Celebrating 1100 Years of Croatian Heritage
The Kralj Tomislav Folklore Ensemble are preparing to tour Croatia from 1–13 July 2025. This follows a special invitation from the Croatian government. The tour is to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the Coronation of Kralj Tomislav and the founding of the first Croatian Kingdom. It will showcase New Zealand’s unique multiculturalism and Croatian heritage through music and dance.
Founded over 30 years ago, the King Tomislav Folklore Ensemble is named in honour of Croatia’s first king. It remains committed to preserving its heritage while building bridges with other cultures in Aotearoa New Zealand. The 2025 tour will feature performances in some of Croatia’s most historic and iconic venues.
Performance Schedule
• 3 July – Sveta Nedjelja, Ante Starčević Square, 8:00pm
• 4 July – Bjelovar, Cultural Centre, 7:30pm
• 7 July – Šibenik, Barone Fortress, 9:00pm
• 8 July – Biograd na Moru, King Tomislav Square, 9:00pm
• 9 July – Tomislavgrad (BiH), in front of the Cultural Information Centre, 8:00pm
• 10 July – Split, Gajo Bulat Square (outside the Croatian National Theatre), 8:00pm
• 11 July – Skradin, Trg Male Gospe, 8:00pm
• 12 July – Zagvozd, Actors’ Square, 9:00pm, part of the 28th Actor’s Theatre Festival
The 70-minute concert programme features nearly 50 performers. These include dancers, singers, and musicians from the Kralj Tomislav Folklore Ensemble. The Shades, a celebrated Samoan-Tongan vocal quartet, and members of Te Rōpū Manutaki, a leading Māori kapa haka group, will also join. Several of them proudly trace their ancestry to Croatia. They will be joined by guest musicians from Croatia.
166 years of friendship
This tour reflects the rich cultural fusion that defines New Zealand. Māori and Pasifika artists bring their exceptional voices to traditional Croatian songs. It also marks 166 years of friendship between Croatians and Māori. This long-standing relationship is a source of pride for the ensemble.
Under the artistic direction of Goran Kačurov, former head of Croatia’s national folk ensemble LADO, the ensemble has enjoyed 17 consecutive seasons of guidance. Public support and recognition in New Zealand have been vital.
The Krajl Tomislav Folklore Ensemble would like to extend their sincere thanks to all their sponsors, supporters, and institutional partners. Both in Croatia and New Zealand, who are making this journey possible.
“We are convinced that this year’s tour will be a spectacle of multiculturalism and symbiosis. It is between our people and the native population of New Zealand and immigrants who have also been welcomed into Aotearoa – the Land of the Long White Cloud,” say tour director Goran Kačurov and Len Stulich, President of the Croatian Cultural Society Auckland.
See related story: What it means to be Croatian in New Zealand in 2025
