President Milanović Visits “Legend of Picoki” Festival in Đurđevac

Last evening the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović visited the “Legend of Picoki” festival in Đurđevac, one of the oldest cultural and tourist events in continental Croatia that has been held for 54 consecutive years. As patron of the festival, President Milanović attended the main event the “Legend of Picoki”, a performance depicting the defense of Đurđevac from the Ottomans, which was held in front of the Old Town of Đurđevac.

“This stage performance is a lovely and gentle version of Croatia’s past, without hate and rudeness, without a need for revenge, but our history was much more difficult than this performance will depict”, President Milanović stated, thanking for the invitation and the honour to be patron of this festival in Đurđevac, “a lovely and peaceful community in Podravina, a town that is more and more beautiful and orderly”.

The “Legend of Picoki” was directed by Krešimir Dolenčić including more than 300 performers. The tradition of the “Legend of Picoki” has been recognized by the European Commission which awarded Đurđevac the status of “European Destination of Excellence” for preserving and nurturing the intangible cultural heritage. The hosts of President Milanović were the mayor of Đurđevac Hrvoje Janči and the president of the Municipal Council Željko Lacković. Alongside the President in Đurđevac was the Special Adviser to the President for Culture Zdravko Zima.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan