Sitit će se moja ljubav stara (ojkan) – Benkovac, HR

KUD "Branimir" Benkovac
Mile Vrsaljko – Lead Voice (prvi glas)
Joso Škaulj, Šime Odžaković, Stanko Vrsaljko, Marinko Čerina, Ivan Ražov – Second Voice (pratnja)

The Leader of KUD/Predsjednica KUD-a: Ksenija Čirjak

Lyrics (ENG)

Oy, my old love will remember
The reveler she had

And she said she'd come over when she finished washing the pots
When she finished cleaning those two dark eyes

And she said she'd come over when she finished washing the pots
When she finished cleaning those two dark eyes

Lyrics (HR)

Oj, sitit će moja ljubav stara
Oj kakvoga je imala bećara

I rekla je doći će kad opere lončiće
Kad opere ona dva oka garava

I rekla je doći će kad opere lončiće
Kad opere ona dva oka garava

KUD “Branimir” Benkovac is a group that cultivates the musical and dance traditions of the Ravni Kotari and Bukovica region. It was founded in 1997. The group's repertoire includes shepherd songs and other traditional pieces that reflect the musical and historical diversity of these lands. KUD Benkovac is distinguished by its rich structure – the singing section is made up mainly of older residents of the local community, who pass on authentic songs and melodies to younger generations. In turn, the dance section, made up of young people, passionately recreates old customs and dances.

Benkovac is a small town in Croatia, located in northern Dalmatia, at the meeting point of two regions – Ravni Kotari and Bukovica. Geographically located between Zadar and Knin, Benkovac is an important cultural and administrative center of this part of the country. Culturally and ethnographically, Benkovac reflects the richness of Dalmatian heritage. Ravni Kotari is a lowland area known for its fertile lands and agricultural traditions, while Bukovica is characterized by a mountainous landscape and a strong influence of pastoral culture. In the town and its surroundings, these traditions intermingle, creating a unique blend of folklore, music, dances and customs.

Ravni Kotari is a region in northern Dalmatia, Croatia, stretching between Zadar and the Krka River. It is an area with an unusually rich history and tradition combining many cultures. The fertile plains located here have been conducive to settlement and agriculture for centuries, making Ravni Kotari a place where Slavic, Venetian, and Ottoman influences mingled. The region is known for its strong folk traditions, expressed mainly through music, dances, and crafts. Traditional music includes distinctive ojkanje songs and kolo dancing, performed during festivals and events. These art forms not only provide entertainment, but also express identity and belonging to a region that has gone through various political and cultural transformations over the centuries.

“Sitit će se moja ljubav stara” is a traditional man song from Ravni Kotari sung in “na bas” style. It is characterized by two-part harmony. It is practiced across the Balkans with different regional variants. It is based on intervals of a third, quart, and fifth. The lyrics describe everyday life of the community and are strongly associated with the local identity.
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About us – Balkan Polyphony is a field research project that collects traditional music from the Balkan area. We are not interested in any ideologies, we don’t take sides in any historical conflicts. What interests us is traditional culture and its musical intricacies.
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Our Partner: Narodni muzej Zadar, Etnološki odjel (National Museum Zadar, Ethnological Department)