These days, various secular and church events are held in Dubrovnik to mark and celebrate the city of Dubrovnik, its artists, tradition, but most of all its patron saint - St. Blaise. Therefore, if a conference, business meeting or some other business events bring you to Dubrovnik, do not miss experiencing the unique festive atmosphere, exhibitions and concerts, winter autochthonous gastronomic specialties, local folk costumes, colourful church flags and the magnificent procession in honour of St. Blaise.
Festa 2023 Dubrovnik
Festa Dubrovnik is a traditional multi-day manifestation that begins the days of celebration in honour of the city and its patron Saint Blaise. The festival also has a humanitarian character, and this year it is focused on the restoration of the church of St. Blaise. After two pandemic years, Festa 2023 Dubrovnik returns in full glory and from January 23 to February 2 offers a rich program with numerous performers.
The program of the 22nd Festa Dubrovnik began with the presentation of Tomislav Kuljiš's book "O tempora, o mores!", a collection of short stories published by the Society of Dubrovnik Writers, which was held on January 23 in of the Dubrovnik Public Library. This was followed by the opening of the exhibition "Saint Blaise and the Sea", by members of the Dubrovnik Association of Fine Artists in cooperation with the Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik, the Marin Držić Theatre, the House of Marin Držić and the Croatian Heritage Foundation Dubrovnik, set up in the lobby of the Marin Držić Theatre. The "Wine Festival" workshop, organized in cooperation with the DEŠA Association, the Tourism and Hospitality School Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, on traditional dishes and wines for the festivities of St. Blaise, will be held on January 25 in the Mimoza restaurant. The traditional "Festa od klapa" or vocal group festival will take place on January 26 at 8:00 p.m. in the Marin Držić Theatre. A concert "Divas in St. Blaise" in cooperation with the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra will be held on January 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the church of St. Blaise.
Goran Karan's big gala concert "Long live love" with the string ensemble of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra and guest soprano Sara Žuvela on the Festa 2023 Dubrovnik program on January 28 at 8:00 p.m. in the Marin Držić Theatre. At Candlemas, the day before the main celebration, on February 2, a "Wine Festival" will be held in cooperation with the Chamber of Economy, Chamber of Trades and Crafts and the Dubrovnik-Neretva County in Gradska Kavana, in the heart of the Old City.
Festivity of St. Blaise - Day of the City of Dubrovnik
Anyone who has walked along Stradun and/or the walls of Dubrovnik could not fail to notice numerous statues of St. Blaise, Dubrovnik's protector, the patron saint, the old man who carries the City in his palm. In order to pay tribute to their patron, the people of Dubrovnik, as far back as 972, began to solemnly celebrate his day. And in 2009 the Festivity of St. Blaise was included in the register of intangible heritage of UNESCO, and this celebration is truly a very special, characteristic Dubrovnik experience. It is therefore not surprising that the same day was declared the Day of the City of Dubrovnik, so numerous religious manifestations are connected with those of the city.
This year's St. Blaise program, and the Day of the City of Dubrovnik, begins on Monday, January 23, and ends on Sunday, February 5 with the celebration of St. Blaise on Gorica. Over the course of two weeks, more than 40 different special and traditional programs will be held, and the city of Dubrovnik will mark its Day with a formal session of the City Council on February 2, at Candlemas Day, when the City's awards will be presented. The same day is the ceremonial opening of the Festivity of St. Blaise by releasing white doves, symbols of freedom and peace, in front of the saint's church and raising Blaise's banner on Orlando's column.
The central solemn Eucharistic celebration will be held on the saint's day itself, on Friday, February 3. The celebration begins on Stradun with a procession of flags, church dignitaries and numerous citizens, when the relics of St. Blaise are carried, the most important relic of the Dubrovnik Cathedral. The solemn procession ends at the church of St. Blaise, where the ceremony continues. The Festivity of St. Blaise will be held this year for the 1051st time and is a truly unique experience of a long-standing Dubrovnik tradition.