A Legacy in Costume

Costume and Photo Exhibit

A highlight of this year’s gallery is a remarkable collection of museum-quality Croatian folk costumes, generously donated by Larry Weiner to the Seattle Junior Tamburitzans. These garments—representing various regions of Croatia—are a feast for the eyes, featuring handwoven fabrics, elaborate embroidery, and distinctive decorative elements unique to their place of origin.

Through the Lens of Martin Koenig

Photo Exhibit and Interview

The work of renowned folklorist, ethnographer, and photographer Martin Koenig will also be featured in the gallery. Beginning in the 1960s, Koenig traveled extensively through Eastern Europe, documenting traditional music, dance, and daily life—much of it in rural communities untouched by modern change.

His striking black-and-white photographs capture moments of joy, resilience, and human connection: a village dance in full swing, farmers at work in the fields, children learning the steps of an ancient kolo. At CroatiaFest, visitors will have the rare opportunity to see Koenig’s images of Croatian communities alongside his broader body of work, offering a visual record of traditions that, in some cases, have all but disappeared.

In addition to the photo exhibit, Seattle Jr. Tamburitzans Artistic Director John Morovich will conduct a special interview with Martin Koenig at the festical, exploring his decades of experiences documenting Croatian folklore through photography, audio recordings, and film. This conversation will offer audiences a deeper understanding of Koenig’s fieldwork and the importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage for future generations.

Who Were They and Where Were They From?

Bellingham Komiza Connection

In 2015, CroatiaFest, led by CFU Board Members Richard Major and John Morovich created a set of narrative panels about Croats in Western Washington. They enlisted the help of community members to tell the story of Croatian immigration and accomplishments of the immigrants and their children.

The Bellingham portion of the project was researched by the late Veronica Mratinich who passed away in December of 2024. Limited space required us to edit some of Veronica’s text in the original presentation. We are pleased to present Veronica’s work in its entirety this year tying in our Komiza themed programming.