Today is a public holiday in Croatia which is a memorial to its War of Independence, celebrated on 5th August each year. On that date in 1995 the Croatian Army took the city of Knin during Operation Storm, which brought an end to the Republic of Serbian Krajina, a self-proclaimed Serb entity in Croatia.
The main celebration is centered in Knin where there are festivities commemorating the event, beginning with a mass and laying of wreaths in honor of those who died in the war, and continuing with parades and concerts. The event in Cavoglave is a concert Marko 'Thompson' Perkovic has organised to celebrate the day by providing a free concert with some fellow well known Croation musicians. The event is attended by thousands of people and starts around 10am with a mass and concludes in the early hours of the morning. Thompson as he is widely known is a well loved musician to Croatians all over the world and has a massive following. His music is generally about Religion, Family and his beloved homeland, Croatia and was a blazing torch of hope through his music during the war in the early 90s. He has a massive following and in excess of 50,000 people are expected to attend throughout the day to this free event in a town which is with all due respect in the middle of nowhere about 50mins inland from Sibenik and about 40kms south of Knin and is also his birthplace adding to the significance and emotion of the day. He was actually in the armed forces and involved in defending his birthplace.
Here we are today, driving through some of the villages that had been affected, during the war. We could see some of the damaged/bombed homes, still standing in the form that they were destroyed a decade or so ago. It was a little earry and very emotional to still see so many damaged homes and villages. However it was refreshing to see all the new homes that have been built in these villages, side by side to the ones that have been destroyed, and these people stand proud, with almost every home, displaying the Croatian flag, flying high and mighty. It really was a proud sight to see, especially today.
On our drive into Cavoglave, we stopped at a little town called Drnis, about 20 minutes drive away, found accommodation at the only hotel in the area called Hotel Park. We were lucky we got there when we did as we got the last room available. The hotel was lovely and better than we expected. We freshened up and then off we were to the festival/concert.
This was an experience on it's own. People from the homes are lining the streets along the road toward Cavoglave, greeting people coming to the festival. The track/road up to the venue, was all uphill and bumper to bumper traffic, car after car. One lane for cars and the other lane for motor-cycles. We could not believe the number of motor-cycles, let alone the number of bikers. Didn't realise that Croatia had so many bikers. This was bizaar. Also nearly every car had Croatian flags sticking out the window, flying high and proud. Great to see. The other thing was that the streets were also lined with police to elimanate any trouble. It took us around 45 minutes to get up the hill and into the car park - one big open rocky field.
Then we still had a good 20 minute walk to the festival, in 37 degree heat, with a cool breeze. This was saving the day. It is now around 6pm. In we get to the festival grounds and it all starts. Rows and rows of food stalls, whole lambs/pigs being cooked on spits, stalls with other foods, drinks, merchandise, accessories, etc... everywhere.
Once you get through the rows of stalls, it's just one big open area, with a church in the middle. A section set up for the concert, a section set up with a stage area that folk dancing groups were performing on and a massive marque with lots and lots of tables/benches set up overlooking the stage area and the open arena for the concert.
As we make our way to the marque we notice people that we know from Melbourne. Not just 1 or 2, but a whole group of people. We make our way across and are amazed at jusy how many people there are from Melbourne. So we join in and sit with them all. There is so many that they take up at least 5 tables. Everyone here is pumped and having a ball.
The concert started at 9.30pm. First performance was Mate Bulic, then followed a new up and coming Croatian band called Opca Opasnost and then around 11pm Thompson came on. What a buzz. Everyone erupted when he started. The mood was awesome. Croatian flags were flying high everywhere. Crowds screaming and music blazing. Looking around, there was a crowd of about 50,000 people. It was amazing. Thompson performs and everyone sings along. The atmosphere was fantastic. Around midnight there is a massive explosion of fireworks, right above our heads. It was fantastic. Emil still up and was loving every moment. We sing and dance along until Emil determines he has had enough.
It around 1.30am, we head back to the car and have a good 20 minute walk ahead of us. We get back to the car and the traffic is out of control. Everyone was leaving and again, bumper to bumper. It is now 2am and Emil has fallen asleep in the back seat of the car. Due to the traffic, Marjan and I decide to wait until the traffic dies down. We had to wait over an hour, before the congestion/traffiic eased off. By the time we get back to out hotel, and in bed it was 4am in the morning. A very long day, but a great day. So glad that we made the effort and came today.
