”Processions of George the Green” were held with the opening of the exhibition ”Wayside Crosses and Chapels of Worshippers of Kumrovec and the Surrounding Area”

On Saturday, April 15, 2023, the traditional St. George's Procession event was held at the "Old Village" Museum in Kumrovec on the eve of the feast of St. George.

The program began with a workshop on making St. George's wreaths, led by members of the Cultural and Artistic Association Magda and Luiza from Madžarevo: president of the association Tibor Martan, vice president Dubravka Beneković, Ana Martan, Jasna Jež, Anita Platnjak, Dorjan Šturbek and David Geček.

Throughout the day, presentations of traditional crafts and knowledge were held alongside the Museum's permanent exhibitions. Sewing on homemade canvas was presented by members of the Oroslavje embroidery, and blacksmithing was presented by craftsman Božidar Kopun.

The program of the St. George's Procession was preceded by the opening of the exhibition Wayside Crosses and Chapels of Worshippers of Kumrovec and the Surrounding Area by author Tatjana Brlek. The photo-documentary exhibition shows the tradition of erecting folk sacral architecture in Kumrovec and the surrounding area. 39 crosses and chapels are presented. Visitors can find out where the crosses are located and see the appearance of crucifixes and chapels, typical of the influence of folk sacral architecture from the Alpine area, through photographs. The opening of the exhibition was attended by Viki Jakaša Borić, representative of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, head of the Conservation Department in Krapina, Robert Šplajt, mayor of the Municipality of Kumrovec, Rev. Milan Juranić, Father Franjo from the Franciscan Monastery in Klanjec and numerous fellow villagers. The head of the Museum "Old Village" Kumrovec Anita Paun Gadža addressed the audience with a few words, and the exhibition was opened by the mayor of the Municipality of Kumrovec Robert Šplajt. The opening program of the exhibition was followed by Mia Franceković and Iva Galić, members of the Folklore Ensemble Ivan Goran Kovačić, who sang Marian hymns.

The program continued with a presentation of customs related to the veneration of Saint George. In folk tradition, Saint George is the protector of farmers, shepherds, livestock, land, crops and greenery. Green is the color of vegetation and symbolizes hope, the victory of spring over winter, the victory of life over death. The custom of the St. George procession has great significance for the inhabitants of the Hrvatsko Zagorje, and the reason lies in the fact that Saint George is the protector of our region. St. George customs in the area of ​​northwestern Croatia have the status of cultural property and are on the List of Protected Intangible Cultural Properties of the Republic of Croatia.

The Processions of George the Green were presented to the audience by the Ethno Association Zipka, and a segment of the tradition of St. George customs from their region was presented by members of the Braća Radić Visoko Cultural Association and the Ozana Drama Group. Under the expert guidance of Tibor Martan and dance director Jasna Jež, they presented St. George congratulatory songs and chants and the St. George custom of decorating with greenery and a St. George wreath. The presentation of St. George's customs ended with a performance of songs and dances from Hrvatsko Zagorje and Prigorje accompanied by tamburitza players from Visoko.

According to tradition, the program ended with the singing of traditional songs and the tasting of a traditional shepherd's dish - cvrtje.