About us

Folklore group "Marko Marojica" was founded in 1976. with the aim of preserving the traditions and traditional costumes of Župa Dubrovačka. From its very beginnings, the society's activities were organized across multiple sections: folklore, klapa singing, a women’s choir, and a cinema section. It is worth noting that many other well-known local associations emerged from within the society, such as the Župa Carnival, the Brass Band, and the Župa Majorettes.

Throughout its rich history, the group has visited numerous European cities and domestic festivals. Among its many destinations abroad, Essen, Ohrid, Linz, Vienna, Prague, and many other places across Europe are well worth mentioning. On the domestic stage, the society has participated in prestigious showcases and festivals, including the International Folklore Festival in Zagreb, “Na Neretvu misečina pala” in Metković, Vinkovačke jeseni, and Đakovački vezovi, along with numerous other performances throughout Croatia. It is particularly noteworthy that in 2023, the folklore group “Marko Marojica” participated in the prestigious international festival, Oktoberfest in Munich. With 125 active members today, the folklore group “Marko Marojica” not only preserves a precious past but actively builds the future, remaining the true heart of the cultural life of Župa dubrovačka.

Historical Development and Challenges

In the early years, the folklore section was led by Branko Tadić, a former dancer of the "Ivan Goran Kovačić" Folklore Ensemble. Alongside the traditional Župski bali (dances of Župa), he introduced dances from the Bunjevac and Posavina regions into the repertoire. Unfortunately, due to the Homeland War, the society's activities were forced to a halt from 1992 to 1997.

Thanks to the initiative of Petar Srijemsi and Marin Srijense, the society relaunched its activities in 1997. In that post-war period, due to the destruction of their traditional costumes, they performed Župski bali exclusively. The folklore section was successfully led by Petar Srijemsi all the way until 2012.

Expanding the Repertoire and Collaborations

Following years of focusing strictly on their native heritage, the society decided to enrich its repertoire in 2012. Sulejman Muratović (Sule), the artistic director of the "Linđo" Folklore Ensemble at the time, set the choreographies for the Dubrovačka poskočica Linđo (the Dubrovnik Linđo dance) and dances from the Konavle region. This breakthrough continued in 2014 through a collaboration with one of Croatia’s most renowned choreographers, Maestro Branko Šegović from Split, who staged the traditional dances of Split (Splitski plesovi) for the group.

The introduction of new dances also sparked the need for musical accompaniment, which successfully revived the tamburitza orchestra, alongside which a mixed klapa group operates today. In 2019, the society held its first Christmas Concert, for which director Mateo Čanić choreographed the dances of the Valpovo region (Valpovački plesovi).

Major Milestones and Looking to the Future

The society wrote a special chapter in its history in early 2021 as it entered its 45th anniversary of activity. To mark the occasion, the group first official logo was unveiled, and an exhibition was organized to document the work of generations of Župa residents through photographs and memorabilia. This milestone was also remembered for the first anniversary concert in the society's history, where dances from the Bunjevac region (Bunjevački plesovi) were premiered under the leadership of artistic director Mateo Čanić.

Today, with pride and immense enthusiasm, the “Marko Marojica” Folklore group marches toward its grand 50th anniversary. Half a century of continuous work, preserving tradition, and community is the crowning achievement of all previous efforts, tours, and successes.