VIDEO: Croatian and Māori performances mark powerful Statehood Day celebration in Auckland
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photo: Private album)
On Saturday night, June 7th, Auckland’s Croatian community marked Croatia’s Dan Državnosti (Statehood Day) with a powerful showcase of heritage through music and dance.
The sold-out event brought together hundreds of people to honour the 35th anniversary of Croatia’s declaration of statehood.
This year’s celebration was made even more special by the commemoration of the 1100th anniversary of the coronation of Kralj Tomislav, after whom the Croatian Cultural Society of New Zealand’s folklore ensemble is named.
The evening was officially opened by Betty Pavelich, Croatia’s Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, whose warm welcome set the tone for a night of cultural pride and achievement.
The programme for the night featured a vibrant array of performances, including special guests from around the world. Folklore Ensemble Vukovar, visiting from Sydney, brought their own high-performance standards and energy, highlighting the strength of trans-Tasman ties between Croatian communities.
(Photo: Private album)
West Auckland’s Maori kapa haka group, Te Rōpū Manutaki, also took the stage with a commanding performance that acknowledged the shared values of identity, ancestry, and cultural pride. Their welcome and support reflected the deep and enduring relationship between Māori and Croatian communities in New Zealand.
(Photo: Private album)
The Society’s own Kralj Tomislav Folklore Ensemble also featured prominently, with both junior and senior groups delivering a series of captivating traditional dances and songs from across Croatia.
(Photo: Private album)
The senior ensemble is soon to embark on a two-week tour of Croatia in July, invited by the Croatian government as part of the celebrations marking Kralj Tomislav’s coronation.
(Photo: Private album)
(Photo: Private album)
Performances will take place in historical and culturally significant locations including Bjelovar, Zagreb, Šibenik, Biograd, Split, Zagvozd, and Tomislavgrad.
(Photo: Private album)
The evening concluded with a stirring performance of Ne Diraj Te Mi Ravnicu, featuring guest appearances by members of The Shades, a New Zealand Polynesian operatic crossover group who previously performed in Croatia, most notably at the 2023 Oliver Dragojević tribute concert Trag u Beskraju.
(Photo: Private album)
The celebration of Statehood Day was another reminder of the enduring strength of diasporic identity, and the importance of preserving tradition while embracing collaboration and connection with the community both locally and abroad.
Video below.
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