VAD Sharply Criticizes Sinj Mayor
The Governing Board of the Sinj Knightly Alkars' Society issued a statement expressing regret over the mayor's conduct during the 311th Sinjska Alka, while the festivities themselves were deemed successful.
The Governing Board of the Sinj Knightly Alkars' Society issued a statement expressing regret over the mayor's conduct during the 311th Sinjska Alka, while the festivities themselves were deemed successful.
The Sinj Knightly Alkars' Society (VAD) issued a sharp public statement on Wednesday criticizing the Mayor of Sinj for his behavior during this year's Alka festivities. Although the City of Sinj is one of the co-organizers of the event, VAD stated that the Mayor's actions sought to diminish the significance of the occasion.
"We express our regret that the Mayor of Sinj, despite being a co-organizer of the Alka festivities, through his behavior towards high-ranking guests, inappropriate for the position he holds, sought to belittle and devalue the event itself," reads the VAD statement released on August 12, 2026.
At the session of the Governing Board, the Court of Honor, and the Supervisory Board of VAD held on August 11, the 311th Sinjska Alka was assessed as successful and held in the spirit of tradition. The Bara, held on August 7, attracted around six thousand spectators but was delayed by about an hour due to a heavy downpour and thunderstorm. Once safe conditions were met, Jure Domazet Lošo emerged as the winner after three run-offs, with a total of 11 points.
The following day, August 8, the Čoja was held before an equal number of visitors. In sunny and sultry weather, Mihovil Župa triumphed with seven points. The central Alka, watched by more than eight thousand people, brought drama in the run-off. After Josip Čačija, Pavao Prolić, Tino Radanović, and Frano Talaja had an identical number of points, Tino Radanović became the victor of the 311th Alka in the second run-off with 12 points.
In its statement, VAD particularly thanked numerous high-ranking guests. Among them were the President of the Republic of Croatia and patron of the Alka, Zoran Milanović; the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković; the Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković; the Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto; the Chair of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dragan Čović; and the Mayor of Zagreb, Tomislav Tomašević.
Thanks were also extended to church dignitaries, including the Vicar General Franjo Frankopan Velić, Provincial Fr. Siniša Balajić, Guardian Fr. Marinko Vukman, and the parish priest of Sinj, Fr. Antonijo Mravak, as well as to members of the Armed Forces led by Brigadier General Mirko Stošić.
The Society also expressed gratitude to all institutions and services involved in the organization, including the Sinj and Cetinska Krajina Regiment, the Shrine of Our Lady of Sinj, the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, the Sinj Veterans' Center, the Sinj City Music, the police, firefighters, emergency medical services, utility services, media, Alka riders, protocol members, and VAD staff and volunteers. Special thanks were given to the general sponsor, Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP).
Despite the dispute with the Mayor, VAD concluded that the Bara, Čoja, and Alka once again delighted spectators and were held in accordance with the Society's Statute and the Rules of the Alka.
