Croatian klapa groups from abroad to perform free concert in Zagreb

(Photo credit: Roberta.F/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Meeting of Croatian klapa groups from outside the Republic of Croatia, organized by Hrvatska matica iseljenika (Croatian Heritage Foundation), to take place on 11 June. 

Based on the successful experience of previous meetings of Croatian klapa groups outside Croatia, both in the homeland and worldwide where Croats reside, the Croatian Heritage Foundation has decided to once again bring together Croatian klapa groups from around the world, providing them with an opportunity to present themselves and to explore the beauties of Croatia during their stay.

The rich program of events, held under the high patronage of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, will feature eight klapa groups, promising a truly spectacular show for the fans of this centuries-old musical expression at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb.

An outstanding repertoire will be presented by the women’s klapa group Kćeri Hrvatske from Stuttgart, which has been performing at numerous international gatherings for years. There is also Klapa Valovi from Buenos Aires, whose members are daughters and granddaughters of Croats who migrated to Argentina. In 2018, their work was recognized with the Charter of the Republic of Croatia, awarded by the former president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović. 

Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb where the meeting will take place

The excellent women’s vocal ensemble, Klapa Biseri from Hungary, includes both traditional klapa songs and those from the repertoire of the Croatian community in Burgenland. They are one of the finest women’s Croatian klapa groups outside the homeland, just like Klapa Hrvatske Katoličke Župe “Croatia” from Munich, renowned for their performances of sacred klapa compositions. 

The popular vocal group from neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, Klapa Zvizdan, will also be present, as well as the intriguingly named Klapa Dalmari, formed from a wordplay on “Dalmacija” and “Maribor.” The fact that they were specifically hired by Oliver Dragojević for his grand performance at the Križanke in Ljubljana in 2016 speaks volumes about them. 

The well-known and award-winning Klapa Dišpet and Klapa Stine will represent klapa groups from Croatia at the Meeting of Croatian Klapa Groups Outside Croatia.

The concert at the Croatian National Theatre on 11 June 2023 is free of charge for all guests, and tickets can be reserved at the Croatian Heritage Foundation. 

More info is available on the website www.matis.hr and the official Facebook page.