On Thursday, March 13 at 7:15 PM, the korizmeni (Lenten) concert “Kajkavska Mass” will take place at the Cathedral of St. Stošija, performed by the Mixed Choir “Podravina” from Ludbreg.

The concert is part of the Passion Heritage Festivities, a long-standing cultural and spiritual event that promotes Croatia’s rich Passion and liturgical traditions. This cultural-spiritual project presents artistic works inspired by Christ’s Passion through concerts, exhibitions, theatrical programs, and scholarly events, while encouraging the preservation and nurturing of Croatian traditional and sacred heritage. The festival is particularly connected to Lent, the liturgical period of preparation for Easter marked by reflection, penitence, and contemplation of Christ’s Passion. It is in this spiritual atmosphere that many traditional folk chants arose, passed down orally for centuries and sung in churches and homes throughout Croatia.

It is a special honor that the choir from Ludbreg is coming to Zadar, symbolically uniting Croatian cultural and spiritual heritage – from Podravina to Dalmatia. The program features a selection of Lenten chants from the folk music traditions of Podravina and Međimurje, blending deep spirituality, biblical messages, and Kajkavian popular devotion.

Lenten Tradition and Folk Chants

The audience will have the opportunity to hear a series of traditional chants, including:
“Vjutro otprem oči”, “Bože milostivni”, “Verujem vu Boga”, “Kršćeniki plačite”, “Noć nad gorom”, “Tužno plače”, “Križnem drevu”, and “Isuse moj, dobro moje”, which musically follow the Lenten journey of reflecting on Christ’s Passion and human repentance.

The choir will be conducted by Ivon Fabijanec, who will also play the organ. Anita Huđek will perform as soloist, accompanied by Alan Kanski on the cimbalom. The Mixed Choir “Podravina” from Ludbreg has been active for many years in northern Croatia, nurturing the rich tradition of choral singing and Kajkavian folk heritage. The choir regularly participates in festivals and competitions, standing out for preserving spiritual and traditional songs from the Podravina region. In 2025, they performed at the Passion Heritage Festival in Zagreb, receiving special recognition for promoting Kajkavian folk heritage.

The concert “Kajkavska Mass” is conceived as a musical and spiritual journey through Lent, inviting the audience to reflection, contemplation, and a deeper understanding of the mystery of Christ’s Passion.

Welcome!
May tonight’s shared experience in song inspire us not only to preserve the heritage we have received but to live it fully.

Program:

• Morning, I open my eyes
• O Merciful God
• Reading from the Epistle of Saint Paul
• I Believe in God
• I Traveled Through the World
• Baptized Ones, Weep, arr. Vinko Žganec
• Night on the Mountain, arr. Josip Pankarić
• Sorrowfully She Cries, arr. Vinko Žganec
• The Mother of God Has Fallen Asleep
• To the Cross Tree
• I Have Seen Such a Tree
• My Jesus, My Good, arr. F. Pintarić
• Sad Voices
• Have Mercy, Dear Souls Cry Out
• O Dear Brothers, Melody from Legrad, Podravina