The Dubrovnik Tourist Board is organizing a traditional charity ‘Tombula’ again this year on the occasion of the Feast of St. Blaise. Tombula will be held on Stradun on February 3rd, starting at 4 pm with the famous local DJ Vjeverica. The papers will be available to buy in front of Luža, one hour before the start, at a price of 10 kuna per paper. The awards are: Terna 500 kunas, Cinquina 1000 kunas, and Tombula 2000 kunas. Money collected from the sale will be given to the Association of children with diabetes and their parents ‘Slatki život’.
Tombula on Stradun is a traditional event and this game is deeply rooted in Dubrovnik tradition and family life, because even today, in many homes it serves as entertainment for all generations. For those who like to make jokes, tombula on Stradun also means teasing, and throwing bitter oranges and eggs at those drawing numbers on the terrace of the Sponza Palace. The audience comments on every number drawn, while some feign objection, others rejoice, and everyone is in a good mood and enjoys the entertainment.
According to the tradition which, according to Dubrovnik historian Josip Bersa, dates back to 1842, on the afternoon of the Festivity of Saint Blaise, the tombola raffle will take place in front of Sponza Palace. A favorite Dubrovnik game that has been held for decades, the event brings together bannermen, ladies and gentlemen, people from Dubrovnik’s surroundings dressed in traditional costume, Grandmasters and children.
Women’s legs – 77, broomstick – 11, grandfather – 90, Judas – 13, kid – 1, these are the characteristic Dubrovnik interpretations of numbers that are drawn and exclaimed, giving rise to sighs and comments, and terna (four), činkvina (five) and tombula (six), are wins that motivate, cause anger and rejoicing! See you!