September 3, 2021 - There is only one week left until the beginning of the 56th Vinkovci Autumns, which will shine with their old splendor this year. Once again, for ten days, the Vinkovci Autumn will bring a handful of events and show why it is the biggest manifestation of traditional culture in this part of Europe.

Yesterday, the Organizing Committee of Vinkovci Autumns officially presented the program of this year's event, reports HrTurizam. Unlike last year’s which were organized for the first time in special circumstances, the 56th edition takes on a look that everyone is already used to.

It all starts on September 10th with Folklore Evenings that will last until September 15th. 46 societies from Vukovar-Srijem County have registered, 43 will perform at the Folklore Evenings, while three societies will host the State Folklore Festival on September 18th and 19th. The first weekend is reserved for the youngest guardians of traditional culture and the Inter-County Festival of Children's Folklore Groups. 12 counties and the City of Zagreb will participate, and in the Children's Parade on Sunday, September 12, we will be able to see a total of 47 groups.

Slavonski sokak opens its doors on the first day, and as it has always been there, with the support of tamburitza players, you will find a rich offer of domestic and indigenous products of 51 exhibitors. Six winemakers this year will be at the Wine Alley where you will be able to from Monday, September 13, while the next day the main stars will be members of the Folklore Ensemble Lisinski who are celebrating 70 years of existence.

The highlight of the event begins with the grand opening on Friday, September 17th. Saturday is reserved for the National Folklore Festival, and on Sunday we traditionally go to the festive Parade in the city center. The parade of the 56th Vinkovci Autumns will be enriched by 42 local folklore societies and 28 invited societies, which are the highest ever.

Vinkovci is the oldest town in Europe, and it is located 21 km west of Vukovar, 39 km east of Đakovo, and 43 km south of Osijek.

"Thank you to everyone who contributes to Vinkovci Autumns being the biggest event in Croatia and beyond. I hope that we will all adhere to epidemiological measures and try not to endanger anyone. I think we’ve learned to live with that already. A lot is waiting for us, we had to leave something out, but everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the rich content for all ages", said the President of the Organizing Committee, Mayor Ivan Bosančić. He stressed that there will be no tents this year and everything will take place in the open, more precisely on the stage in the city center.

For more information, visit the Vinkovci Autumns official website, or their official Facebook page.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

September 17, 2020 – Beginning today, one of the country's largest and oldest annual folklore events - Vinkovačke Jeseni – finds new ways to continue the music, dancing and preservation of Croatian culture

Of all events requiring a serious rethink because of epidemiological guidelines, folklore is perhaps the most problematic. The traditional folk dancing of Croatia requires participants to be in close proximity. Often, groups are joined by the hand – and hundreds can join in. But, not this year.

Being one of the largest traditional folklore events in the country, Vinkovačke Jeseni (Vinkovci autumn) has had a lot of thinking to do. Having been enjoyed by inhabitants of the eastern Slavonia town every year continuously for over half a century, not to mention many thrilled visitors, cancellation was a last resort. And it's one they have thankfully not reached.

The 55th Vinkovačke Jeseni is going to look very different to previous editions,. But its colourful costumes, wonderful dancing, great music and preservation of Croatian culture can still be enjoyed by all. Only this year, you'll be enjoying it on TV.

Instead of inviting visits by hundreds of folklore societies (KUDs) from across Croatia, for the 55th Vinkovačke Jeseni, the event has visited them. From August 27 to September 4, a special film crew visited all of the counties in the country and made short films with local KUDs about the traditions, culture and customs of each region. These will be shown as video postcards at the ceremonial parade. Made by Plave Vinkovačke televizije (Blue Vinkovci Television), they will also be available for anyone to watch internationally until September 20.

The physical event in Vinkovci will still have its traditional parade of participants, and horse-drawn carriages will still parade through the town, although this year there will only be around 30 KUDs from the wider Vukovar-Srijem County in attendance. The opening event will take place on the main square and this year there will be no large tent for nighttime revelry.



All photos from previous editions of Vinkovci Autumns © Vinkovačke Jeseni

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September 14, 2019 - For the 54th year, the Vinkovci Autumn event will proudly preserve and nurture the customs and cultural heritage of Croatia.

Goran Rihelj of HRTurizam writes that from September 13 to 22, Vinkovci Autumn will offer the best display of Slavonian customs in an effort to preserve them - and this renowned and well-known folklore, tourist, economic and cultural event will attract around 100,000 visitors.

In addition to the vibrant traditional and cultural program that is the foundation of the event, there is also an enticing gastronomy and entertainment program: from the best Slavonian specialties to souvenirs, a variety of accompanying programs, a wine town, craft beer festival, conferences and various concerts every day.

Since 1970, as part of Vinkovci Autumn, young folklore groups also have their place in cultural and artistic societies, and by learning from their elders, they nurture and preserve the tradition and heritage of their towns. 

In order to show what they learned and rehearsed during the year, and as worthy heirs to the older guardians of traditional heritage, children's folklore groups from all counties of Croatia, as well as the diaspora, will arrive in Vinkovci, where two days are dedicated only to them. 

Thus, the Children’s Vinkovci Autumn, as this two-day event of children’s folklore groups is called, takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 14th and 15th, featuring the most festive of folk costumes and customs. Rihelj adds that the Children's Vinkovci Autumn guarantees the survival of this event as a whole, and that this year, the Children's Vinkovci Autumn will feature 3,000 small participants, with over 60 children's folklore groups.

Vinkovačke jeseni Facebook

Vinkovci Autumn offers one of the biggest stages of original traditional Croatian folklore, with about 8000 participants in total. The theme of this year's event is "Three dear words", in regards to Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem.

The most spectacular event will take place on the last day, when 75 KUDs and folklore groups from the country and the diaspora, 30 horse-drawn carriages and about 50 riders, or almost 4,500 participants, will parade the streets of the city in a ceremonial march. 

Find out more about Vinkovci Autumn here.

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