Location: the amphitheater known as "Krug," (Doverska Street, Mertojak)

Date: June 10, 2025, at 8 PM

The Council of the City District Mertojak, chaired by Jagoda Cicvarić-Goreta, in cooperation with Branko Bosanac, secretary of the humanitarian association Humane Stars of Split (Split Stars), is organizing the fifth edition of the Evening of Dalmatian Speech at Mertojak. The event encourages and supports the students of the "Mertojak" Elementary School. Under the guidance of their mentor, teacher Ines Dužević, the students promote the Split Čakavian dialect through recitations, plays, songs, and folklore as part of the "Guardians of Heritage" program.

This year, the event will take place again in the amphitheater known as "Krug," located on Doverska Street in Mertojak, where well-known musicians, singers, and klapa groups from Split will gather. It promises to be another unforgettable evening of Split and Dalmatian vibes, attracting a large audience.

On Tuesday, June 10th, starting at 8:00 PM, with free admission for all lovers of good music and joyful atmosphere, and hosted by Anamarija Alebić and Vedran Očašić, attendees will enjoy a soulful program prepared by the organizers. The evening will begin with a recital by the poet from Mertojak, Nađan Dumanić, followed by a performance by the children’s klapa "Maestral" of the Cultural and Artistic Society "Pleter" from Dugopolje, led by Helena Pelić, the recent winner of the 4th Children’s Klapa Festival in Omiš and the 10th Klapa Festival in Zadar.

Students of the "Mertojak" Elementary School will present traditional Split dances, a čakavian haiku poem by Dunja Kalilić, and a short play titled "Tovar," written by themselves. Immediately after, the mixed choir of KUD "Filip Dević" will perform the songs "Šjora Dome" and "Moja Dalmacija."

During the intermission between student performances, four legendary sports stars from Split, Olympic athletes, will take the stage:

• Deni Lušić, two-time Olympic gold medalist in water polo and this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Split,
• Petar Metličić, Croatian handball player, winner of gold medals at the Olympic Games and World Championship, and a former student of Mertojak Elementary School,
• Ivan Gudelj, legendary Hajduk football player, recipient of the City of Split’s personal award, twice awarded at documentary sports film festivals, nominated for European Citizen in 2020, and ambassador of the "Hepatos" association,
• Hrvoje Marinović, longtime player, captain, and coach of the Bowling Club "Mertojak," gold medalist at the World Individual Championship in the tandem mix discipline, and the first individual European champion.

The musical program will continue with performances by:

• The women’s singing society "Marjanke,"
• The group Newera,
• Nenad Vetma,
• The klapa groups "Mriža," "Friži," and "Šugardin,"
• And finally, the legendary mixed klapa KUD Filip Dević.

These musicians and singers with big hearts, who always gladly participate and perform at charity and humanitarian events, will once again demonstrate how “when good hearts come together, true magic is born — music that connects, heals, and reminds us of the beauty of life and friendship.”