The Evenings of Passion Heritage are a cultural and spiritual event in Drniš, held annually before Holy Week, featuring musical, poetic and visual programmes dedicated to preserving and presenting Croatia’s Passion tradition.
The Evenings of Passion Heritage in Drniš were founded in 2002 by the Drniš Public Open University and have since become an important part of the city’s Lenten calendar. The event is held during the week leading into Holy Week, most often in the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, where musical, poetic and artistic performances inspired by the Passion and the Lenten season are presented.
The programme brings together guest and local performers from various parts of Croatia who, through song, recitals, concerts and artistic interpretations, showcase the richness of Passion heritage. Over the years, the event has developed a recognisable identity and gained a reputation as a solemn, reflective and culturally significant gathering. Thanks to continuous organisation and strong community support, the Evenings of Passion Heritage have become one of the most important Lenten events in the Drniš area.
One of the most important Lenten events in the Drniš area
Share
An artistic and spiritual Lenten programme
The programme blends music, poetry and visual art in a contemplative Lenten setting.
The artistic programme of the Evenings of Passion Heritage centres on musical, poetic and visual interpretations of the Lenten season, creating a distinctive spiritual atmosphere in the days leading up to Easter. Performers from Drniš and across Croatia bring a variety of Passion-themed expressions, from traditional chants to contemporary compositions and poetic recitals. The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary serves as the main venue, and its historical character enhances the emotional and spiritual experience of each performance. The event typically offers several evenings of content designed to encourage reflection, stillness and contemplation, giving it a special cultural and devotional significance. This combination of art and spirituality appeals not only to worshippers, but also to all who appreciate sacred and traditional heritage.
Preserving Croatia’s Passion tradition
Performers present the richness of Passion customs from across Croatia.
The Evenings of Passion Heritage are dedicated to preserving and transmitting Croatia’s Passion tradition, which encompasses centuries of musical and literary customs connected with the Lenten period. The programme features performances by klapa groups, choirs, vocal soloists, reciters and other artists who interpret sacred themes and traditional folk chants. Many performers come from different regions of Croatia, enabling the presentation of a wide range of local styles and customs associated with Passion heritage. In this way, the event not only nurtures local identity, but also contributes to the broader safeguarding of national cultural heritage. Through these performances, audiences can experience the depth, diversity and emotional resonance of Passion expressions, reaffirming the cultural value and longevity of this Drniš tradition.