February is a month when masks come out, traditions take centre stage, and carnival spirit spreads across towns and islands alike. In light of the international recognition of the Lastovo Poklad by UNESCO, we delve into the story of one of Croatia’s most authentic and enduring carnival customs — a tradition that continues to shape the cultural identity of one remarkable island.
As a vital aspect of Lastovo’s cultural heritage, the Poklad is a unique and deeply rooted pre-Lent carnival tradition that commemorates the island’s legendary deliverance from Catalan pirates. At the heart of the event is an effigy representing the Catalan messenger, which is dramatically released from a hilltop and sent sliding down a rope into the town centre, firecrackers exploding at its feet in a symbolic act of ridicule and collective memory. The ritual is both theatrical and cathartic, blending history, humor, and community participation into a powerful public spectacle.What sets the Lastovo Poklad apart is the way it has been continuously preserved as a living tradition, carefully passed down through generations and actively practiced by the entire local community. This strong sense of community ownership, intergenerational transmission, and sustainable safeguarding of customs led to its inclusion on UNESCO’s Register of Good Safeguarding Practices for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription recognizes not only the tradition itself, but also the methods by which the people of Lastovo protect, transmit, and adapt their heritage while keeping it relevant in contemporary life.
During Poklad celebrations, as well as at summer festivals, visitors can admire the island’s striking folk costumes, which remain an essential expression of local identity. Men traditionally wear scarlet and black garments with richly embroidered braces, while their hats are adorned with colourful flowers, creating a vivid visual symbol of continuity, pride, and belonging.
The final Poklad ceremony can be experienced this year on February 17, coinciding with Shrove Tuesday (Carnival Tuesday), the final day of the carnival season celebrated across Croatia and Europe. Alongside the unique traditions of Lastovo, visitors can also enjoy some of the country’s most famous and lively carnival events:
Rijeka – Rijeka Carnival: January 17 – February 15 (International Carnival Parade, city centre – February 15)
Crikvenica – Maškare Crikvenica: January 10 – February 18
Biograd na Moru – Carnival regatta Biograd: February 13 - 15
Dubrovnik – Dubrovački karnevo: February 13 – 17
Samobor – Samoborski Fašnik: February 6 - 17
Velika Gorica – Turopoljski Fašnik: February 7
Čakovec - Međimurski Fašnik: February 13 -15
Đakovo – Đakovački bušari: February 7 - 8
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