Lopar Night has been held continuously since 2006 under the motto ‘back to the roots’. The event seeks to recall the traditional way of life before the expansion of tourism and prevent it from falling into oblivion. As a means for doing so, the event presents the rich local ethnographic and intangible heritage. Every year, Lopar Night brings together about 150 volunteers divided into some 30 workshops who, dressed in folk costumes, present various skills and crafts long into the night: mending and pulling fishing nets, grinding grain, treading grapes, making brandy, harvesting honey, weaving ropes, baskets and fish traps, processing wool, making pottery, playing mih bagpipes, dancing and singing folk songs… A special attraction is the performance of members of the KUD San Marino Cultural and Artistic Society, who present Lopar folklore customs, and fishermen who demonstrate traditional dragnet fishing. The experience is rounded off with a wide range of culinary delights and local specialities prepared according to traditional recipes: šuljčići, fritule and hrostuli fritters, dried figs, sočivo stew, makaruni pasta, grilled fish, wine, brandy … The highlight of the evening is the traditional farewell to St Marinus who, according to legend, was born in Lopar more than 17 centuries ago. After learning the stonemason’s trade, he fled to the opposite coast of the Adriatic Sea and founded San Marino on Monte Titano, which is considered to be the oldest republic in Europe. Since the people of Lopar are very proud of the alleged origin of St Marinus, Lopar Night includes a symbolic farewell to him with spectacular fireworks.
