A Weekend to Remember: Experience the Croatian Folklore Festival, where music and celebration unite in Melbourne
Photos: S.Fantov
Following the successful celebration of the Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival 2025 held in Melbourne (6-8th June), we reflect on a truly spectacular event honouring the rich tradition of Croatian folklore. This festival showcased the vibrant cultural heritage lovingly preserved and passed down through generations by Croatian folkloric groups and ensembles across Australia.
Once again, we are proud to present a gallery of photographs that capture the spirit, passion, and deep-rooted connection to Croatian culture and ancestry. These images stand as a testament to the enduring love for folklore and the commitment to keeping our heritage alive.
On behalf of the entire organising committee of the Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival 2025, Kata Jurjević shared heartfelt words of gratitude and pride.
– Our hearts are overflowing. Honestly, it was everything we hoped for—and so much more. The love, energy, and passion each group brought was nothing short of incredible.
The party began Friday night at the very full St Albans Dinamo where all groups met to begin what was the start of an amazing weekend. The ones in attendance got a taste of what the concert was going to be like with all groups having a rehearsal of the songs they would go onto perform together on the Saturday.
Saturday, the main day of the weekend began with the concert at the National theatre, St Kilda where all the groups and the 350+ performers took to the stage and put on such a sensational show for the almost 700 in attendance.
Once the concert was done the high continued at the zabava after party, held at the Croatian Catholic centre, sunshine where almost 900 people were in attendance and packed out the dance floor all night to the rocking Major Minor. To see that many young people filling the centre once again had everyone feeling the emotions.
Although some groups already started making their way back over the borders, the weekend wasn’t done. With a lot of sore heads and feet, the party continued on Sunday at the after after party at Melbourne Croatia Soccer club. The cold weather in Melbourne didn’t keep anyone away. There was plenty of food and drinks flowing again but most importantly there was plenty of music and sing alongs. The young musicians took to the task and kept everyone entertained into the late hours of Sunday night.
The weekend reaffirmed what we’ve always known: folklore is alive and thriving in our community. With the strength we witnessed, it will continue to flourish for many years to come.
To all the folklore groups who joined the host groups FA Hrvatska Zora, Melbourne, Folklorna grupa Mladi Hrvati – Clifton Hill and Hrvatski folklorni ansambl Zvonimir, thank you. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Your presence completed the festival and reminded us what this is truly about—connection, tradition, and pride:
Lado Croatian Folkloric Ensemble WA
HKUD Lado Geelong
HFS Lenek Adelaide
Braca Radic Sydney
AHFG Lindo
Mladi Frankopani
Domovina Sydney
Having 377 performers come together on stage was something out of this world.
To our sponsors and the generous community organisations who made this weekend happen—thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Our Major Sponsor: I&D Group – Ivan and Kata Filipović – Thank you for your unwavering generosity to our community, no matter the event.
Gold Sponsors:
Your Business Insurance – Mijo Čiča
Your Private Chef – Ana and David Kolembus (who also catered for us on Saturday)
AHD Melbourne – Ante Jurič
Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club – Monica Cimera
Silver Sponsors:
St Albans Saints Dinamo – Ilija Dragičević and team
Dandenong City Hajduk – Bero Jurešić and team
Sign Utopia – Filip Jurić (who also provided all our merch!)
Riva Property Group – Steve & Natalie Klafurić
Croatia Soccer Association Australia – Jure Dragović and team
Bronze Sponsors:
Victorian Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Podravka, Adria Travel, Nicholas Seol, Wednesday Knights FC, North Geelong Soccer Club, Croatian Studies Association, Newlands Funerals.
Thank you to Strathmore Split and Ace Body Corporate Management for their generous donations.
Thank you also to the Croatian Catholic Centre Sunshine and Don Dino Mustafi for hosting us on Saturday night, and to St Albans Dinamo and Melbourne Croatia for hosting our meet and greet and after-after party. We will be forever grateful.
Thank you to Rob Spoljar for being our host and to Major Minor for rocking the night away to almost 900 people.
To the amazing organising committee:
Andrijana Klarica Dorinko – President of Hrvatska Zora
Berislav Vidaković – Vice President of Hrvatska Zora
Rob Pavlić – treasurer and teacher at Hrvatska Zora
Kata Markov – President of FG Mladi Hrvati
Bella Perić – Secretary and teacher of FG Mladi Hrvati
Natalie Klafurić – President of HFA Zvonimir
Kata Jurjević – HFA Zvonimir Teacher
For the past 14 months, they have worked as the sub-committee behind the Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival. “We won’t lie—it’s been tough at times. Between spreadsheets, zoom meetings, group chats, running our own groups and trying to make time for our families we almost needed a folkloric version of couples’ therapy!
Seeing the result — was everything we dreamed of and more.”
Thank you to them for pouring their hearts into making this happen.
Some have called this event “the Tourney of Folklore,” and honestly, we agree. Three days of Croatian folklore, pride, and unity. With this passion, this event won’t just match the Tourney— it will surpass it.
What we witnessed last weekend, isn’t just a festival—it’s a reminder that our culture, language, and traditions are burning bright. It’s up to all of us, young and old, to carry this flame forward so generations of Croatians in Australia can continue to dance, sing, and celebrate who we are.
We wish every success to our next hosts—Međugrupni odbor hrvatskih folklornih skupina u Novom Južnom Velsu (NSW)—for the 4th bi-annual Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival. We can’t wait to join you on stage again in 2027.
Neka vide da nas ima! –
Related story: The Third Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival 2025 in Melbourne