President Milanović in Barban: “Tilting at the Ring“ celebrates a way of life
“Here we don’t celebrate any great victories, which there were, nor do we mark or mourn defeats. This is a celebration of a way of life and joy in which a lot of segments and details of the Croatian past are interwoven: from these costumes, from the history of this region which is an interweaving of the old population of Istria, the Slavic population of Istria, settlers from the area of Dalmatia, the Makarska coast. All this together made one nation that resisted all challenges and threats in the last few centuries,” the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović said in Barban, where he attended the 49th edition of the “Tilting at the Ring” race won by Erik Žagrić this year.
In his address, President Milanović stated that the “Tilting at the Ring” race in Barban comes at the end of the summer which “usually in our political culture starts with some tension”. “Then it continues with the celebrations of great pride and glory, and after the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, everything begins to slowly calm down and in the end calms down like milk in a glass. Then comes the Tilting at the Ring race in Barban, a peaceful, beautiful, good country of Istria, where there are never those conflicts that perhaps too often burden and mark us as a nation”, noted the President of the Republic who was again this year patron of the “Tilting at the Ring” race in Barban.
He added that there are no political topics in Barban and there shouldn’t be any, and in his speech he highlighted the results of Istrian tourism. “It’s a fair attitude towards people, towards the offer and what you get for that offer”, said President Milanović, adding that these are the reasons that made Istria a part of Croatia “which is developed and valued and where you know what value is and what you get for your money. Istria has built its last thirty years on that thesis. These are years of success and to all those who participated in it, gave their practical or spiritual help, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude”, said President Milanović.
Addressing the gathering besides President Milanović were the president of the “Tilting at the Ring” race Aldo Osip, the head of the Municipality of Barban Dalibor Paus, Istria county-prefect Boris Miletić and the Minister of Tourism and delegate of the Prime Minister Tonći Glavina.
The knightly race “Tilting at the Ring” is an equestrian event in which the rules dictate that the contestants must overcome a 150-meter course in three races and hit the ring with a spear. The competitor who scores the most points in three races is declared the winner. The President of the Republic presented this year’s laureate Erik Žagrić with the main gift, a transitional shield and a replica dagger with a dedication.
Accompanying President Milanović at the event were the Adviser to the President for Human Rights and Civil Melita Mulić and the Special Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek