The Župski Pjat Festival of Tradition in Župa Dubrovačka officially opened this Tuesday with a walk through the lemon orchards at the Lemon Gardens family farm and a lecture on dark tourism by tour guide and author Vedran Mezei.
In an especially ecological and symbolic way, the official start of the Festival and Earth Day was marked with a stroll through the fairytale-like lemon gardens in Rovanj, more than 300 lemon trees in one place! The Jović family's farm was officially opened as a part of this year's Festival, showcasing natural products such as marmalades, lemon juice, and other citrus delicacies. A lovely social gathering was enriched by the walk and storytelling through the lemon gardens, and a special guest, the donkey Jure!
In the evening, a lecture by Vedran Mezei titled 'Dark Tourism in Kupari – The Final Chapter' took place. Visitors had the opportunity to hear fascinating stories about dark tourism destinations around the world and in Croatia, what makes them historically known as places of 'dark' memories, and why some sites have been permanently destroyed to avoid becoming part of collective 'dark' remembrance. The audience also learned what it is that magnetically draws people to such locations, and how history serves as a carrier of memory.
Mezei concluded the lecture with the nearest local example of dark tourism, Kupari complex, through the lens of history, guided tours, documentary filming for National Geographic, and plans for the site’s reconstruction.
Wednesday at Župski Pjat: We Walk and Cook in an Olive Grove, and Explore the ‘Cinematic’ History of Župa!
Župski Pjat continues on Wednesday, April 23rd.
A guided olive oil tasting led by a certified olive oil sommelier will take place in the magical olive grove of Dubrovnik Olive Story, owned by the Kristović family. The experience will be enriched with a gastronomic presentation by Mrs. Katija Guljelmović. Through the lens of tradition on a plate, visitors will discover what pairs well with olive oil – and why.
The lecture Župa dubrovačka on the Silver Screen: Fragments from the Cinematic History of the Region will be held in the hall of the Church of Mary Magdalene (Mandaljena) at 8 p.m.
The speaker, historian and curator Ivan Lujo, will present a century of cinematic history in Župa, from the earliest Hungarian films to today’s Hollywood productions. With Lujo as your guide, you’ll learn what was filmed where in Župa and how local landscapes and residents played roles in a wide variety of films and series. Through black-and-white and color film frames, we’ll revisit some now-vanished sceneries of Župa, whose charm has drawn well-known and lesser-known filmmakers for over a hundred years.
Mag. hist. Ivan Lujo graduated from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb with a degree in Modern and Contemporary History. He is one of the founders of the Museum of Red History in Dubrovnik, where he works as a curator. His work focuses on topics from contemporary Dubrovnik history, which he presents through academic papers, lectures, exhibitions, and guided tours.
Župski pjat runs until April 27th and includes numerous traditional, educational, and gastronomic programs. The Festival is co-financed by the Župa Dubrovačka Tourist Board and the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board, with support from volunteers, donors, and friends of the project.
During the Festival, be sure to visit local restaurants and try special festival menus, traditional dishes presented in both modern and authentic styles! Follow us on our official website, Instagram, and Facebook for all updates and announcements.
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