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Subotina

About the event
Old-time folk festivity
Subotina or Journey into the Past
In September, on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, streets and squares of the old town of Buzet turn into a historic stage. All participants of this event wear original folk costumes and clothes resembling townspeople at the turn of the 20th century. The sound of traditional Istrian music is accompanied by the irresistible sweet smell of delicacies that surely satisfy the palate of even the most demanding visitor.
In such a scenography of the past set within the old town walls you can take part in a variety of ethno-workshops of ancient and nearly forgotten crafts, so-called ethno-trails of ancient crafts . Right in front of your eyes carpenters, coopers, shoemakers, tailors, comb-makers, basket-weavers, wavers, oil producers and pharmacists, as well as other masters of ancient crafts demonstrate skills that have been preserved to this very day.
Apart from the ethno-trail you can also choose the gastro, eno or art trail or even mead trail. Tempting flavours on the gastro-trail are those of vegetable stews maneštre, pasta fuži, cheese, truffles dishes, boneless pork loin ombolo, sausages and many other irresistible delicacies. On the no-trail be sure to taste the finest wines of Istrian wine-makers, whereas the mead trail introduces you to the quality of products prepared in a traditional way such as honey, olive-oil, herb brandy, herbs and herbal tea.
After a hearty meal and fine wine, there's nothing like great fun, and those who will make sure you have a good time are jugglers, street entertainers, musicians, accordion players, folk dancers and actors presenting plays in the local dialect. But, that's not all - there's also a parade with typical characters from the past: street sweepers, firemen, chimney sweepers, ice-cream vendors, photographers... Visit the exhibition of folklore, souvenirs and jewellery in the town museums and stalls, or you can even try your luck at bocce or a game of cards briškula or trešeta.
This unique time machine will surely bring back the old days to remind everyone what life was like back then.