The Croatian community in Western Australia gathered on 27th July to celebrate Saint Anne’s Day with a traditional mass and festive celebration that brought together families and friends in a display of cultural heritage and faith.
Honouring Saint Anne with mass and musical festival
The day’s festivities began with a special mass at Saint Anne Church in North Fremantle, celebrated by Reverend Nikola Čabraja. The service drew parishioners from across the Perth metropolitan area, who came together to honour Saint Anne, the patron saint traditionally revered as the mother of the Virgin Mary.
Following the service, the celebration continued at the Western Australian Croatian Community Centre in North Fremantle, where a traditional Saint Anne luncheon was held. Reverend Čabraja blessed the meal before the community shared in the feast, which featured traditional Croatian dishes and hospitality.
39th Saint Anne Festival brings Croatian community together in North Fremantle
The afternoon program showcased the rich musical traditions of the Croatian community with the Saint Anne Singing Festival. Ten talented performers took to the stage, presenting a variety of traditional Croatian songs and contemporary pieces that resonated with the multigenerational audience.
At the 39th Festival of St. Anne, the following artists performed: Anthony Sumich and Stanko Panić (Samo je ljubav tajna dvaju svjetova), Greta Prodan (Vitez), Aran Tomac (Kraj kapele Svete Ane), Boris Zaneta (Suza za zagorske brege), Jelena Kežić (U ime Isusa), Đurđa Šimić and Ned Đuratović (Samo Isus može), Ljerka Mužinić and Marko Barić (Sedamnaest ti je godina), Denis Lovreta (Južni vjetar), Vjeran Duplančić (Ti samo ti), William Cox (Ako ne znaš šta je bilo).
The event highlighted the strong bonds within Perth’s Croatian community and their commitment to preserving cultural traditions while celebrating their faith.
Perth Croatian community preserves traditions at Saint Anne Festival
Saint Anne’s Day holds special significance in Croatian Catholic tradition, and this celebration demonstrated the community’s dedication to maintaining these important cultural and religious observances in their home of Western Australia.
The Western Australian Croatian Community Centre continues to serve as a vital hub for cultural activities and community gatherings throughout the year, fostering connections among Croatian-Australians and preserving their heritage for future generations.
Photos:Matt Jurčević
