The Čapljna International Summer Carnival, which started on Friday, brings a variety of creative masks this year, and new groups that are presenting themselves to the public for the first time have attracted special attention.
The head of the office of the Čapljinka Tourist Organization, Elena Sesar, in an interview with Fena news agency, pointed out that the Children’s Carnival, which is being held for the seventh time and which opened the event, is a special attraction for the youngest because the prince and princess of the carnival are chosen during the evening.
“The goals of the carnival are the promotion of the carnival culture, customs and tourist offer of Čapljina, the region and the country, the expansion of cross-border cooperation, the affirmation of young people, the promotion of cultural and artistic societies and the guardians of heritage and tradition,” said Sesar.
Čapljina is the only city that has represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FECC (European Association of Carnival Cities) for more than two decades. FECC gathers hundreds of members from 49 European countries, including associated countries (Argentina, Brazil, USA, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay…). FECC is an association, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving different cultures by holding festivals and parades in member cities.
“The tourist organization, as an active member, has the obligation to organize its own carnival, and every year in another member country to participate in the International Annual Convention and the association’s birthday, representing our country as an eminent cultural environment. Carnival in Čapljina is visited every year by a delegation of the association and honorary members of FECC with their delegations from many European countries (Croatia, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Slovenia, Germany…), as well as attractive carnival groups from FECC member countries,” explained Sesar.
According to her, the Carnival attracts an extremely large number of visitors, is very well covered by the media and contributes to a significant increase in tourist traffic in Čapljina and the surrounding areas.
Also, this event contributes to the presentation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a desirable destination, worthy of admiration.
“This year, several groups from Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Serbia, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina are participating in the carnival, and we arrange participants throughout the year when visiting other carnivals,” said the organizer.
Today will be the second day of the carnival.
“The second day begins with a joint lunch and entertainment, and after the ceremonial reception of the representatives of the groups in the City Administration, a carnival procession is formed that parades to the central square. On stage, each group performs its choreography, and the final program includes the crowning of this year’s carnival queen Anamarija Dragičević with fireworks and a concert by the Feminnem group,” Sesar concluded.
