rang daily. We were called by friends from all parts of Croatia who inquired about holding this year's Alka. Among them was a large number of our sponsors and donors who have already introduced the practice of bringing their business partners from the country and the world to the final Alka festival. We told everyone that we would strive to maintain the Alka under any circumstances, expressing hope that the pandemic would pass and that we would maintain the Alka in the usual atmosphere, with heightened precautions."

In the peak of the pandemic, were different variants of maintaining the Alka worked out just to maintain the continuity of tradition?

"The worst and only inadmissible would be no Alka. We peeked into the Alka’s history and found that the Alka was properly maintained even at the time of the Spanish flu pandemic. That is why we were united in the decision that the Alka must be maintained. At the same time, we knew that if the spread of coronavirus was not curbed, we would have to impose restrictions on performance. So we considered holding the Alka without an audience, raising tribunes only for the Court of Honor and the Duke, but not for spectators, and we also considered reducing the number of participants in the Alka procession to the statutory minimum of eleven spearmen. We worked out all these variants without compromising the ceremony and performance that make the Alka. Thank God, as things stand now, all those variants have gone away and we are preparing to maintain the Alka as usual."

Will there be a full crowd?

"Of course. We will still have contacts with the Civil Protection Headquarters, both local and national. If the pandemic continues to end in our area, Croatia and Europe, there will be no reason not to hold this year's Alka festival in its entirety, which means that the Alkars and Alkar boys will hold another commemorative event in front of a crowded audience and crowded streets of our city."

When, in that case, can we expect ticket sales for this year's Sinjska Alka?

"Along the dirt track of the Alkar racetrack, the assembly of grandstands for the auditorium with a capacity of 5,000 seats will begin in July. When epidemiologists definitely confirm to us that we can prepare for the maintenance of the Alka under normal conditions, we will announce ticket sales. We will put about 3500 of them on sale because we have to set aside about 1500 tickets for our sponsors, donors and guests. Last year, we sold tickets online for the first time and had a positive experience. Therefore, we will apply this practice this year as well. This year's Alka should be held in a calmer political atmosphere, as presidential elections were held at the end of last year, and parliamentary elections will be held in July."

For years, the most prominent state officials have appeared at the Alka. Are you expecting them on August 9 for the 305th edition?

"It is already a tradition for the Alka to be held under the auspices of the head of state. In this context, we asked the newly elected President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, to be the patron of the 305th Sinjska Alka, which he gladly accepted. The delegation of the Alka administration invited President Milanović to personally attend this year's Alka and we received a promise that he would come.

Of course, we also invited the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and the President of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković, as well as numerous other high-ranking guests and guests from the political, public, cultural and economic life of Croatia.

The July elections will play the most crucial role in the composition of this year's guests. Regardless of everything, we will be happy to host them all on Alka Day, because we receive all well-wishers at the Alka Feast with an open heart."

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May 28, 2020 -It's official - the 305th Sinjska Alka will be held on August 9, 2020. 

Dalmacija Danas reports that a meeting was held on Wednesday in the Croatian Parliament, where the President of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković received the Mayor of the City of Sinj Kristina Križanac and a delegation of the Knights of Alkar Society, led by the President of the VAD Stipe Jukić.

At the meeting, they informed President Jandroković about the preparations for the 305th Sinjska Alka, which will take place on August 9, 2020, thanked him for his many years of support, and sent him an invitation to this year's Alka festivities.

On the same day, a meeting was held in Banski dvori, where Prime Minister Andrej Plenković received the Mayor of Sinj Kristina Križanac and a delegation of the Knights of Alkar Society Sinj led by President Stipe Jukić and Alkar Duke Boško Ramljak. At the meeting, the Government was informed about the preparations for this year's 305th Sinj Alka.

The Mayor and the VAD delegation thanked the Government and Prime Minister Plenković for the financial support so far in the implementation of projects important for the functioning of the Alkar Society, as well as the continuous financial assistance related to the work of the Sinjska Alka Museum and Alkar Stud Farm.

Prime Minister Plenković expressed his gratitude to the City of Sinj and the Knights of Alka Society and emphasized that by supporting the Sinj Alka we jointly promote Croatian cultural heritage, values and national identity and that the Government will continue to support the City of Sinj and the Sinj Alka through the Ministry of Culture and other departments.

Along with the Mayor of Sinj Kristina Križanac and the President of the Knights of Alkar Society Stipe Jukić, both meetings with the President of the Parliament and the Prime Minister were attended by the Guardian of the Shrine of Our Lady of Sinj Fr. Ante Čovo, Deputy President of VAD Dinko Bošnjak, arambaša Ivo Vukasović, member of the Board of Directors of VAD Igor Vidalina and member of the Court of Honor Tomislav Župić, as well as the President of the Supervisory Board of VAD Hrvoje Markulin.

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October 28, 2019 - As part of the ongoing tourism promotion of the Croatian National Tourist Board and the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, in cooperation with the Sinj Tourist Board, distinguished German journalists, including Frank Störbrauck (reisenEXKLUSIV), Bernd-Uwe Gutknecht (Bayerischer Rundfunk). Moni Birk (Hessischer Rundfunk), Tonia Sorrentino (Freelancer for WZ), Marit Blossey (MitVergnügen Berlin), and Friedrich Reip (Freelancer for FUNKE Media), accompanied by PR manager from Lieb Management Anja Kloss, visited Sinj.

The esteemed journalists were accompanied by Anita Birimiš, a tourist guide from the Split Society of Tourist Guides, and Monika Vrgoč, director of the Sinj Tourist Board, who introduced them to the geographical, historical and cultural features of the city, the shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, the Sinj Alka and the importance of the city of Sinj locally and nationally.

