Traditional a cappella choirs (klape) from Rab

Traditional a cappella choir singing has been included in the UNESCO's Representative list of intangible cultural heritage. It is a multipart a cappella singing. Traditional a cappella choir singing has a long tradition, originating within the Mediterranean cultural sphere of small towns by the sea, and on the islands.

THE SINGING OF THE MEDITERRANEAN CULTURAL SPHERE

Traditional a cappella choir singing has a long tradition, originating within the Mediterranean cultural sphere of small towns by the sea and on the islands, where men gathered and sang, usually with no instruments. The topics of a cappella songs are related to the sea, love and the Mediterranean lifestyle. Today, such a type of singing is widespread, with a number of female and mixed voice choirs.

TRADITIONAL A CAPPELLA SINGING HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE UNESCO'S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE LIST

Traditional a cappella choir singing was included in the UNESCO's Representative list of intangible cultural heritage in 2012. The original multipart a cappella choir singing has been included in the UNESCO's Representative list of intangible cultural heritage, not its popular commercial version.

LITURGICAL INFLUENCE ON THE A CAPPELLA SINGING

The oldest Traditional a cappella choir singing is associated with liturgical chants. After attending mass, groups of men would go to taverns or gather at squares, where they would sing the same way as in the church.

A RICH TRADITIONAL A CAPPELLA SINGING CULTURE IN RAB

Traditional a cappella choir singing in Rab has a centuries-long tradition and shares this tradition originating from liturgical chants with other Dalmatian towns and villages. The preservation of the a cappella singing in Rab has been taking place since the 1960s. Today, the choirs you will find in Rab are Anima Arabe (f), Sozal (f), Užanca (f), Eufemija (m), Krijanca (m) and Rab (m), as well as the mixed voice choir Refuli. The choirs traditionally organise two concerts a year at the Rab Cathedral, one during Christmas and New Year festivities, and the other one durig Lent and Easter holidays when they perform church hymns, as well as secular songs. Since 2008, the Rapske vedute a cappella singing festival has been taking place on the Island of Rab, organised by the Open University of Rab, at the initiative of the artistic creator, maestro Ljubo Stipišić Delmata.