Ganga and Haka under the same sky

On Wednesday, July 10, the Auckland Croatian Cultural Society and the Folklore Ensemble King Tomislav from the distant Land of the Long White Cloud – the most distant Croatian community in the world – treated their audience to a rich, emotional and superb musical and stage program in the cinema hall of the Tomislavgrad KIC.

First – thank you for coming back to us!

Second – it was phe-no-me-nal, as an old acquaintance of mine would say when breaking it down into syllables.

In one word: excellent.

In another: perfect – concluded two of our fellow villagers as they left the hall, after they, together with the large audience, watched and listened to the two and a half hour program almost without blinking.

We were convinced of the splendor and spectacular expertise of their singing, dancing, music, rhythm – and above all, the superb performance of Croatian songs – accompanied by frequent applause from the enthusiastic audience.

Particularly beautiful was the performance of 13-year-old Sofija Kačurov, who sang the song Dajem ti srce (I Give You My heart), as well as the performers of the songs Tebi majko misli lete (My Thoughts Fly to You Mother), Barbara, Kad mi padne šešir na čelo (When My hat Falls Onto My Forehead)…, the dance Linđo, and the performance of the local group of Croatian tobacco heritage, whose Ganga so delighted the guests that, with a smile, they asked them for: “One more!”

It is important to note that the work of this exceptional society and ensemble in New Zealand is taken care of by the devoted Kačurov family – Goran and Sanja, together with their children, who are also active members.

“We have not felt such a magnificent reception for a long, long time. Thank you! You are everything that we are trying to do there and what we have brought as the harmony of the Pacific. We have settled in nicely and have come here, where the cradle of our tradition is – because you are our octave,” said Goran Kačurov, former head of the LADO ensemble from Zagreb, expressing the hope that they will be able to hear Ganga and Bećarac live a few more times.

Among the large audience at this event in Tomislavgrad was Goran Katić, a representative of Croatians in New Zealand and a member of the Government's Council for Croatians Abroad, who is also very grateful that the members of the Ensemble, together with their friends, came on this tour.

The performances of the Samoan-Tongan quartet The Shades and members of the Maori Kapa haka group Te roupo Manutaki certainly left an interesting and strong impression. It was emphasized that some of them also have Croatian roots – from the Kaitaia region, where the first Croats settled. Musicians from Croatia also performed with them in the orchestra. The audience was also reminded of the fact that Croatians are, after the Irish, the largest immigrant community in New Zealand, and that they have a particularly close relationship with the native Maori, with whom they are celebrating the 166th anniversary of friendship this year.

Although their war forms evoked a dose of awe, the host consoled us at the end with the words: “Maori are a peaceful people – their war forms are defensive.”

Who knows – maybe our Ganga members will visit New Zealand one day… and briefly “shock” the audience there with their ‘warlike’, but actually peaceful Ganga.

At the end of the program, symbolic gifts were exchanged, but the most valuable thing that remains is – the mutual warmth of hearts from both ends of the world, the memory of an evening that will not be forgotten.

After performances in Bjelovar, Šibenik, Biograd na Moru and tonight in Tomislavgrad, the Kia ora Croatia 2025 tour continues with guest appearances in Split, Skradin and Zagvozd.

Partners, sponsors and co-organizers of this tour are the Central State Office of the Republic of Croatia for Croats Abroad, headed by State Secretary Zvonko Milas, the Ministry of Demography and Immigration of the Republic of Croatia, the aforementioned municipalities and cities, as well as other supporters and friends.

Source: HRT