KUD “Sveti Šime” Rtina
Željka Miočić - Lead Voice (prvi glas)
Mirjana Jukić, Vinka Benić, Joso Miletić, Kata Miočić, Božo Stošić, Marija Dejanović, Dare Stošić, Ljuba Stošić, Valerija Roemer-Maliar - Second Voice (pratnja)
Lyrics (ENG)
Rtina is easy to recognize
From three sides where it’s surrounded by the sea
There’s a small, white church in Rtina
The church of Saint Simon, the patron of our village
Lyrics (HR)
Rtinu ćeš lako pripoznati
Sa tri strane di je more prati
U Rtini crkva mala, bijela
Svetog Šime, zaštitnika sela
KUD “Sv. Šime” Rtina is an ensemble from the village of Rtina, Croatia, which cherishes the cultural and musical traditions of the region. The group consists of members of the local community who are actively involved in preserving and promoting folk heritage, including traditional dances, songs and music. The group's activities also include participation in various festivals and cultural events, both at home and abroad, where they present unique elements of Dalmatian folklore. Through their performances, KUD Sv. Šime Rtina ensures the transmission of traditions to younger generations and promotes the richness of local culture.
Rtina is a village located in northern Dalmatia, on the Adriatic coast, about 25 km northwest of the city of Zadar. It is situated on a peninsula that separates Novigradsko More (Novigrad Bay) from the open sea. The village is famous for preserving ancient customs, dances, songs and handicrafts. Among the local traditions are old folk songs, traditional costumes and distinctive dances that have been passed down from generation to generation, highlighting the unique character of this small village with a rich culture.
Jadransko ravnokotarsko priobalje is a region that combines Slavic traditions and Venetian influences, which were strong during the centuries-long domination of Dalmatia by the Republic of Venice. The proximity to the sea has influenced the lifestyle of the inhabitants, which is reflected in the songs, music and culture. Maritime motifs and the lives of fishermen and sailors often appear in local folk songs, which have a melancholic and melodic character. These songs also served as a way of telling about the hardships of life at sea and longing for loved ones. Italian influences, mainly Venetian, contributed to the development of polyphonic music and enriched dance styles, in which Mediterranean elements can be heard. Traditional folk costumes from the region also have traces of Venetian influence, as can be seen in the cut and decoration.
“Rtinu ćeš lako prepoznati” is a ‘na bas’ song. It is characterized by an orientalizing scale that gives it a melancholic mood, typical of coastal musical traditions. The melody leads the voices smoothly, creating harmonic consonances that reflect the influence of Mediterranean music. An interesting element is the use of a third voice, (kontrabas) acting as de finalis - the tonal climax of the song. This gives the song a richer harmonic texture and highlights its roots in the polyphonic tradition typical of coastal cultures.
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About us - Balkan Polyphony is a field research project that collects traditional music from the Balkan area. We are not interested in any ideologies, we don’t take sides in any historical conflicts. What interests us is traditional culture and its musical intricacies.