It has officially come to an end another unforgettable edition of Carnival in Kraljevica! We have successfully wrapped up the “fifth season of the year”, and those days were filled with an extra dose of laughter, color, music, and a special kind of energy.
Shrove Tuesday – togetherness in Križišće and Šmrika
On Tuesday evening in Križišće and by the old village well (pučka šterna) in Šmrika, many locals, masked groups, families, and friends gathered with the same goal – to bid farewell to this year’s Mesopust, as tradition calls for.
With laughter, jokes, and the well-known cheer “Long live the Pust!”, the Mesopust was set on fire, symbolically taking upon himself all the worries, misfortunes, and troubles of the past year. In the flames, bad memories disappeared, leaving behind hope that what is to come will be even better, brighter, and happier.
Wednesday on the Waterfront – reading the verdict, burning Adam, and returning the key to the City
On Wednesday afternoon, the waterfront in Kraljevica was filled with positive energy! After the reading of the verdict (šentenca), Adam was burned, and the City key was ceremoniously returned, officially bringing this year’s carnival season in our area to a close.
The Mesopustari of Kraljevica once again showed how tradition is preserved and passed on – with a touch of humor, but also with deep respect for the customs that have been nurtured in Kraljevica for generations.
Carnival dances (Pusni tanci)
The carnival dances were filled with joy, laughter, and true carnival spirit. With great music and dancing, both young and old masked participants proudly showed off their creative costumes and infectious energy. The colorful masks, dancing late into the night, and the sense of togetherness felt at every step – once again, we showed how much we love and cherish our tradition, celebrating it with plenty of fun, laughter, and good spirits!
Proudly on the big stage
This year, our masked groups once again shone in the grand, colorful parade of one of the most famous and joyful carnivals in Croatia and beyond – the Rijeka Carnival. Thousands of participants and visitors witnessed the energy, creativity, and unity that the masked groups bring with them, and the parade was enriched by the vibrant spirit of the groups from the Kraljevica area.
We would like to extend special thanks to the masked groups Čenguti Bakarac, Šmričke Mačkare, Maškare Dol Križišće, and the Mesopustari of Kraljevica, who proudly represented the tradition, imagination, and spirit of our region – as well as the people who carry this story in their hearts.
Mesopust has been burned, the key has been returned – until the next Carnival in Kraljevica, may our hearts remain masked for a long time to come!