The weekend that just passed was marked by beautiful weather and numerous outdoor activities, all in celebration of St. Philip and James, the heavenly protectors of the parish of Novi Vinodolski.

On Saturday, there was an educational session and medicinal herb picking led by Mrs. Vasiljevka Kovač, who shared her knowledge and small secrets of making herbal ointments with the participants. The focus was on the healing properties of herbs, their effects on the body, and the correct time and method of picking each herb. As the best quality herbs are collected after three sunny days and ideally at noon, when the medicinal properties are at their peak, this herbal collection event was an opportunity for education and research into the natural habitats of these plants. The power of medicinal herbs is great, and we live in a climate that offers us a wealth of natural resources, we just need to know how to recognize and use them.

“I’m happy that the educational walk attracted our guests, as the group consisted of visitors from Zagreb and Slovenia, nature lovers who carefully absorbed every word from Mrs. Vasiljevka, engaging with questions and exchanging experiences. Both the guide and the participants expressed a wish to repeat the walk and deepen their knowledge of medicinal herbs, which is already planned for June 3rd, when we believe the weather will be more suitable for picking,” said Tena Peričić, Director of the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board.

Sunday also saw the opening of the flower market, which offered a wide variety of beautiful flowers, filling the air with fragrance and attracting a large crowd. Oleanders, hydrangeas, laurel cherries, Vrgorac strawberries, geraniums, and even vegetables were just some of the offerings that will decorate many gardens and balconies starting this weekend. Along with the flowers, the little ones enjoyed a special program prepared by the Šareno Svijet team. The story “Croatia in a Moment by Plane, Boat, and Train” and several games for kids delighted the young visitors, who still enjoyed the program despite the wind.

The central celebration and undoubtedly the most eventful day of the extended weekend was Monday, when Novi Vinodolski was lively and festive, not only with flowers but also with the Sung Balconies and an asparagus fritaja. Three fantastic duos – Joso Butorac and Mladen Žmak, Suzana Matušan Avgustini and Mateo Žmak, and Tea Bašić with Mateo Žmak accompanying on the piano – entertained the crowd at three locations with a diverse repertoire, while those who were craving a tasty treat enjoyed an enormous fritaja made with asparagus and 1,000 eggs, which disappeared in a record time of half an hour.

A festive Holy Mass was also held, and the solemn Eucharistic celebration was led by Vicar for Clergy of the Rijeka Archdiocese, Don Vjekoslav Đapić.

The extended weekend thus offered something for everyone who came to relax and recharge for the new work challenges ahead, and a new event – FIT4NOVI Days of Sports and Recreation – is already in the works!