‘A day that comes once a year’, the St. Blaise Feast has been celebrated for 1045 years in Dubrovnik. today, it began with the ‘Kandelora’, traditional Candle Mass opening of the ceremonies connceted to our beloved Parac – St. Blaise.
It makes a direct connection with the tradition and history of Dubrovnik, which is reflected in each segment of this celebration. Tomorrow, February 3rd, is the Day of Saint Blaise, the patron of Dubrovnik, and also the Day of the City of Dubrovnik.
Therefore, along with church ceremony, in the city under Srđ, there are organized a number of events of secular overtones that are dedicated to the Dubrovnik patron saint, who keeps Dubrovnik on his outstretched palm.
Kandelora and doves that are set free, an inspirational anthem to St Blaise, flags and folk costumes, prelates, the secular city leaders, diplomats and politicians, throat blessing, majestic procession of believers…
For centuries, the festival has been unchanged, as well as the affection of inhabitants of Dubrovnik and its surrounding to their patron St. Blaise, his character and work that is woven into all aspects of Dubrovnik past and present.
In 2009 this celebration was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Here’s the complete programme for today and tomorrow:
CANDLEMAS
8:00 Tribute to the fallen defenders of the City of Dubrovnik
Organised by: City of Dubrovnik
Memorial at the Boninovo Cemetery
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Humanitarian event ˝Bitter Orange Days˝
Organised by: DEŠA Association – Dubrovnik and Dubrovačka naranča (Eng: ˝Dubrovnik Orange˝)
Luža
12:00 pm Presentation of the preliminary program of the 68th Dubrovnik Summer Festival
Organised by: Dubrovnik Summer Festival
Festival Palace
1:00 pm Wine Festivity
Festa Dubrovnik, Chamber of Economy of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Dubrovnik-Neretva County
City Café (Gradska kavana)
2:45 pm Parade of the City of Dubrovnik Marching Band and performance with the Cathedral Choir
Stradun
3:00 pm The Banner of St. Blaise gathers the city standards
In front of the Church of St. Blaise
3:30 pm Opening Ceremony of the Festivity of St. Blaise
In front of the Church of St. Blaise
5:30 pm Celebratory Evening Mass and Concert
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
7:00 pm ˝Candlemas Dinner˝
Fort Revelin
Friday, 3 Friday 2017
6:00 am Patriotic hymn with the ringing of the city bells, music, and muskets
Platoon of Dubrovnik Musketeers
Great Pier in the Old City harbour
7:00 am First mass in the Church of St. Blaise, parade of Grand Masters, musketeers, city band, and standard bearers to Ploče
Church of St. Blaise
the city standards are joined by banners from the east of the City, and together they go to Pile to wait for the banners from the west side of the City
at Pile the banners are waved in honour of St. Blaise and they enter the City; heading towards the Cathedral the standard bearers salute the patron saint’s church
7:00 am Patriotic Hymn
Organised by: the City of Dubrovnik Marching Band
Stradun
10:00 am CELEBRATORY LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Led by His Excellency Egidije Ivan Živković, Ph.D., the Bishop of Eisenstadt in Burgenland, Austria
In front of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Mass is followed by the CELEBRATORY PROCESSION THROUGH THE CITY
1:00 pm Banquet in honour of St. Blaise (traditional dirty macaroni, doughnuts, and a glass of wine)
Luža
3:30 pm Banner men greet the Cathedral, bishops and Grand Masters
In front of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
4:00 pm Tombola (Eng: ˝raffle˝)
In front of Luža
Saturday, 4 Friday 2017
9:00 am X. International Chess Tournament ˝Dubrovnik Open 2017˝
Organised by: Chess Club ˝Dubrovnik˝
Hotel Petka
Sunday, 5 Friday 2017
8:00 am gathering of banners and pilgrims
In front of the Church of St. Blaise
and walk to Gorica
9:00 am Celebration of St. Blaise at Gorica, holy mass
Gorica of St. Blaise
12:00 pm Return of standard bearers to the City, lowering of the banner of St. Blaise, raising of the national flag, and holy mass with which the Festivity of St. Blaise for 2017 officially ends.
In front of the Church of St. Blaise
