Festival of Traditional Singing, Music, Dance, Speech, and Cuisine "It Was Always Joyful"

The festival "It Was Always Joyful” is dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional singing, folk music, authentic cuisine, and the local dialect as essential elements of the region’s cultural identity. Through song, music, dance, and spoken word, the festival revives the spirit of past times, recalling the life, customs, and sense of community that once shaped everyday life.

Traditional singing holds a central place at the festival—from multipart harmonies and klapa performances to solo interpretations and folk songs passed down through generations. Alongside singers and vocal groups, accordions and other traditional instruments create a special atmosphere, filling the space with sounds that transport visitors back in time.

An equally important segment of the festival is the preservation of the local dialect. Through theatrical performances, recitations, humorous dialogues, and storytelling, the native speech—primarily Chakavian, along with the dialects of guest participants—takes its rightful place on stage, highlighting the powerful role of language as a bearer of identity and cultural heritage.

A key part of the event is also its traditional cuisine. Visitors can taste dishes prepared according to authentic recipes, from homemade maneštra and bread baked under the peka to desserts and other specialties that reflect the richness and simplicity of traditional food culture. The participation of local producers, as well as guests from twinned Slovenian municipalities, further enriches the gastronomic offer and emphasizes regional connections.

The festival "It Was Always Joyful” is not just a cultural event, but a meeting place for generations, an exchange of experiences, and a celebration of heritage—where, through song, speech, and the flavors of the past, a warm and joyful atmosphere is created, just as its name suggests: it has always been—and remains—joyful.

LOCATION: Škrapna (Zvoneća)
DATE: June 14, 2026