The Lopar Night

A RETURN TO THE ROOTS – THE MOTTO OF THE LOPAR NIGHT

Under the motto 'A return to the roots', the Lopar Night event has been taking place since 2006, presenting a rich ethnographic and intangible cultural heritage of Lopar. Some 150 volunteers divided into groups wearing folk costumes and presenting a variety of old local arts and crafts in 30 workshops until late at night participate in the event every year. In other words, it is a sort of an open-air play with the entire community and many costumed locals participating, often including tourists as well.

FOLK CUSTOMS AND TRADITION DELIGHT MODERN-DAY VISITORS

What are these activities? Mending and pulling fishing nets, grinding grain with a mill (žrno), grape treading, honey extraction, making brandy, weaving ropes, baskets and fish traps, stone carving, playing mih (a traditional wind instrument similar to bagpipes), a cappella singing and dancing tanac (a folk dance). Visitors can participate in specific workshops and try their hand at making pottery using a pottery wheel, creating cord wrapped bottles (bocuni), making dry fig strings, bowling and other local activities.

LOCAL CUISINE SPECIALTIES AND DELICACIES

The members of the San Marino Folklore Society attract special attention among the visitors, presenting Lopar folk customs and tradition. The fishermen demonstrating the traditional way fish is caught using a trawler net in the shallow sea of the famous Mel Beach are also worth mentioning.

What makes the experience of the Lopar Night event complete is a rich traditional cuisine with local specialty food and delicacies made according to traditional recipes, such as šuljčići (fish fillet waffles), fritule (fritters), hroštule (sweet pastry knots), dry figs, sočivo (stew), makaruni (pasta), grilled fish, wine and brandy.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT IS THE PROCESSION OF ST. MARINUS, THE FOUNDER OF THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO

The highlight of the Lopar Night is the procession of St. Marinus who was born in Lopar over 17 centuries ago, according to a legend. Having learnt the trade of a carver, he sailed to the opposite side of the Adriatic Sea, docking in the port of Rimini, establishing San Marino, the oldest republic in Europe on Mount Titan later on. As part of the Lopar Night, a symbolic procession of St. Marinus takes place, with amazing fireworks that most of the visitors gather to watch.