President Milanović in Kastav: Croatia has progressed, but there are things we have to correct

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended the main ceremony at the “Bela Nedeja” traditional wine event in the town of Kastav, which was held under the patronage of the President of the Republic.

In his address, the President of the Republic highlighted the importance of progress in the culture of growing, production and selling of wine, since winemaking is the central theme of the “Bela Nedeja” event. “The progress of the region and the whole of Croatia can be seen here. The country has progressed, although we have deformities that we have to correct,” said President Milanović.

The President also emphasized the importance of preserving the language and tradition of the Chakavian region, commenting on the programme in which Chakavian was spoken: “This impressive recital is in the Chakavian language – not a dialect – because it is too independent to be just a dialect, it was spoken by almost a quarter of the people when the Croatian language and nation were created. This testifies to the depth and roots of this region. Our people went all over the world, but they stayed here, they built, preserved and loved this region as well as the tradition.”

After his address, President Milanović toured the exhibition stands in the company of the host, Mayor Matej Mostarac of the town of Kastav, Deputy Mayor Dean Jurčić, President of the Kastav Town Council Mirela Smojver, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Prefect Zlatko Komadina and Director of the Kastav Tourist Board Saša Brusić.

“Bela Nedeja” is celebrated on the first Sunday in October and it is a centuries-old tradition in the Kastav region that marks the beginning of autumn and new wine, and also features an offering of traditional products, presentations of old trades and cultural events which revive the heritage of the region.

President Milanović was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, Assistant Adviser to the President of the Republic for the Economy Martina Ciglević and the Commissioner of the President of the Republic for Sports Željko Jovanović.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta