Festivity of Saint Blaise, the patron of Dubrovnik
| Festivity of Saint Blaise, the patron of Dubrovnik | |
|---|---|
Release of doves in front of Dubrovnik Cathedral
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| Country | Croatia |
| Reference | 00 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2009 |
Festivity of Saint Blaise, the patron of Dubrovnik (Croatian: Festa Svetog Vlaha, zaštitnika Dubrovnika) is a festivity organised on February 3 continuously since year 972 in the City of Dubrovnik, Croatia on the occasion of the celebration of Saint Blaise's day. Festivity is based on the legend of the appearance of St. Blaise who helped the people of Dubrovnik to defend their town against Republic of Venice. Festivity is attended by a large number of people that include residents of the city, surrounding areas, other parts of Croatia and neighboring countries, as well as tourists, representatives of state and local authorities and Roman Catholic Church. Festivity was made a part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.
Ministry of Culture describes Festivity with these words: "Besides the spiritual significance, Festivity in particular forms social relations and rules as well as the quality of government. Festivity as an expression of worship of an saint marked the whole culture, and partly natural area of the City and the surrounding area, and through the participation of individuals and groups from other places in the country as well as those from neighboring countries, encourages intercultural dialogue."
After ancient Greek colony Epidaurum was destroyed by Avars and Slavic invaders in the 7th century, refugees from Epidaurus fled to the nearby island Laas or Laus (meaning "stone" in Greek), from which Ragusa evolved into Dubrovnik. Immediately after the new settlement began to develop, greedy neighbors become envious of it and started to look for chance to destroy it. According to legend, the Venetians, while on their way to the Levant in year 972, anchored themselves near Gruž and Lokrum under the false pretense of restocking food, while their real intention was to conquer Dubrovnik. Saint Blaise appeared to priest Stojko while he was praying in the Church of St. Stephen, and ordered him to tell to Dubrovnik Senate about the real intention of the Venetians so Senate could prepare defence. People of Dubrovnik managed to prepare defence thus forcing Venetians to retreat. In order to thank St. Blase, people of Dubrovnik decided to declare him as Dubrovnik's main patron instead of previous Sergius and Bacchus.
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