Croatia's Good Friday traditions unite communities

Croatia's Good Friday traditions unite communities

Culture

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, was observed across Croatia with fasting and other religious and traditional rites and customs, and one of the most famous customs is "Behind the Cross", a Catholic procession on the southern Croatian island of Hvar.

"Behind the Cross", a procession that starts every Maundy Thursday on Hvar, ended in the morning of Good Friday. Six simultaneous processions were organised in Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj and Vrboska, CE Report quotes HINA.

They are led by barefoot bearers carrying ancient crosses weighing between 10 and 18 kg, walking along a 25-kilometre route for a night of contemplation and prayer through the other settlements. Finally, the processions complete their circular route, arriving back where they started about 07:00 on Good Friday. During the procession, chosen singers, that is "kantaduri", sing "Gospin plač" ("Lamentation of Virgin Mary"), which is an octosyllabic Passion text from the 15th century. The centuries-old pious custom, called "Za Križen" in Croatian, was added to UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2009.

Lenten meals

The City of Vinkovci and local unionists once again organised their traditional distribution of a Lenten meal - fish and potato salad - for citizens on Good Friday.

“This is a lovely tradition that has been going on for many years. On the eve of the greatest Christian holiday, we share a Lenten meal - fish and potato salad - with our fellow citizens. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, talk, and strengthen what matters most - our sense of community. In that spirit of unity, I wish all our citizens a happy and blessed Easter,” said Josip Romić, Deputy Mayor of Vinkovci.

Similar events took place in the main square of some other towns and municipalities.

Tags

Related articles

BTA Reports Progress and Reforms
The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) presented its 2024 report to the Parliamentary Culture and Media Committee, receiving unanimous approval.
Generations in Watercolour
An exhibition titled “Steps in Time: Generations” opens this Thursday at Sofia’s Arte Gallery, showcasing watercolour works by Vassil Valev, Milko Bozhkov, Svilen Blazhev, and Stanislav Pamukchiev.
Web Report Honors Clean Journalism
At the eighth Web Report Clean Journalism Awards, Dir.bg COO Ivan Braykov emphasized the power of ethical journalism, stating that "pure journalism does not scream, it is heard" and cannot be bought.
Bulgarian author wins 2025 Vilenica Prize in Slovenia
Bulgarian author Georgi Gospodinov has been awarded the 2025 Vilenica Prize, presented annually at the Vilenica International Literary Festival in Slovenia.