Over 340 Performers Set to Shine at Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival
We are looking forward to the upcoming 3rd Bi-annual Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival, taking place from Friday, June 6th to Sunday, June 8th, 2025.
Hosted by FG Mladi Hrvati, HFA Zvonimir, and FA Hrvatska Zora, the festival promises to be an exciting and vibrant celebration of Croatian culture and tradition. The organising teams include Andrijana Dorinko, Berislav Vidakovic, and Robert Pavlic from FA Hrvatska Zora; Natalie Klafuric and Kata Jurjevic from HFA Zvonimir; and Kata Markov and Bella Peric from FG Mladi Hrvati.
Today, we’re speaking with Andrijana Dorinko, President of FA Hrvatska Zora, to hear more about what we can expect.
Can you tell us what was planned for the Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival this year?
We have a 3 day weekend planned from Friday June 6th our meet and greet at Dinamo Soccer Club, where all the groups can come together and get to know one another to Saturday June 7th our main day starting with the Concert at the National Theatre in St Kilda beginning at 3PM to then the Zabava After Party at the Croatian Catholic Centre Sunshine which is sure to be a huge Croatian party celebrating the success of the concert and making some amazing memories and new friendships. Sunday we will be at Melbourne Croatia for the last day Recovery Party where all groups will be able to come together again and enjoy a meal and a disco to finish off the night for the long weekend.
What can the audience expect from the festival weekend, from June 6th to 8th?
The audience can expect a weekend bringing the Folklore community together and to be immersed in our beautiful Croatian culture and traditions live on stage. We don’t often get to perform in such places and to have 10 groups coming together to do this which will be an amazing sight to see.
Which folklore groups have confirmed their participation so far?
Together with the host groups – F.A. Hrvatska Zora, F.G. Mladi Hrvati and H.F.A. Zvonimir we have; Lado C.F.E WA, H.F.S Lenek Adelaide, H.K.U.D Lado Geelong, A.H.F.G Lindo, A.C.F.G Braca Radic, H.F.G Mladi Frankopani, H.F.G Domovina Sydney
Are there any special performances or collaborations planned between the ensembles?
We may have a special Concert finale planned for the audience with all groups involved.
How many dancers and musicians are expected to perform over the three days?
We have about 340 performers across all groups taking the stage on June 7th.
Keeping Croatia’s vibrant culture alive
How important is this festival for the Croatian community in Australia?
The event is and should be important to the community in Australia as it will help keep Croatia’s vibrant culture alive, bringing young Australians of Croatian heritage closer to their ancestral homeland. Without it, we lose yet another part of our culture and keeping this community together.
How can people get tickets (for the concert and for the ‘zabava’ – after party)?
Tickets for both the Concert and Zabava will be released on Friday 2nd of May and all the details can be found on the official Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival 2025 Melbourne page or on the social media pages from the host groups.
For all updates, check the official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560524111308
What message would you like to send to everyone thinking about attending the festival?
Don’t hesitate to book your tickets and come be part of what will be the event of the year for our community.
Can you share a little bit about what makes this festival so special for you personally?
What makes hosting an event like this is that so many who enjoy this tradition we uphold are meeting in the one place and showcasing their talents and dedication to upholding it for hopefully many generations to come.
How long has the team been preparing for the Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival 2025?
We have been preparing for this festival for the last year in between running our own folklore groups. It has been a process, though one that will hopefully be rewarding in many ways to not only our groups but the whole Croatian Community.
Is there a favourite memory you have from previous festivals that you could share with us?
– I have had the pleasure of attending both the first festival in Perth hosted by Lado and the second one in Adelaide hosted by Lenek and both have been so amazing. The memories and friendships made in a weekend is one that everyone who is part of a folklor must experience. The favourite part for me is performing in a professional setting, which we dont get to do often enough and makes the whole group enjoy the experience even more, knowing that what you work so hard to achieve, is being enjoyed by so many. – Kata Jurjevic told us about her experience.
