President Milanović attends “Tilting at the Ring” Tournament and warns: a complex autumn lies ahead
On Sunday the President of the Republic attended the 47th edition of the “Tilting at the Ring” chivalrous tournament in Barban held under his auspices. In his opening remarks he said that the “Tilting at the Ring” tournament is a combination of history, modernity and business talent in Croatian Istria.
“In some way like the Sinjska Alka tournament – this is our story. I don’t see the “Tilting at the Ring” tournament as a tourist attraction. As on the grandstand at Sinjska Alka our people gather here. Foreigners don’t come here although they are welcome. This is an occasion for us to gather, to promote tradition in Croatian Istria, this is a combination of history, modernity and business talent aimed at bringing people together who feel good here and leave content afterwards”, President Milanović said feeling quite satisfied that such a large number of visitors turned out in Barban as never before.
In his address he referred to the current situation, warning that a complicated autumn lies ahead of us. “In Croatia we live in peace, stability, goodwill and people with deep pockets in Europe. This crisis will not end without the big powers reaching an agreement. That’s not us, that’s Russia and the USA that must agree so that the horror we are watching comes to an end and that you and all of us together can plan our lives for the next year, and the year after that. So that this event is visited by even more people, people who aren’t from Croatia, who aren’t Croats and that together we look forward in an open Europe, whose treasure Istria is”, the Croatian President underlined.
In closing President Milanović thanked for the invitation and the honour to be patron of this event, and proclaimed the 47th edition of the “Tilting at the Ring” officially open.
Attending this year’s tournament in Barban besides President Milanović was former President Stjepan Mesić, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković, the Minister of Tourism and Sports and envoy of the Prime Minister Nikolina Brnjac, Istria County Prefect Boris Miletić, the Head of the Municipality of Barban Dalibor Paus, and the President of the “Trka na prstenac” Society Aldo Osip.
The “Tilting at the Ring” tournament is an equestrian tournament in which competitors have three attempts to charge at full gallop down a 150 metre-long trail in 12 seconds, and hit the suspended “prstenac” iron ring with a spear. The competitor with must points in three attempts is the winner. President Milanović presented this year’s winner Petar Benčić with the main prize a shield that is handed down from winner to winner and a replica of a dagger with inscription.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas