Split’s Sudamja Faces Criticism Over High Costs and Music-Heavy Program

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Split's Sudamja Faces Criticism Over High Costs and Music-Heavy Program

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Split’s annual Sudamja festival, centuries-old tradition honoring Saint Duje, has drawn sharp critique from local commentator Damir Šarac for its extravagant spending and diluted customs amid a sea of music performances.

Held every year since the martyrdom of Bishop Duje—also known as Domnius—in the ancient Roman city of Salona near modern-day Split in 305 AD, Sudamja marks Split’s patron saint’s feast day on May 7. The event blends religious processions, folk customs like “lokanje” (a traditional wolf-calling ritual), and public festivities, drawing thousands to the Dalmatian coast.

This edition, the 1,722nd by historical count, reportedly consumed 600,000 euros from the city budget, fueling rumors of rising costs that could make it “priskupa”—too expensive. Šarac laments a program overwhelmed by musicians and “svlačione” (striptease acts), sidelining sacred elements such as the saint’s relics procession and authentic rituals. He invokes an old Split saying: “ča je prislano ni maški ni drago” (what’s borrowed is neither nice nor dear), suggesting the festival feels inauthentic and improvised.

Historically, Sudamja evolved from early Christian commemorations in Salona, destroyed in the 7th century, to Split’s Diocletian’s Palace-centered celebrations by the Middle Ages. Past iterations featured petarunci folk games, wine flows, and solemn masses, but recent years have leaned into pop concerts and commercial spectacles to attract tourists.

Critics argue the shift prioritizes entertainment over heritage, potentially alienating locals while straining public funds. City officials have not detailed the full lineup, but the emphasis on “beskrajni niz koncerata” (endless concert series) underscores tensions between tradition and modernity in one of Croatia’s oldest festivals.

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