International participants gather in Zadar for Croatia’s renowned Summer School of Folklore
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photo: Hrvatska matica iseljenika)
ZADAR, 4 August 2026 (Hina) – One of Croatia’s longest-running educational programmes dedicated to preserving traditional culture has officially begun in Zadar, welcoming participants from across Croatia and around the world.
The Summer School of Croatian Folklore, organised by the Croatian Heritage Foundation (Hrvatska matica iseljenika), opened on Tuesday and will run until 13 August at HI Hostel Zadar.
The specialist programme brings together leaders of folklore groups, musicians, dancers and enthusiasts of Croatian traditional culture from Croatia, the Croatian diaspora, Croatian national minorities, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and several other countries.
This year’s edition focuses on the rich folklore heritage of the Adriatic region. During the ten-day programme, participants will study traditional dances, songs, costumes and musical instruments from numerous coastal areas and islands, including Šibenik, the Neretva Valley, Pelješac, Mljet, Lastovo, Cres, Rab, Pag, Konavle, Makarska, Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Split, Šolta and Krk.
The programme is led by Andrija Ivančan, artistic director of the Linđo Folklore Ensemble from Dubrovnik. The tamburica department is headed by renowned musician Tibor Bün, while traditional instruments are taught by music educator and instrument maker Vjekoslav Martinić.
(Photo: Hrvatska matica iseljenika)
Among the guest lecturers is celebrated composer and arranger Siniša Leopold, alongside a team of respected folklorists, ethnochoreologists and researchers specialising in Croatian traditional culture.
Established in 1963 by distinguished Croatian ethnologist and ethnochoreologist Ivan Ivančan, the school has evolved continuously over more than six decades while remaining committed to its original mission of preserving the authenticity of Croatian traditional culture and passing knowledge to new generations.
(Photo: Hrvatska matica iseljenika)
Today, the programme combines modern teaching methods with Croatia’s rich folk heritage, offering comprehensive training in traditional dance, music, singing and national costumes.
According to the Croatian Heritage Foundation, the school also plays an important role in strengthening cultural ties between Croatia, Croats living abroad, Croatian national minorities and the Croatian community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(Photo: Hrvatska matica iseljenika)
The programme concludes on 13 August, when participants will showcase the skills and knowledge they have acquired during a final evening performance.
