Croatian women’s klapa a cappella ensemble performs in Germany
The women's klapa a cappella ensemble Neverin (Croatia) performed in Germany's Hamburg last weekend at a pre-Christmas gathering of the local Croatian community, the Croatian Consulate General reported.
Around 500,000 Croats live in Germany, including some 32,000 in the north, CE Report quotes HINA.
The consulate, which organised the programme, said the two-day event aimed to showcase the Advent atmosphere and strengthen community spirit.
Neverin gave a concert on Saturday at the Hamburg Academy of Music and Theatre, performing traditional Dalmatian songs, works by well-known Croatian poets and arrangements of Croatian compositions for an audience of more than 80 guests.
In his opening remarks, Consul General Kristijan Tušek underlined the importance of klapa singing as one of Croatia's most distinctive vocal traditions, especially during Advent, praising its "warmth of voice and simple yet striking aesthetic".
Klapa singing, as well as traditional wooden toys from Hrvatsko Zagorje also presented at the event, are on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. Hand-made nativity scenes created by young Croatian-language pupils were also displayed.
After the concert, guests enjoyed traditional Dalmatian dishes prepared by chef Goran Dolić, Germany's national cooking champion, along with Slavonian cakes.
On Sunday, Neverin performed before more than 500 worshippers during Mass at Hamburg's St Mary's Cathedral. The service marked the end of a three-day celebration dedicated to the Days of the Croatian Catholic Mission in Hamburg and the mission's 56th anniversary. The Mass was led by Dubrovnik Bishop Roko Glasnović.
