The power of social media is bringing more fabulous footage of Croatia as it one was into the public arena. A new occasional series from TCN starts on April 4, 2017, looking at the considerable heritage and history of the country through the videos of yesteryear.

If you were looking for a spectacular symbol of Croatian pride, heritage and tradition, it would be hard to find one more striking than the Sinj Alka, the only remaining knights tournament in Europe, and an event with attracts both national live television coverage and the personal visit of the Croatian President each August, as the proud horsemen of the inland Dalmatian town of Sinj continue the annual tradition of celebrating the 1715 Siege of Sinj by the Ottoman Turks, with an outstanding show of skill and horsemanship on one of the central streets of the town, which is transformed into the Alka knights terrain specially for the occasion.

It is hard to describe the feelings of pride, joy and tradition during the Alka weekend. Yes, of course there is a party, but it is the way local people accept and respect their roles to continue the Alka tradition that stayed with me during my Alka weekend a few years ago.

Every year, for 300 years. And things have not changed too much over time. A wonderful video of the Sinj Alka tournament in 1969 shows many similarities between the tournament of today, as well as a fabulous snapshot of a small and proud inland Dalmatian town almost 50 years ago.

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