Croatian rapper celebrates 20 years of "Srce vatreno" at Melbourne's Croktoberfest

Croatian rapper Marko Lasić, known as Nered, performed at the 20th Croktoberfest in Melbourne, giving a concert for the Croatian diaspora over the weekend.

Croktoberfest is organised every October by Croatians in Australia, who gather to enjoy Croatian music and food in an event modelled on Germany's Oktoberfest, CE Report quotes HINA.

The concert was held at the Croatia Soccer Club and also marked 20 years since the release of "Srce vatreno", one of Nered's signature songs and one of the best-known songs in Croatian football fan culture.

Around 250,000 Croatians and their descendants live in Australia.

"The energy of our people on this side of the world is truly incredible," Nered told Melbourne-based newspaper Hrvatski vjesnik.

He said he particularly valued the Croatian community in Australia. "They are hardworking and dedicated people who had the courage to leave everything behind, build a new life and create a future for themselves and their families. Despite the distance, they have never forgotten where they come from."

Events such as these concerts, he added, brought the two countries together through culture and shared heritage.

Nered thanked the organisers of Croktoberfest, saying their efforts helped preserve Croatian culture in Australia and gave Croatian performers opportunities to meet audiences among the diaspora.

He added that ambitious plans were being developed for future performances by Croatian artists in Australia, with the aim of strengthening ties between the music scene in Croatia and the Croatian community on the other side of the world.

Photo Instagram/marko_lasic_nered