“La Mula de Parenzo” festival
This festival is a new museum program whose theme, or rather inspiration, is the character from the song "La mula de Parenzo." The idea for launching the festival stemmed from the desire to (re)interpret this character from a contemporary perspective, highlighting the theme of a female entrepreneur, as is also done in the Interpretive Center itself. The guiding question for the program was: who are today’s "mules," what are their creative endeavors, and what drives them?
The program is diverse, offering something for all ages, including traditional street games for children, gastronomy, history, art, and music.
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PROGRAM
The festival will begin on Friday, October 11th at 7:00 PM with the opening of the exhibition titled "Plavetnilo" by textile designer Ela Leko. The exhibition will be displayed at the "La mula de Parenzo" Visitor Center. "Plavetnilo" rounds off the artist's cycle, which explores marine monsters through the reconstruction and deconstruction of fabric. After being exhibited throughout Croatia, her works conclude their journey in Poreč, immersing themselves in the sea.
The program will continue on Saturday, October 12th at 10:00 AM on Freedom Square, at the plaza in front of the sculpture "Drop of Rain," with the opening of "Merkatina", a small design and creativity fair where female exhibitors will present their creations in the fields of ceramics, fashion design, plant arrangements, jewelry, and textile design.
As part of the fair, at 10:30 AM, there will be a presentation of a new souvenir from the "La mula de Parenzo" Visitor Center, created in collaboration with the brand "Ajoj." It features hand-embroidered pillowcases, where traditional embroidery techniques are used in a contemporary way.
Also, on Freedom Square, starting at 11:30 AM, traditional children's games such as hopscotch, hoop rolling, and spinning top games will be played. Children aged 5 to 12 are invited to participate.
On the same day, but at a different location – in the courtyard of the Museum – a workshop on traditional pasta making will be held at 10:00 AM, led by Enio Deković and Stanislav Poropat from Bobolo Gourmet. After the workshop, visitors will have the opportunity to taste the prepared dishes. The number of participants for the workshop is limited, so registration is required via email at lamuladeparenzo@muzejporec.hr. Applications are open until October 11th at 12:00 PM.
At 4:00 PM, a guided tour of the historic core of Poreč will take place, led by historian Bojan Horvat. The tour will start in front of the Poreč Heritage Museum.
The program continues at 7:00 PM in the ground floor of the Poreč Heritage Museum with the opening of the exhibition titled "Tribus parcae" or "The Fates Tribe", by artists Božica Dee Matasić, Darija Žmak Kunić, and Josipa Štefanec. The artists of this exhibition are connected by "threads of fate" on multiple levels; their three artistic expressions are primarily united by a sculptural, tactile approach. Spatial installations, objects, and interactive works embody a feminine poetics in the best sense. The 'lyrical' intertwining of traditional and contemporary materials and technologies, as well as complex crafting methods, are recurring themes in their works. All three artists are bound by numerous collaborations, resulting in a long-standing friendship, and in the meantime, all three have become university professors and successful artists with many exhibitions, award-winning projects, and public commissions. Their mutual support and collegiality exemplify female solidarity, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.
At 8:00 PM, after the exhibition opening, there will be a social gathering with a DJ set by Stephanie Prekali, a Zagreb-based DJ with Istrian roots. Her eclectic style knows no bounds. Her performances are characterized by a blend of house, funk, and disco, but she often surprises with electro and acid underground elements.
Participation in all festival activities is free.
The organizer of the program is the Poreč Heritage Museum – Museo del territorio parentino, with financial support from the City of Poreč-Parenzo.
