Duško Jeličić Dule, one of the pioneers of the ČA-val, delivered a memorable concert at Kastav's Crekvina on Wednesday, joined by numerous musical guests and a career-spanning set.
Kastav's Crekvina was the stage for a special musical evening on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Duško Jeličić Dule, a legend of Chakavian music and one of the founders of the ČA-val, celebrated his 80th birthday with a grand concert as part of the Kastav Cultural Summer.
He was joined on stage by numerous friends and long-time collaborators: Mario Lipovšek Battifiaca, Dražen Turina Šajeta, Mauro Staraj, the Lovran Wind Orchestra, the Muška klapa Sv. Jakov, Nevia Rigutto, and Tamara Brusić. Together with his band Bonaca, Dule treated the audience to a retrospective of his rich career, performing songs that have shaped the musical identity of Kvarner and the Chakavian region for decades.
Organizers of the Kastav Cultural Summer highlighted this as one of the most special moments of this year's program. "Last night on the Crekvina, we celebrated one of the most special moments of this year's Summer: the 80th birthday of Duško Jeličić Dule, a true legend of Chakavian music, the 'father of the ČA-val,' and a man who has been woven into the identity of our region for decades," they stated in a post reported by Fiuman.hr.
The organizers described the atmosphere as brimming with emotion, with the audience delighting in songs that have marked generations. "In a celebratory atmosphere, with a stage full of emotion, Dule, along with his Bonaca, delivered a concert to remember. The audience enjoyed a cross-section of his rich career, songs that have defined generations, and the warmth that accompanies him at every performance," they added.
Through his many years of work, Duško Jeličić Dule has become one of the most recognizable names on the Chakavian music scene, and his 80th birthday was turned into a grand musical celebration on the Crekvina.
At the end of the evening, the Kastav Cultural Summer team thanked everyone who attended and announced the continuation of the program. "Thank you to all who were with us and made this celebration unforgettable. Duško, happy 80th birthday! And we continue on, singing, joyful, and full of ČA!" they concluded.
