An Evening to Remember: Orebić Celebrates Three Major Anniversaries

The Best Dingač, Delicious Snacks, Lots of Dance and Song, Awards for Those Most Deserving of Tourism Development, Viticulture and Winemaking, and Preserving Tradition – the Famous Tourist Destination Marked Important Years in Its History

It was a joyful and emotional event on December 24th in Orebić at the celebration of three major anniversaries. The Crystal Hotel celebrated 120 years of tourism, 60 years of international protection of Dingači, and 60 years of the Poloneza Folklore Group.

Along with the delicious snacks, exceptional Dingači from 17 producers were offered, because such events deserve only the best. Orebić is an attractive tourist and wine destination with a beautiful story about captains, hardworking people, guardians of tradition, who today cherish a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle that many tourists also enjoy.

“Orebić shows how, with a thoughtful approach, respecting the values ​​of culture, tradition and the blessings of nature, a destination can be built that delights visitors from all over the world, as evidenced by the excellent tourist results. I wish you to continue to promote the beauties of Orebić with the same enthusiasm, an integral part of which are the rich customs preserved by Polonez and top-quality wines, among which Dingač holds a special place,” said Josip Pavić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, congratulating the people of Orebić on three important birthdays.

Frano Matušić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, also joined the congratulations, emphasizing that the preservation of cultural heritage is the key to understanding history, but also the development of tourism that respects the authentic values ​​of the community, and these anniversaries in Orebić are the best example of how this is done.

Authentic, sustainable and recognizable

“By all accounts, Orebić is the second largest tourist destination in our county, right after Dubrovnik. And today’s ceremony shows that Orebić really has something to offer – both cultural content, excellent wines and a good tourist product. Together with our Government, we are implementing key projects for this Municipality, such as the Orebić bypass and the port of Perna, as well as the expressway to Brijesta, which will greatly affect the quality of life here,” said the Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County Nikola Dobroslavić in his speech.

Tomislav Ančić, Mayor of the Municipality of Orebić, in an emotional speech, emphasized that these three great anniversaries are not only an opportunity to socialize, but also to think about the future.

“Tourism is changing, and our challenge is to ensure that Orebić remains authentic, sustainable and recognizable. This is a moment in which we can together shape at least another 120 years of success based on our recognizable local story. Once again, I would like to thank everyone who is part of this success, because you are the guarantor of the further development and positioning of the Orebic municipality as a desirable tourist destination, and at the same time a desirable place to live”, said Ančić.

Mladen Đeldum, director of the Orebic Municipality Tourist Board, congratulated all the people of Orebic on the successful tourist years.

“This is an opportunity to thank our hoteliers, private renters, caterers, winemakers, craftsmen and numerous enthusiasts who invest their efforts every day to make Orebic a destination that guests remember and return to. I would especially like to thank our cultural and sports associations that enrich the offer, local farmers who preserve authenticity, as well as all public services that ensure the safety and quality of our guests’ stay”, emphasized the director of the Orebic Municipality Tourist Board, which, along with the Municipality of Orebic, the Pelješki vinski puti and Plavac mali – Pelješac associations and the Poloneza Folklore Group, organized the event, which gathered around 200 guests.

Recognition was given to deserving institutions and individuals who have built tourism for years, preserved tradition with dance and song in the Polonaise, and developed Dingač with work and effort, including the oldest landlords, winemakers, grape growers, famous tourism workers, visionaries and journalists…

We inherit the tradition of our ancestors

“Anniversaries are an opportunity to thank our ancestors, who, with their hard work, are most deserving of Dingač being recognized as a famous wine and one of the most beautiful vineyards. We inherit the tradition through their efforts, and we have made Dingač a recognizable brand in the world that proudly carries the name of Potomje and Pelješac. Their love for the land still inspires us winemakers today and encourages us to work in the vineyards and cellars with the same passion,” said the famous winemaker from Potomje, Mato Violić Matuško, president of the Pelješac Wine Routes Association.

Anto Martinović, manager of the Dingač Agricultural Cooperative and Winery in Potomje and president of the Plavac Mali Pelješac Association, emphasized the importance of cooperatives for the development of viticulture and winemaking in Orebić and looked back on the history of Dingač.

“At the beginning of the 1960s, 128 families in the Dingač area were engaged in grape production. To this day, the number of producers who have land on Dingač has remained the same, but the total arable land has increased significantly. In the early 1960s, the total was 28.2 hectares, and today we have more than 72.8 hectares,” said Martinović.

Gordana Mustapić, president of the Poloneza Folklore Group, was particularly emotional, as she received a large bouquet of flowers from her members.

“The solemn celebration will certainly remain in our memories for many years to come. Thanks to our first president of Poloneza, Matko Župa, who created the choreography, and the capable members who participated in the “creation” of the song Grego Levante, we now have the foundations for continuing to nurture tradition, but also learning new choreographies. All previous presidents and leaders, with their selfless dedication and effort, have left their indelible mark, and I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart on this occasion. The Poloneza Folklore Group brings together members of all generations, including the youngest population, who are our future,” said Gordana Mustapić.

The folk group Poloneza set the stage ablaze with their performance, and the great atmosphere will be talked about for a long time in Orebić. It was an evening to remember.