Traditional singing in Dalmatia has always been an integral part of people’s lives… versed in many songs – “it keeps the joy and beauty, golden note and a drop of life…” It was intrinsic part of new life being born, death, work, love, sadness, celebration. Not a single event could pass without it, often accompanied by a drop of wine and local food. Regardless if the event was in konoba, town square or a street, it was enough for one to start singing and get the things in motion.
So it was once and so it is now. Love for singing is something present in Dalmatian people ever since they were little children. An increasing number of the young are willing to participate in spreading this form of Dalmatian music expression – klapa singing.
So it is not unusual to meet klapa on Christmas Eve in Split at their traditional place, beneath the ancient clock where they gather and sing touching people’s hearts and inviting them to join. As always, everything starts with a few enthusiasts who draw attention of others and shortly after the first found themselves surrounded by a bunch of people looking for some good and fun times this singing offers. Now, this tight space becomes even smaller, but in this case three is not a crowd, making no room for pushing or nervousness. Old and young gathered here find joint language, forgetting for a moment differences among them, because all share the same love for traditional melodies and lyrics, which in the elderly provoke nostalgia and memories of bygone times. Some of them enjoy just listening, while other join and sing along, but all, with no exception, wear smiles on their face making the holiday atmosphere in the city even more merrier. It is the heritage traditional song has passed on to us, whose melody enriches and with each its note imbues the life of Dalmatian people providing them comfort for their soul and nobleness for their hearts.
M. Konstantinović
