Branch of "Seljačka Sloga" Buševec

   The origins of cultural and educational work in Buševec we find in the early 20th century which is the time when Tamburitza orchestra was founded as the the part of the Voluntary fire department but as well a period when library was opened and overall concern for the village began. Soon along side with the Tamburitza orchestra Buševec gets Chorus (singers) which besides religious songs plays and sings secular ones as well.

   After World War One there was an idea to establish association whose task would be to spread education and culture in the village and as such would have an educational role. Croatian common peasant party was a great asset for the foundation of the first educational and voluntary association "Seljačka sloga" on June 18th, 1920.

   First dome was built in the year 1923 and that was a progress as far as working conditions go for "Seljačka sloga". In that same year, right on Saint Stephen's, December 26th, first drama play premiere took place. That was a very begging of rich and intensive dramaturgy. Theatre stage in Buševec was for the next 80 years a place for the most prominent works of Croatian and foreign drama literature.

   Politically very turbulent period was from 1923 till 1941 due to temporary prohibitions for some associations and their work so cultural activity was alive thanks to sport club "Seljak" and Voluntary fire-department. During the World War Two, since 1941 until 1945, there was no cultural or sport life in Buševec apart from activity in Voluntary fire-department.

   After the World War Two, cultural-educational work was rebuilt by National front with the help from "dilettante section" which is was a part of the Voluntary fire-department. We can also mention the work of the National youth who rehearsed and staged plays in the villages nearby.

   The collective dome was built in 1950 and had a big stage so that created much better conditions for drama section and that was the reason that "Seljačka sloga" began fresh with its work. The bases for work were nourishing drama activity and the singing chorus was restored. This hard work gave life to fantastic plays and their high quality and participations in many different competitions. We can take for example the year 1969 when Slavko Kolar's play "Svoga tela gospodar" was found as the best Croatian amateur play and as such has participated in Yugoslavia festival which was held in Hvar where it also took home many, many rewards.

   A very special care was directed to repertoire in dialect of this village (kajkavski) and also some new authors appeared and took some rewards for their plays, as well.

   In the intention to preserve old Turopolje wedding tradition in 1969 there was a premiere of play called Turopolje wedding and we can still see it on our stage, slightly moderated as the time goes and some things change. There were many foundations of dance, singing and tamburitza groups of all ages and were under skilled leadership of professionals, but as well were in the very top of folklore amateurism with many rewards. Over thirty years Buševec nourishes friendship with Croatian minority in Hungary and Romania. Some parts of Buševec association perform in many countries in Europe and North America.

   Branch "Seljačka sloga" Buševec was developed from educational and cultural association whose sole task was to teach and help their members and today we can see it as respectable nursery of culture in central Turpolje and as such brings out forgotten cultural heritage of these parts and the entire Croatia as well.

 
 
Josip Zubek - prvi predsjednik Ogranka
Josip Zubek (1892 - 1968)

 

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