April 27, 2021 - The 2021 Sudamja program in May will not feature the famous 19th Sveti Duje Legends Regatta on the Split waterfront. Instead, the famous rowing event has been moved to September. 

Namely, the 19th International Sveti Duje Regatta will not be held for the second year in a row due to epidemiological measures.

This rowing regatta has established itself as a recognizable sports and tourist attraction that greatly contributes to the international promotion of Split and the University of Split. On the first day on the race track in Spinut, spectators have the opportunity to see the clash of the best European university eights, which increased from year to year. At the same time, Spinut is the only place where the original crews of Oxford and Cambridge take part, after rowing in the famous Thames race in London in April. Split is technically the only place for a rematch, which gives this regatta additional charm.

The second day of the regatta revives the legends of Split, Oxford, and Cambridge at the city port on the 222-meter long regatta track. The sprint discipline was created for spectators gathered on the Riva. In addition to being accepted as a social event with a series of fun activities, the Sveti Duje Regatta has in recent years been profiled as an event that connects established businesses and professionals from different spheres and parts of the world.

Luka Grubor, an Oxford legend, a gold Olympian in Sydney, and a member of the Sveti Duje International Rowing Regatta committee, spoke about postponing the event this year for Dalmacija Danas.

"The epidemiological situation in Croatia and the whole of Europe is such that it has not left us much choice. We planned to hold the regatta respecting all measures by adapting the "bubble" system, which proved to be a good solution in several sports competitions. However, the successful holding of this regatta largely depends on the possibility of university crews arriving by plane to Croatia. Croatia's air connections with the rest of Europe are poor at this time. Before COVID-19, Easter meant the beginning of the tourist season and introducing new flights to Split. It's different now. Eights come from more than ten European countries, and it would not be possible for everyone to come to Split during the regatta, so we decided to postpone the regatta to September. The tradition and size of this regatta do not allow it to be held in a truncated edition. We are aware of how much this regatta means to university eights, and we know that they enjoy participating in this regatta not only because of the beauty of Split but also because of the strong competition."

Why September?

"Just as early May is the end of the winter rowing season and the time just after the boat race, late September is the beginning of the fall training and racing season. It is ideal for a new generation of university teams to weigh in before they get into tough preparations for next season. An additional reason is the cancellation of the European University Games, which were supposed to be held in Belgrade this year, so the interest in our regatta has further increased. Students are eager for quality competition and socializing. We chose the weekend of September 25th and 26th for the date. That is the week before the start of the academic year, the student teams will then already be together, and even the individuals who will be competing in the Olympics this summer. There was an idea to hold the Regatta a week earlier, in the same week that marks the Split Sports Day (note in memory of the opening day of the 8th Mediterranean Games - MIS 79). Still, that weekend the Croatian Rowing Championship is held in Zagreb. September will definitely be this year's rowing month in Croatia."

The Split Marathon and the Legend Regatta on the same day?

"Our projects share the same values. We are in contact with the organizers of the Split Marathon, and there will be no overlap of programs. The passage of all runners through the finish line on the Riva is expected at 11:30 at the latest, and the Race of Legends will not start until noon. A real sports festival awaits the people of Split this weekend. It will pay off to go down to the Riva and enjoy that day, as the day before on the pirate pontoon when the university eights row."

The race will be in a different guise this year?

"The Boat race did not run at the traditional Championship Course in London this year to prevent people from gathering along the river. Last year there was no rowing at all due to epidemiological reasons. Under normal conditions, the race attracts over 400,000 spectators along a nearly 7-kilometer-long regatta course. The race was transferred to the Great Ouse River in a rural part of England, near the town of Ely about twenty kilometers from Cambridge. Cambridge won both the men’s and women’s categories. It is the second time in the long history of the race that it paddled on this river. It was first held there in 1944 during World War II when Oxford was more successful. This is proof of how difficult it is to plan any event for the duration of these extreme and limiting living conditions, but traditions like the Boat Race always find a way and a path. This tradition and the fact that this weave has been held 166 times regardless of historical challenges and adversities brings popularity to the Boat race. I must point out that the organization of the Boat Race this year is a great inspiration to our team because of everything they have done to maintain their sporting rivalry and the continuity of the race. It is amazing to what extent they have worked out the details to prepare, and the race itself meets all the epidemiological measures.

