A Heritage of song

Multimedia

The multimedia project «A Heritage of Song», was initiated in order to preserve Croatia’s traditional musical heritage, especially traditional glagolitic church singing.

For centuries, through various segments of life, the Croatian people have been building their local diversity and recognition in customs, costumes, art, literature, drama and music, especially in singing. It was a motive for us, too, to show that richness that unites but also emphasizes diversity visually through our editions, which we particularly emphasized on the covers of the monographs. On the covers of all editions from the parishes of the Diocese of Šibenik, common motifs (the ancestral figures carved in stone of Georgius Mathei Dalmaticus at the Cathedral of Sibenik and the statue of the patron saint of the Diocese of St. Michael) are displayed, and through different colors the motif peculiar to each parish. On the covers of all editions from the parishes of the Archdiocese of Zadar, common motifs (floor plan of the Church of the Holy Cross in Nin and the church of St. Donat in Zadar) and a motif peculiar to each parish. On the covers of all editions from the parishes of the Split-Makarska Diocese, common motifs (the sign of the Split Cathedral and Gregory of Nin, the proponents of the Old Slavic language and the national Glagolitic script, as well as the Glagolitic worship, whose monumental statue carves the old Split core), are placed.

Through both the voices of the singers and the particular style in which these people sing one can sense both their everyday reality and the essence of their identity. Unfortunately, social changes have ushered in a new lifestyle characterized by a shift from rural to urban lifestyles, leading to the disappearance of folk customs, especially folk singing and liturgical music. Our intention is to record, produce, archive and present the entire corpus of music from the parishes. Through the (literal) part of this booklet we want to preserve and represent the history and way of singing of each particular parish. Through the audio-visual production (CD and DVD) our wish is to preserve and present these rare and traditional songs. Furthermore, we wish to encourage (the) younger generations to take an interest in folk and liturgical singing. It is important to emphasize that folk-liturgical singing (often referred to as glagolitic singing) represents a unique religious and cultural heritage and is recognized and esteemed as such by Croatian and international cultural élites.

The recording and production of this audio-visual project began in cooperation with the parishes and pastors, the diocese and other public, educational and cultural institutes and individuals.

For centuries, the Croatian people have developed their local traditions, costume, art, literature, drama and music, especially singing, in a distinct and unique way.

These editions demonstrate that the Croatian people recognize and appreciate true cultural value, and cherish and take pride in their heritage; they believe in God and His guidance. Long may it remain so and may this heritage be passed from father to son. Furthermore, the preservation of this heritage acknowledges the appreciation of those who have conserved and maintained church singing throughout history.