As part of the Festivities of St. Blaise and Dubrovnik City Day, the Dubrovnik Brass Band had the pleasure of hosting their dear friends from Vis City Music, with whom they share a long-standing friendship. They performed a solo concert at Cinema Sloboda on Saturday, February 1st. The first meeting between the music ensembles of Vis and Dubrovnik dates back to 1893, during the unveiling ceremony of the Ivan Gundulić monument in Dubrovnik. A century later, in 1993, Vis City Music participated in the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Dubrovnik Brass Band. This year’s visit was a return exchange after Dubrovnik City Music traveled to Vis in May last year to perform at the opening ceremony of the Šime Poduje City and School Sports Hall.
Photo - Dubrovnik Brass Band
On Candlemas, despite the rain, the Dubrovnik Brass Band participated in the opening of the Festivities, playing marches during the flag-bearers' gathering and in front of St. Blaise's Church, as well as performing the Hymn of St. Blaise during the raising of the Patron’s Banner.
Photo - Dubrovnik Brass Band
On the main day of the Festivites, both Dubrovnik and Vis Brass bands participated in the event, beginning with the morning reveille, accompanying the flag bearers to Ploče and Pile, and raising the banners at Pile Gate. During the break before the procession, members of the Fahnenschwiger Blaskapelle Orchestra from Lekindorf, Austria joined in the Dubrovnik City Music hall. They also performed during the Festivities procession.
Photo - Dubrovnik Brass Band
On Sunday, February 9th, Dubrovnik Brass Band took part in the closing of the Festivities, playing during the morning gathering of the banners in front of St. Blaise's Church and before the Holy Mass at Gorica of St. Blaise. After Mass, they joined the procession from Gorica to the church, playing marches along the way. During the lowering of St. Blaise’s banner and the raising of the national flag, they performed both the Patron’s Hymn and the Croatian National Anthem.
Photo - Dubrovnik Brass Band
"For our members, participating in the Festivities of St. Blaise is a great honor. The performances for Candlemas, the Feast itself, and the closing ceremony are among the most demanding annual engagements for Dubrovnik Brass Band—but also some of the most anticipated, looked forward to each year with joy and excitement," stated the Dubrovnik Brass Band.
