Thematic Night of ‘Maškara’ Celebrates the Significant 40th Anniversary of the Croatian Folklore Group Velebit.
Saturday, March 1, at the Croatian Sports Centre Gold Coast, was a special occasion for all lovers of Croatian culture and tradition. An unforgettable evening dedicated to preserving Croatian heritage was held, featuring fantastic performances by HFS Velebit and the sense of community at the heart of the Croatian community on the Gold Coast. During the themed ‘Maškara’ evening, the significant 40th anniversary of the Croatian Folklore Group Velebit was also celebrated.
This was an evening dedicated to unity and tradition, an opportunity to celebrate the dancers, to honour all the visionaries who founded Velebit, the teachers who created beautiful choreographies, and the volunteers who tirelessly work behind the scenes. – proudly shared Marija Ružić, Vice Treasurer of the HSC Gold Coast.
With the Neretva Band, musicians from Melbourne, and Damien Brešić, who took on the role of host for the festive evening, the program began with a performance from both dance groups as they entered the stage to the famous hit “Za dobra stara vremena” by Novi Fosili.
In honour of Australia and Croatia, the national anthems of both countries were performed. Mara Palavra, the former president of Velebit, addressed the audience with a few words about the history and activities of HFS Velebit.
The young group of junior dancers from Velebit, consisting of seven performers aged 4 to 6, delighted everyone with their rendition of “Ćiro,” and their energy and smiling faces brought joy to every guest.
The highlight of the evening was the performance of the senior group, ranging in age from 8 to 43. Twenty-one dancers performed an impressive 13-minute piece, “Bunjevac,” rich in colorful costumes and dynamic choreography. This spectacular performance was truly the “showstopper” of the evening, rightly attracting all eyes and receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
This unforgettable evening would not have been possible without the years of effort and dedication of Angelo Sustić, an incredible dancer and teacher who has been connected with Velebit since the 1990s. His love for dance and Velebit has shaped many generations. The grand anniversary serves as another reminder of the strength of community and the importance of preserving cultural heritage, and it once again proved that the Croatian community on the Gold Coast not only preserves its tradition but proudly passes it on to new generations.
An unforgettable evening dedicated to preserving Croatian heritage, with fantastic performances by HFS Velebit.
Tekst: Suzana Fantov
Foto: HFS Velebit Gold Coast