The purpose of their arrival to this part of Inland Dalmatia was to visit the Museum of the Sinj Alka, as well as the tourist offer and potentials of the City of Sinj and the Cetina Region. 

The Museum Alka of Sinj received another valuable recognition, "The best in heritage 2019", for its exhibition and work. The award was presented to them in Dubrovnik, where the Annual Review of Award-winning Museum, Heritage and Conservation Projects of the World was organized by Europa Nostra (support for the Creative Europe program), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and with the help of the City of Dubrovnik and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia.

The contribution to the city of Sinj and the Museum Alka of Sinj, through which Branimir Župić curated the exhibition, will be published in magazines, as well as on various social networks and blog posts.

The Sinj Tourist Board would like to thank everyone who contributed to this fruitful collaboration.

August 4, 2019 - On Sunday, the 304th Sinjska Alka was held at the Alka Racetrack in Sinj. 

The winner of the 304th Sinjska Alka is Frano Ivković from Brnaze, who collected a total of seven hits in three races. In the first race, Ivković hit for one point and nailed the next two in the middle, which led him to the victory. Tin Radanović came in second, just one point behind Ivković. 

Frano Ivković will also be remembered for winning the 300th Sinjska Alka. 

The Sinjska Alka is a traditional knight's tournament commemorating the victory over the Turks in 1715, which takes place on the first Sunday in August. President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, as well as Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic and Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić were all in attendance on Sunday. 

More soon...

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Alkar Ante Zorica from Hrvace won the 304th Bara, the first competition of this year's Sinjska Alka festivities.  

Zorica won by eight points, with two hits in the middle and one hit worth two points. The Alkar Duke tied two meters of green cloth to his winning spear, a symbol of victory at the Bara. Zorica also won a bronze plaque for himself and his Alkar boy, and even received a cash prize from the Alkar Knights Society of 15,000 kuna, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on August 2, 2019.

Zorica was born in 1984 and is from the town of Hrvace. By education, he is an administrative lawyer employed by the Red Cross City Society in Sinj as a director. Zorica is an accomplished rider and the third Alkar from his family. He is a trainer at the Gallop Club "Vreba" in Hrvace. He made his debut at the Sinjska Alka in 2005 though he finally held a spear in the competition in 2008.

Zorica is the most celebrated Alkar among the active participants today. He is the winner of the 294th, 296th and 298th Sinjska Alka and the ceremonial Sinjska Alka in Vukovar. In his trophy treasure trove, Zorica had previously won the Bara in 2009. 

The competition for the 304th Bara was held in front of more than 5,000 spectators. The ceremonial lodge included the leaders of the Alkar Knights Society, civil and military authorities and their guests, led by VAD President Dr. Stipe Jukić, Sinj Mayor Kristina Križanac, and Major Dražen Mazalin, Commander of the Engineering Battalion from the barracks of the 12th HV Brigade.

In the Bara competition, the Alkars achieved excellent results in hitting the alka target. In the first and third races, they nailed a total of 22 punts. In the first race, they marked the middle three times, and in the third, only one run missed the smallest alka circle. The second race was fantastic. The Alkars hit a total of 31, nailing five in the middle, four for two points and eight for one point, without a single miss. 

On Saturday, starting at 5:30 pm, the Čoja competition will be held. Before the competition, around 30 historical military units from Croatia and the neighboring countries will parade through the streets of Sinj and the Alka racetrack.

The central Sinjska Alka competition will be held on Sunday at 4:30 pm. 

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July 31, 2019 - On August 3, the day before the celebration of the 304th Sinjska Alka, and on the eve of the Čoje celebration, a march of 28 historic troops from all over the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy will take place.

This incredible display of historical heritage will include: 

- Honorary Protective Battalion of the Croatian Army
- Kravat Regiment Zagreb
- Bjelovar Border Guards - Husari
- Military Historical Unit Serežani – Županja
- Croatian Brotherhood - Bokelj Navy 809
- Zrinska garda Čakovec
- Turopolje bandiera
- Križevci Women's Guard
- Bakar City Guard 1848
- Hajduk Society of Mijat Tomić - Tomislavgrad (BIH)
- Dubrovnik Muskateers
- Šibenik City Guard
- Vrana Knights - Pakoštane
- Klis Uskoks
- Sartigla – Oristano (ITA)
- Streličari Ballestra -San Sepolcro (ITA)
- Kumpanjija – Smokvica (Korčula)
- Kumpanjija - Blato (Korčula)
- City Guard Požega
- Samobor National Guard.
-  Karlovac Guard
- 10. Company Ivanić Grad
- Varaždin Civil Guard
- Poljica prince – Society Poljica „sv.Jure“ – Priko (Omiš)
- Association „sv.Klement“ Sitno
- Slavonian Queen „Ljelje“ – Gorjanci (Đakovo)
- Honorary Protective Battalion of the Croatian Army
- Alkaruše – Sinj Majorettes

The program lasts all day. From 11 am, traditional and military customs will be performed by the Croatian Brotherhood - Bokelj Navy 809, including the Bokelj Round in honor of the Miraculous Lady Sinj, Honorary Guard Battalion of the HV and archers from San Sepolcro, accompanied by the City Music of Sinj and the Sinj Majorettes “Alkaruše”. In the afternoon, the entire procession passes through the city and the Alkar racetrack from 4:30 pm.

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In the evening portion of the program, as part of the 10th Sinj Village Fair, from 8:30 pm on Dr. Franjo Tudjman Square, traditional dances and songs will be performed by Kumpanjija from Smokvica - Tanac, Slavonian Queen Ljelje, and Kumpanjija from Blato - Dance of Colors. Admission is free!