Croatian Tradition Captures Rome: A Meeting of Cultures from 14 Countries

Croatian folk costumes, songs, and dances are set to shine once again in the heart of Italy! Today, Rome’s Teatro Palladium becomes the stage for the international CRoEtnO Festival, bringing together representatives from 14 countries. Organized by the Croatian community in Rome, the festival serves as yet another demonstration of how tradition connects nations and how Croatian cultural heritage thrives even beyond the borders of the homeland.

This year’s CRoEtnO Festival will feature participants from Croatia, Italy, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Greece, Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Moldova, and Nicaragua.

Croatia will be represented by the cultural and artistic society (KUD) "Klas" from Podsused, while Bosnia and Herzegovina will be represented by "Stećak," an association dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional culture in BiH.

Visitors will have the opportunity to discover a wealth of folk costumes, customs, and cultural heritage from various corners of the globe—spanning Europe, Latin America, and North Africa.

The festival takes place today, beginning at 4:30 PM, at the Teatro Palladium in Rome (Piazza Bartolomeo Romano 8, in the Garbatella district).

The event has also been included in the official program for the 2026/2027 theater season under the title *Costumi tradizionali del mondo* – Traditional Costumes of the World.

The goal of the festival is not merely to showcase the splendor of traditional attire, but also to demonstrate how cultural heritage can serve as a bridge between nations, fostering mutual understanding and preserving the identity of future generations. The CRoEtnO Festival is organized by the association "Hrvatsko-talijanski mozaik Rim" (Mosaico Italo Croato Roma), in collaboration with the association "Jedna Musika" from Molise, and with the support of Croatian institutions and international partners.

The festival holds special significance for the Croatian community in Italy, as it brings Croatian traditions, folklore, songs, and dances closer to an Italian audience and other international communities.

The fifth edition of the festival, held in 2025, featured folklore groups from Croatia and other countries. The event is consistently supported by the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, the Croatian Heritage Foundation, the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Italy, and other institutions.

This year’s edition continues to promote the message that cultural diversity is an asset, and that tradition serves as a common language connecting people.

For Croats living outside their homeland, such gatherings hold particular importance. They offer an opportunity not only to showcase folk costumes and customs but also to preserve Croatian identity and pass on cultural heritage to future generations.

Thus, the CRoEtnO Festival once again confirms that Croatian tradition knows no borders and rightfully holds a place on the international cultural stage.

Source: HRT