KUD = Kulturno-umjetničko društvo = Cultural and Artistic Society

This year, KUD "Stjepan Radić" from Pridvorje celebrates 30 years of its existence. A round anniversary, like all previous ones, certainly deserves a celebration. However, it has given us the incentive to pause for a moment, look back and ask ourselves where we started and why everything we do as a cultural and artistic society is important.

On October 22, 1996, the founding assembly for the society was held in the community center in Pridvorje. A few folklore enthusiasts from Pridvorje and other parts of Konavle recognized the importance of preserving everything that makes up folklore – oral tradition, traditional dances, playing and singing, but also the material legacy that was most visible in costumes and folk customs. However, one should not think that folklore in Pridvorje began with that year. Not even close.

At what point did everyday life become folklore?

Back in the first half of the 20th century, the lifestyles of Konavle people were completely different from today. The national costume was worn every day. Girls embroidered even while shepharding, out of necessity – because it was an integral part of their clothing. Knowing traditional crafts was important for existence, and dancing was a way of socializing and having fun, but also an opportunity to meet people. This is how young people met, had fun and fell in love. The question is at what point did something that was part of people's everyday lives become folklore? That is, at what point did people realize that it was something special and that they should cherish and present their national costume and traditional song and dance to others? As a symbolic and important point, in Pridvorje we choose 1908 for the start of this transition.

Pridvorje at Prater Park in Vienna

That year marked the 60th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The central celebration was planned for June. A month before that, the painter and ethnologist Ludwig Hans Fischer traveled through the Monarchy with the intention of gathering representatives from different regions for a celebration in Vienna. Among the invited were the people of Konavle, the only ones from the Dubrovnik region.

Newspapers of the time mentioned about 50 people from Konavle attending, while the narrator Ana Glavinić (née Skvičalo), sister of the famous lyric poet Nikolaš, spoke of as many as 67. Of that number, 10 couples were from Pridvorje. In addition to the procession they attended, Ana Glavinić also told Croatian ethnologist Ivan Ivančan in detail how they danced at Prater – a park intended, among other things, for large celebrations like this one. They certainly were not aware at the time that this would go down in history. From that event onwards, through various historical moments, we can follow the development of folklore activities in Pridvorje.

2026, a celebratory year full of events

This celebratory year began with a trip to Slavonia for the current dance, singing and mandolin group.

In January in Slavonia fifty members spent three days together in a social gathering in the snow, just having fun. We had no performances or obligations, which is almost unthinkable for us.

In March, the veterans traveled to Sarajevo – all those who have danced, worked and built KUD "Stjepan Radić" since 1996, and who are no longer active on stage.

The summer of 2026 will be especially busy and dynamic for us. In addition to performances for the Konavle Tourist Board in Molunat and Cavtat, as well as performances for tourists on boats and in restaurants, intensive preparations will be taking place for events that await us in the second half of the year.

A history book dedicated to Pridvorje folklore will also be presented in early October. Folklore activity in Pridvorje has existed for the last 30 years, but it has a much longer and richer history. This book will attempt to reconstruct and document its entire development, covering all forms of folklore activity in Pridvorje from 1908 until the formal establishment of KUD in 1996.

The central celebration will be held from October 9th to 11th, 2026. The first evening will be dedicated to ourselves – members, founders, volunteers, all those who have given of themselves to ensure that this KUD exists and continues. An international folklore festival is being prepared for the second evening. In addition to KUDs from the Dubrovnik region and KUDs from other parts of Croatia with whom we have been cooperating for years, our guests will include friends from abroad. Since KUD “Stjepan Radić” maintains good cooperation with Croatians in the diaspora, in the last few years we have visited several countries and socialized with several folklore groups, which we plan to host in Konavle this year. We are especially looking forward to that. At the end of the anniversary year, a concert by KUD “Stjepan Radić” choir is planned in Zagreb, as well as at an International Festival of Lyricists and Toastmasters.

More than dance

KUD "Stjepan Radić" is not only costume, dance or song, and is not only visible and tangible. In KUD are people who carefully nurture all aspects of our tradition and customs, work selflessly and give themselves to a higher, social goal. In addition, the KUD in Pridvorje has also proven to be a means of preserving social life and identity in smaller towns. Young people gather around it, socialize and create lifelong friendships. Some have even grown into relationships, and later into marriages. This social value of KUD is still recognized among young people today. We enjoy gathering, dancing, singing and performing, thus nurturing our tradition and the spirit of togetherness. On this occasion, we invite you to support us, visit our events and become part of this beautiful story.

Stanka Mujo