The contribution of this event to the development of Croatian tourism certainly cannot be measured by the number of realized overnight stays, as in the cases of other sports events. The organizers point out that 25% of the participants in this Regatta return to the Adriatic at least once a year, and 12% of the competitors, mostly "Legends," have visited Split at least 10 times in the last 7 years. Last year obviously left enough time for the organizers to think. They announce that the focus of the Regatta will always be on rowing. Still, they also plan to organize an international conference emphasizing the connection between amateur sports, professional careers, and the business world.

Namely, many rowing legends and rowing and university alumni, in general, have interesting and colorful careers after sports. It happened spontaneously that this Regatta regularly brings together top experts from several sectors, from investment to medicine, and has become a true platform that brings together top professionals. The co-founders of Facebook, the Winklevoss brothers, the current owners of the Gemini Exchange, Ante Kušurin, the vice president of the American fund One Equity Partners, and many others also took part in this sporting event.

This loyalty of our participants to Croatia and Split, the profile of such visitors, strong promotion in specific markets is a significant criterion that we must consider when mentioning the impact of the sports community on Croatian tourism or other sectors of the economy. The promotion of Croatia in the international business network is something in which we as an event can be the best. The plan is to establish a "Legends Club," which includes sports legends who rowed at the regatta in Split, and alumni are Oxford, Cambridge, and other universities. The "Legends Club" will be the organizer of this international conference," concluded Luka Grubor.

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April 17, 2021 - The Sudamja 2021 event has been announced to commemorate Split City Day, celebrated on May 7 each year. 

"The feeling of belonging to Sv. Duje, the patron saint of our Split, will remain the same even though this year, due to the pandemic, traditional events within Sudamja 2021 will be absent," said Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara about the celebration of Sv. Duje - Split City Day 2021.

The secular part of the celebration of the most important city holiday will be adapted to the circumstances and current epidemiological measures. Thus, on May 6, a ceremony will be held at the Croatian National Theater in Split, where the City will present awards to this year's laureates. Following the circumstances and without major gatherings, the holiday will be celebrated within the city institutions.

The "Judita" exhibition on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Marulić's first edition of Judita will open in the renovated Old Town Hall on Pjaca, and in the Diocletian Gallery of the Split City Museum, visitors can enjoy an exhibition on Italian design "Rosso, il colore della passione", realized in cooperation with the Consulate General Italy. Concerts for a limited number of spectators, which are broadcast online, will continue at the Hrvatski Dom concert hall. On May 3, a concert featuring Matej Meštrović and Kristina Bjelopavlović Cesar, and on May 5, 2021, opera soloists Valentina Fijačko Kobić and Domagoj Dorotić was announced.

This year, like last year when we were hit by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no traditional events such as the raffle, concerts on the waterfront, fish market spectacles, or the regatta of rowing legends. There will also be no Sv. Križ Feast, nor the performances of Split singing groups on the Riva.

As part of the Novena, which begins on April 28, the Archdiocese of Split and Makarska will hold daily Mass at 6 pm, which will be broadcast live on TV Laudato and social networks. Archbishop Coadjutor Msgr. Dražen Kutleša will lead the Central Mass. Following epidemiological circumstances, there will be multiple Holy Masses on the feast of Sv. Duje. The first will be held at 7 am and 8 am before the Central Mass, which starts at 10 am and will be broadcast live on HTV, and at 16:00, 18:00, and 20:00.

On behalf of the Split-Makarska Archdiocese, the Vicar General thanked the Committee members for their cooperation and wished and prayed that next year the feast of Sv. Duje would return as usual. 

Source: City of Split Facebook

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May 7, 2020 - The City of Split traditionally celebrates its patron saint, Sv. Duje, on May 7. 

Split City Day is here, when the citizens honor and celebrate Split’s protector -  Sv. Duje. 

But who is Sv. Duje, anyway? 

Also known as Saint Domnius, Saint Dujam, Saint Duje, Saint Domnio, Saint Doimus, or Saint Domninus, our Sv. Duje was born in today's Syria and was an early Christian bishop of the Roman city of Salona, the capital of the Roman province Dalmatia. Emperor Diocletian ordered Duje’s arrest in AD304, and he was executed along with other martyrs in Salona's amphitheater. Buried outside of the city walls, his grave became a place of worship.

While one might find it ironic that our Duje is the protector of the town founded by the emperor who executed him, it is perhaps even more peculiar that Emperor Diocletian’s mausoleum was converted into the Sv. Duje Cathedral, which is regarded as the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world that remains in use in its original structure.

The Sv. Duje Cathedral stands proud in the heart of the Old Town, and it only makes sense that the City Day celebrations begin here, where the Croatian flag is raised on top of the cathedral's bell tower.

Religious or not, this act highlights the bond Split citizens share with Sv. Duje, as it represents an identification with the city's heritage.

Split’s City Day celebration is usually a grand affair named ‘Sudamja’, which gathers thousands of Split citizens in the city center on May 7. From fairs to concerts, fireworks to bingo, folklore dances to exhibitions and regattas - Sv. Duje is the celebration of all celebrations in this ancient Croatian city. 

However, the highlight is the centuries-old procession, held on the morning of May 7. While Sv. Duje’s relics were once carried around the entire old town, today, the procession begins at Peristyle in front of the Cathedral and continues to the Riva, where Holy Mass is held.

This year, however, as the world is rattled by the corona crisis, a more modest Sv. Duje celebration awaits. While no gatherings of large groups are allowed, and we are still adhering to strict measures by the National Civil Protection Headquarters, this year, Sudamja is coming to our homes. 

"The traditional festival on the occasion of the feast of  Sv. Duje has for years awakened in us a spirit of togetherness and belonging. Guided by the message of the #TogetherInSplit campaign, together, many got involved in creating projects to give their fellow citizens a different celebration of City Day.

At 10 am on HRT, you can follow the Holy Mass from the Sv. Duje Cathedral, and in the afternoon, at 6:20 pm, enjoy the recording of the Petar Grašo concert in the empty Peristyle, which brings a touch of optimism, light and celebration, organized by the City of Split, the Split Tourist Board with partners Dalmatian Concert and OTP Bank.

The Sv. Duje balcony party has been organized by Fabrique pub with partners Apodos agency, photo studio Smile and the Split Tourist Board. From 5 pm to 8 pm, the moving stage will tour the neighborhoods of Split where Marko Pecotić Peco and his band will sing Dalmatian hits. Go out to your windows and balconies and send a video message of unity to the world on our City Day.

The Split City Museum, Croatian National Theater Split, KUD Jedinstvo, Music Youth of Split, Ethnographic Museum, Center for Culture and Lifelong Education Zlatna Vrata, Collegium Split through history and many others have also joined in on the virtual fun, and dedicated their publications to the importance of tradition to preserve the unity and identity of one city," says the Split Tourist Board.

For more information, visit the Facebook pages of the City of Split and the Split Tourist Board.

Happy Sv. Duje to all!

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This year's central celebration of Sv. Duje, also known as ‘Sudamja’ and the Day of the City of Split, will be held on Monday and Tuesday, May 6 and 7, with a commemorative and vibrant program, reports Splitski Dnevnik on May 4, 2019. 

The traditional Sv. Duje fair will be held on the Riva on Monday and Tuesday. The Sv. Duje celebration officially begins by placing flowers on the graves of the deceased Split mayors at Lovrinac Cemetary on Monday at 8:30 am and will continue with the ceremony of the City Council at the Croatian National Theater at 10 am, where the City Awards will be awarded to this year's laureates. At noon, the anniversary of the Public Protest will be marked by raising the flag of the Republic of Croatia before Banovina. 

In the evening part of the program, the reliquary will open and will be followed by a festive party. Then, to mark the 40th anniversary of Diocletian's Palace and the historical core of Split on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List, at Peristyle, guests can enjoy a series of historical units and associations of non-material cultural heritage from all over Croatia, led by KUD-Jedinstvo, our Split-centennial!

The feast of Sv. Duje begins on Tuesday with the City Musicians of Split in the streets of the city. In Peristyle, at 10 am, the procession will begin on the Riva, where the Holy Mass will be celebrated.

The sounds of the Dubrovački trombunjeri will be heard from Matejuška, and two thousand portions of lamb with peas will be distributed at the Split Fish Market.

After the traditional ‘tombula’ on the big stage on the Riva, the ‘Key of Life’ concert will be held, featuring ten performers: Neno Belan, Gibonni, Tedi Spalato, Doris Dragović, Goran Karan, Jole, Guliano & Diktatori, Tiho Orlić, Dalmatino and Domenica.

The concert, which will be broadcast directly by HTV this year, has a humanitarian character and will raise funds for Children's Traumatology at the Department of Physical Medicine of Split KBC.

The festival will, like every year, end with a fireworks show. 

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

April 27, 2019 - Our favorite time of the year is right around the corner! Sudamja, better known as Sv. Duje, is traditionally held each year on May 7 to celebrate the patron saint of Split. This year, the people of Split and their guests can enjoy a plethora of events from April 26 to May 9. 

Today, we have the full program for you, in English, courtesy of the Split Tourist Board. Mark your calendars!

Sv. Duje 2019

15 March – 5 May 2019:  10 am at Lučica Spinut - Boules Tournament ‘In honour of St. Domnius of Split’ 

26 April 2019:  8 pm on the Riva - Majorettes of Split, Elektrodalmacija Mixed Choir, Trio Sol group Concert

27 April 2019: 8 pm on the Riva - Majorettes of Split, Bye, Bye group Concert

28 April 2019: 8 pm on the Riva - Klapa Kontra, Pop Art group concert

28 April - 5 May 2019: 7 pm  to 8 pm at th Cathedral of St. Domnius: Novena in honour of St. Domnius: - holy Mass and Sermon - spiritual music concert

29 April 2019: 5 pm at the Bol-Plokite Library - Opening of the exhibition Diocletian's Palace and the Historic town Centre

29 April 2019: 8 pm on the Riva: Filip Dević Folklore Society concert 

29 and 30 April 2019: 10 am at the Croatian Maritime Museum Maritime: Split in the Time of Emperor Diocletian - workshop

29 April – 5 May 2019: Poljud bowling club 2nd International bowling tournament St. Domnius

29 April - 10 May 2019: Banovina atrium - Exhibition of Split kindergarten children's works ‘My Town In My Heart’

30 April - 5 May 2019: All day on the Riva - Domestic Split Festival

30 April 2019: 10 am at the Ravne njive library - Model of the palace ‘The city was born out of the palace’

30 April 2019: 10 am on the Riva - Children's programme ‘Let the waterfront be decked with flowers’

30 April 2019: 4.30 – 9.30 pm on the Riva - Waste is not garbage!

1 - 7 May 2019: Brda Chess Club - Open Chess Tournament Sudamja 2019

1 May 2019: 8 pm on the Riva - Brodosplit Folklore Association concert 

2 May 2019: 10 am at the Marulić Department for Children and Youth - The story of the Cityeducative presentation

2 May 2019: 12.00 pm at the Ethnographic Museum Split - Opening of the exhibition HUNCHBACKED MOTHER, BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, FRANTIC GRANDCHILDREN - on VINE, GRAPES AND WINE Authors: Ida Jakšić and Ivana Vuković

2 May 2019: 6 pm at the City Youth Theatre - Promotion of J. Škare's book Druge beside

2 May 2019: 7 pm in Diocletian’s Palace south-eastern tower (Hrvojeva) - The opening of the photo exhibition New Horizons

2 May 2019: 8 pm at the Art Gallery: Inauguration of the sculptor's setting in the museum environment: Slavomir Drinković, Knot, 1987, 1999 Gorki Žuvela, On behalf of myself, 2014 Kosta Bogdanovic, Hephaestos pillar, in 1987

2 May 2019: 8 pm at the Croatian National Theatre Split - Evening of Dalmatian Klapa

2 May 2019: 8 pm on the Riva - Providenca group concert 

2 and 3 May 2019: 8.30 pm at Uvodića širina - The Feast of the Holy Cross

3 - 5 May 2019: 9th International Cup of St. Domnius in sport fishing

3 May 2019: 9 am at the Croatian rowing club Gusar - Open Championship of Split-Dalmatia County for Primary and Secondary Schools

3 May 2019: 10 am at the Dioklecijan Gallery - Opening the exhibition Churches in the Historical Core

3 May 2019: 11 am at Matejuška - Inauguration of the sculptor's setting in the natural environment: Slavomir Drinkovic, Let me pass

3 May 2019: 8 pm in the Diocletian Palace substructures - The opening of the Festival of Flowers

3 May 2019: 8 pm at the Medical School Hall - Concert of the Symphony Orchestra of Students at the University of Utrecht, Kingdom of the Netherlands

3 May 2019: 8 pm on the Riva - Jedinstvo Folklore Society concert

3 May 2019: 9 pm at the Meštrović Gallery - Opening ceremony of the 18th International Rowing Regatta of St. Domnius

3 and 4 May 2019: 8 pm at the Croatian National Theatre - Operetta Spli'ski akvarel

4 May 2019: 9 am at the Croatian Rowing Club Gusar - International Rowing Regatta of universities

4 May 2019: St. Domnius Regatta 

4 May 2019: 10 am on the Riva - The Srce Association Programme on the National Day of Cerebral Paralysis "Heart on the Waterfront"

4 May 2019: 11 am at the Old City Hall - Opening of the exhibition Behind the Closed Doors Motives of Split from the holdings of the Art Gallery

4 May 2019: 12 pm at the Croatian National Theatre Split - Celebration on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Association of Craftsmen Split

4 May 2019: 3-7 pm at Matejuška - Gastro offer of Croatian craftsmen

4 May 2019: 8 pm at the Medical School Hall - Concert of Brodosplit and Gladsaxe Folkekor choirs

4 May 2019: 8 pm on the Riva - Disco Inferno Magic group concert

4 and 5 May 2019: Poljud Swimming Pool - Swim Contest ‘Grdelini sv. Duje’

4 and 5 May 2019: Regatta Split 1700- class optimist

4 May 2019: 8.30 pm Peristil - Sudamja Fest - concert of spiritual music in honour of St. Domnius

4 May 2019: 9 pm at Gat sv. Nikole - Announcement of the winner of the university rowing racing in Spinut and Lighthouse disco

5 May 2019: 12.30 pm at the City Port -18th St. Domnius International Boat Race of the Legends: OxfordCambridge-Split

5 May 2019: 1.30 pm at Peristil - Announcing the winner of a rowing legends race

5 May 2019: 8 pm on the Riva - Flores Aquestic group concert

6 May 2019: 10 pm at the Croatian National Theatre Split - The City Council's solemn session and the city awards ceremony

6 May 2019: 12 pm at Banovina - Anniversary celebration 

6 May 2019: 6 pm at the Cathedral of St. Domnius - Opening of the reliquary of St. Domnius and the festive Evening Mass

6 May 2019: 7 pm at thee Marko Marulić City Library - Opening of watercolor exhibition St. Duje, the star over Split

6 May 2019: 7.30 pm at Peristil - Festival of historical forces and organizations of intangible cultural heritage

6 May 2019: 8 pm on the Riva - Classical Evening: Music Forever and Spalato Quartets

6 May 2019: 9 pm at Peristil-HrvojevaMarmontova-Trg Gaje Bulata - Parade of brass bands, historical forces, and organizations of intangible cultural heritage

6 and 7 May 2019: All day on the Riva - Sudamja (St. Domnius Day) Fair

7 May 2019: 10 am at Peristil - Riva - The ceremonial procession and the holy mass at Riva

7 May 2019: 12.15 pm at Matejuška - Dubrovnik thrombus salvo

7 May 2019: 12.30 pm at the Fish Market - Food and Drink Feast

7 May 2019: 5.30 pm on the Riva - Humanitarian Swimming Marathon from Island Šolta to Split 'Dina for Basketball Players'

7 May 2019: 5.30 pm on the Riva - Concert of Filip Dević Mixed Klapa

7 May 2019: 6.30 pm on the Riva - Traditional Split Tombola

7 May 2019: 8.05 pm on the Riva - Humanitarian Concert for the City Day The Key to Life Fireworks

8 May 2019: 8 pm at the Croatian National Theatre Split - Ivo Tijardović Mala Floramye, operetta

9 May 2019: 9 am at Marjan - Raising the European Flag on the Day of Europe

9 – 13 May 2019: All day on the Riva - Spalatum Expo-Festival Destinations

9 May 2019: 7 pm at the ‘General-Major Ivo Jelić’ House of Croatian Army - The program of the Split's National Minority Folklore: "The home is where the song is"

9 May 2019: 8 pm at the Croatian National Theatre Split - Leo Delibes Coppelia, ballet

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Are you ready for the Sv. Duje celebrations this year?

A little bit of rain couldn't stop Split from celebrating their patron saint!

The celebrations of the city’s patron continue - here is the overview of today’s events.