President Milanović in Viškovo: The House of the Halubaj Bell Ringer is impressive 

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended today the official opening of the House of the Halubaj Bell Ringer in Viškovo.

In his address, President Milanović emphasized the importance of investing in cultural initiatives that promote a community’s identity and traditions. “This is impressive and it demonstrates a higher standard, when the society and community are able to allocate that extra dollar or euro for something that is beautiful and dear to one’s heart. Because, this is not a business zone and it will need to be maintained, just like the Alka Halls in Sinj. The people who work here will educate both children and visitors. It’s worth the money and I congratulate you on that. Thank you for that initiative, because only those who think ahead do something like this,” said the President of the Republic.

The Halubaj Bell Ringers stand as the foremost custodians of the rich traditions of the Halubaj and Kastav regions. Renowned for their annual procession, this group has gained global recognition. Their procession holds a coveted spot on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Additionally, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia has designated them as a cultural property, leading to their inclusion in the Register of Cultural Property of Croatia.

Recognizing the significant cultural and touristic value of the bell ringers, the Municipality of Viškovo has taken the initiative to construct the House of the Halubaj Bell Ringer. This endeavour is a vital component of the broader integrated project titled “Let’s Connect with Heritage.” Through the ITI mechanism (Integrated Territorial Investments), grants are allocated to towns and municipalities within the urban area of Rijeka to support such endeavours. The House of the Halubaj Bell Ringer stands out as the sole new construction within this integrated project. Beyond serving as a permanent museum exhibition space showcasing the rich history, customs, and traditions of the bell ringers, the facility is also designed to host a variety of events. These include gallery exhibitions, cultural showcases, educational programmes, culinary experiences, and hospitality events. Moreover, the space will serve as a venue for professional and scientific gatherings, further enhancing its significance as a cultural hub.

In addition to President Milanović, also speaking at the opening ceremony were the Head of the Municipality of Viškovo Sanja Udović, the Director of the House of the Halubaj Bell Ringer Dominik Damiš, the President of the Association of Halubaj Bell Ringers Damir Host, the Mayor of Rijeka Marko Filipović, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Prefect Zlatko Komadina, and the Mayor of Bakar and delegate of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Tomislav Klarić.

President Milanović was accompanied by Zdravko Zima, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Culture.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek