Seattle Center Festál: CroatiaFest 2010 “Culture and Sport,” Sunday, Oct. 3, 12 noon - 8 p.m. in Center House, celebrates the vitality and distinctiveness of the Croatia homeland, provides a glimpse inside one of the last undiscovered treasures of Europe and honors an integral part of the Croatian culture: sport. Seattle Center Festál: CroatiaFest 2010 “Culture and Sport,” Sunday, Oct. 3, 12 noon – 8 p.m. in Center House, celebrates the vitality and distinctiveness of the Croatia homeland, provides a glimpse inside one of the last undiscovered treasures of Europe and honors an integral part of the Croatian culture: sport.
The festival this year highlights the local and national Croatian athletes of past and present, from soccer and football to basketball and baseball. It also presents acclaimed dance ensembles and musicians, visiting artists, Croatian foods, a multi-media cultural exhibit in Harrison St. Gallery, tourism information and lecture room discussions – including travel to Croatia, historical displays that showcase Croatia’s rich past, cooking demonstrations and wine tasting.
Headlining is special guest performing artist Tamburaski Sastav Barabe from Pittsburgh, PA, playing on the Main Stage. A pre-festival welcome dance will be held Saturday, Oct. 2, 8 p.m. -10 p.m. in cooperation with Northwest folk dancers and Seattle Balkan Dancers. Dance lessons start at 6 p.m. This year marks milestone anniversaries for three noted Northwest musical ensembles and participants in CroatiaFest: The Seattle Junior Tamburitzans, 40 years; Sinovi Tamburitza Orchestra, 30 years and The Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble, 35 years. Croatian sports personalities Jerry Kaloper, Jason Chorak, Tony Vlastelica, Jerry Zuvich, Nancy Mikacenic and Lora Batina will share their experiences in a panel discussion.
The 22 Festál cultural celebrations highlight the common forms of tradition and expression among ethnic communities in the Pacific Northwest, while underscoring their unique creative contributions, customs, foods and ideals. Our 2010 “did you know” explore some of these commonalities and differences.
Did you know? Red, white and blue are the colors of the Croatian culture. The most popular foods along the Dalmatian Coast are fish, cheese, figs, wine and olive oil. This musical culture expresses its pride with festive celebrations and holidays where people gather, eat, drink, sing and dance. The coastal livelihood is centered on the sea and tourism. Inland, it is service-based (67% of the gross domestic product). Croatia”s livelihood is also found in shipbuilding, blue water fishing, ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, electronics and electric power equipment.
Seattle Center Festál: CroatiaFest is presented by Seattle Center in partnership with the CroatiaFest Committee. For a full event schedule, visit www.croatiafest.org, and for more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com/festal or call 206 684-7200.
