Duke Šušnjara Issues Decree: Schedule for the 311th Sinjska Alka
This year's Alka is under the patronage of President Zoran Milanović, with festivities beginning on August 7 with the competition for the Bara.
This year's Alka is under the patronage of President Zoran Milanović, with festivities beginning on August 7 with the competition for the Bara.
On Thursday, July 31, 2026, the Alka Duke Mario Šušnjara issued the ceremonial decree number 311, officially announcing the detailed program for this year's Sinjska Alka. The three-day festivities, to be held from August 7 to 9, will culminate in the main Alka tournament on Sunday, with the patron of the 311th edition of the knightly game being the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, who himself has Sinj roots.
In the extensive decree, Duke Šušnjara highlighted the symbolism of the Alka, which is held in memory of the glorious battle of August 1715, when the defenders of Sinj repelled the Ottoman invaders. "The Alka is our destiny," Šušnjara proclaimed, calling the alkars "knights of Our Lady of Sinj." He also addressed contemporary global challenges, expressing deep sympathy for the people of Ukraine enduring the horrors of war, as well as concern over the situation in the Middle East and the increasingly frequent "hybrid" methods of warfare.
Recalling the bravery of the people of the Cetina region during the Homeland War, from Vukovar to Dubrovnik, the Duke appealed for responsible behavior towards nature, highlighting the Cetina landscape as a "beautiful area" that must be preserved for future generations.
The decree provides a precise schedule for all three days. The festivities begin on Friday, August 7, with the Day of the Bara. The company of alkars will be gathered at the hippodrome by the alaj-čauš Ivica Filipović Grčić, assisted by his deputy, alkar Tino Radanović. At 5:00 PM, the alkars will head towards the monument to fra Pavle Vučković, where at 5:10 PM they will be joined by the alkar's lads, led by harambaša Pavle Križanac and his deputy Ivan Vladović. The competition for the Bara on the racetrack begins at 5:30 PM, and the Duke will tie 2 meters of green cloth to the winner's spear.
The Day of Čoja, on Saturday August 8, follows an identical gathering protocol, with the competition also starting at 5:30 PM. The winner will receive the traditional banner of 311 centimeters of red cloth.
The main day, August 9, will begin at 6:00 AM with the firing of the mačkula from the ramparts of the old Fortress, followed by the reveille played by the City Band. This will be followed by the laying of wreaths for fallen defenders from 1715 and the Homeland War, as well as for all deceased members of the Knightly Alka Society. That same morning, the Duke's adjutant Davor Svalina and his attendant will visit representatives of civil, military, and church authorities in a ceremonial carriage to invite them to the Alka, after which they will lay a wreath at the cemetery of St. Francis in Sinj in memory of all deceased and fallen members of the Society and all fallen patriots.
At 1:00 PM, trumpeters and drummers will summon the alkars from Kamičak to gather. The alkars and their lads will assemble at the alaj-čauš's at 2:00 PM, where the alaj-čauš will review the alkars and the harambaša will review the lads. After that, the procession heads towards the Alka Palace, arriving at 3:30 PM. There, the Duke will inspect the equipment, weapons, uniforms, and decorations of the participants, after which the alkars and lads will greet President Milanović, Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
The procession, led by the Duke and Adjutant Svalina, departs at 4:30 PM towards the racetrack, where the Duke will declare the 311th Alka open. After the winner is announced, to whose spear he will tie the flame of the Croatian tricolor, patron Zoran Milanović will personally present the gifts and deliver a speech. The history lesson at the Fortress will be given by a member of the Knightly Alka Society, Professor don Josip Dukić, PhD, who will then lead the traditional Mass at the same location.
In conclusion, the Duke invited everyone to share in the joy, tolerance, and understanding, with an invitation to meet again next year at the 312th Sinjska Alka.
