New Flag of the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony in Butkovina
- 19 hours ago
- 2 min read
The flags of the Konavle brotherhoods were an indispensable feature of all religious and even secular celebrations in Konavle. They were carried in processions through villages, at festive events, and were also part of wedding processions. Their most important role can perhaps be seen during the Procession of Saint Blaise, held as part of the celebration on February 3rd, when all banners are lowered in honor of the patron Saint Blaise. On that occasion, representatives of brotherhoods from all parishes of the former Republic of Dubrovnik arrive in the city with their flags and their followers.
The brotherhoods of Konavle are, in fact, remnants of medieval confraternities through which local people organized themselves and represented their communities before the authorities. They consisted of representatives of extended family households, most often the heads of households. They had their own statutes and banners, and their names included the saint to whom their chapel was dedicated. Even today, brotherhoods in Konavle continue to care for village duties, burials, cemeteries, and other communal responsibilities.
The flags of the brotherhoods that still exist in Konavle are diverse, although most are decorated using the traditional Konavle embroidery technique. At the center of each flag is an image of a saint, while above and below it are invocations to the saint and the name of the brotherhood. Konavle embroidery is applied along the edges and at the bottom of the flag. Crosses placed alongside the embroidery are also made using the same technique. This distinctive feature makes Konavle flags unique, and we consider this use of local embroidery to be of great importance for its future preservation.
The Friends of Konavle Heritage contributed to the creation of a new flag for the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony in Butkovina, Dubravka. As part of an embroidery workshop, a Konavle embroidery pattern was designed to border the banner. It consists of a large ceremonial ošva motif, ending in decorative elements inspired by traditional diamond shape patterns, created through a redesign of the ošva.
The embroidery on the flag was completed by Lenka Bratoš, Maja Radonić, Lucka Beželj, Ana Knego, Luce Kojan, Meri Skejić, and Ivana Kralj, while the decorative tassels were braided by Marija Prlenda.
The Sisters of Charity (Ančele) in Pile created the image of Saint Anthony and sewed the flag. Unfortunately, this appears to be the last flag they will produce, as their workshop is closing.
The new flag of the Brotherhood of Butkovina was solemnly blessed during Holy Mass on the day of Saint Anthony, June 13, 2026, to the great joy of us all.
The mission of Friends of Konavle is to preserve and present the cultural heritage of Konavle, a commitment that this project has once again affirmed. The collaboration on this flag is an excellent example of living heritage and the preservation of Konavle’s traditional culture.
