The vineyard of the Pavlomir Wine House was the perfect backdrop for presenting this year’s edition of one of the most well-known events in Croatia – Ružica Vinodola, which will be held this year on August 11th, and 17th, 18th, and 19th, thus marking 19 years of the event in the format we know today. Ružica Vinodola is a competition to select the most skillful and capable girl in tasks related to viticulture, winemaking, and housekeeping, merging the past and present of the Vinodol region. However, the history of Ružica Vinodola dates far back, which was also recalled by the speakers at today’s press presentation, highlighting what awaits us this year.

This year, 12 candidates have applied for the competition, warmly greeted by the director of the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski, Tena Peričić, herself a former winner of the Ružica Vinodola title. She wished them memorable days and much success in mastering the nine disciplines that await them during the event. As she announced, everything begins on August 11th with the presentation of the candidates in Bribir, and continues with the first evening on August 17th in the Pavlomir vineyard, when the girls will compete in three disciplines related to grape harvesting. The program will be hosted by Mario Lipovšek Battifiaca and Irena Grdinić, and the musical part will feature the band Prava stvar. On the second day, at Frankopan Square in Novi Vinodolski, the girls will compete in household-related games, the program will be led by Irena Grdinić, and the audience will be entertained by the band Point. The grand finale will be held on Saturday, August 19th, in the Old Town of Novi Vinodolski, where the girls will compete in three final disciplines related to wine serving and presentation. The program will be led by Mario Lipovšek Battifiaca, and the popular Giuliano and Diktatori will entertain the audience. Around 11 PM, the new Ružica Vinodola will be announced, based on the evaluation of the jury, as well as the most likable girl chosen by the candidates themselves and the jury. Tena Peričić invited everyone to unforgettable days that only Ružica Vinodola knows how to create, noting that during the last two days in Novi there will also be a fair of old crafts and the wine festival “Kvarner Wines.”

Alongside the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski, the event is also organized by the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Vinodol, represented by director Alenka Spoja, who is not only a co-organizer but also the “Mama Ružica”. This will be her sixteenth year in this special role of caring for the candidates, acting as support, informant, and guide during the days of preparation and participation. Spoja invited everyone to Bribir on August 11th for a unique presentation of the candidates, including a fun culinary game – making traditional Bribir pasta “makaruni,” all accompanied by a performance by Đani Stipaničev and a party with the band Insula.

After the organizers’ introductory speeches, all 12 girls were introduced. A special point of interest is that the candidates come from various parts of Croatia, and particularly notable is the participation of two twin sisters. Through a special game, the order in which the girls will compete in all disciplines was determined. Competing for the prestigious title of Ružica Vinodola are: Roza Piškulić and Nina Piškulić (Opatija), Ana Kalanj (Zagreb/Klenovica), Karla Vešović (Zagreb), Ana Kovačević (Križevci), Nensi Preden (Novi Vinodolski), Lucija Biondić (Senj), Lucija Krpan (Novi Vinodolski), Daria Lencović (Rijeka), Ružica Orešković (Novi Vinodolski), Valentina Imširović (Drivenik), and Antonia Grbčić (Jadranovo).

The organizers of Ružica Vinodola are the Tourist Boards of Novi Vinodolski and the Municipality of Vinodol, in cooperation with the City of Novi Vinodolski, the Municipality of Vinodol, the Cultural Center of Novi Vinodolski, the Pavlomir Wine House, the Ružica Vinodola Association, and the agency Omnes. The patron of the event is the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia, and the sponsors are the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kvarner Tourist Board, agencies Katarina Line, Adria Mare, and Arriva, the Drveni Val Gallery, Primus Physio, and Studio Nijansi.

STATEMENTS

Tena Peričić, director of the Tourist Board of Novi Vinodolski: “Ružica Vinodola is an event that best connects the past and present of our region, and we are proud of it – I consider it our signature event. However, for me, it is special for another reason. In 2011, I participated in this competition and earned the title of the best. I remember it as a truly special experience – definitely one of the most beautiful in my life. In addition to great fun, I met wonderful girls and tried many activities I might never have had the chance to do – manual grape pressing, stomping grapes, manually corking bottles, and so on. Among the contestants were sisters Ružicas, Ružicas from neighboring countries and cities, and many women we now know from their professional paths. I believe this is one of the best ways to value our heritage and history while giving visitors a unique experience. This year in Novi Vinodolski, during the last two days of the competition, in collaboration with the Kvarner Wines association, a wine festival will also be held where visitors can enjoy presentations of old crafts. I look forward to every edition of Ružica Vinodola, and next year we are expecting the 20th anniversary of the first Ružica Vinodola, held in 2004.”**

Alenka Spoja, director of the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Vinodol: “The girls are dressed in white traditional clothing – a working outfit consisting of a shirt, dress, and undergarments, weighing about 10 kg. This shows that being Ružica Vinodola is no easy feat – it carries not only the titles of agility, speed, and skill, but also endurance. The girls compete in a total of nine games related to winemaking, viticulture, and customs from traditional life in Vinodol. Several judges monitor the competition, measuring time or quantity, and the jury decides which girl was the best and most skilled.”**

Ružica Vinodola is an event not to be missed – see you there!

CONTACT: Tena Peričić, +385 99 542 8310, tzg-novi-vinodolski@ri.t-com.hr

Photo: Omnes