The Vrsi Miracle: Thousands Flock to the Ninth Vrsi Chatter
An event preserving the memory of old ways has grown into a spectacle that completely filled St. Michael's Street in Vrsi on Saturday evening.
An event preserving the memory of old ways has grown into a spectacle that completely filled St. Michael's Street in Vrsi on Saturday evening.
On Saturday evening, the old core of Vrsi turned into a stage where tradition came alive. From 9 PM until the early morning hours, St. Michael's Street was impassable. Thousands of visitors, both locals and tourists, poured into the ninth Vrsi Chatter, creating a scene organizers call a true Vrsi miracle.
The event offered a unique experience: from homemade food and drinks, through old crafts and artifacts, to children's games like egg-and-spoon races, hoop rolling, and tug-of-war. Visitors could also handwrite a postcard from the Vrsi Chatter and send it anywhere in the world, which drew great enthusiasm. The Vrsi fortune tellers-Marta, Maita, Ana, Iva, and Paula-attracted a particular crowd, with their hands full reading fortunes for the curious. "Everyone says they don't believe in fortune tellers, but then they all want to know. The men act the bravest, but in the end, they're the first to sit down and ask what's in store," Marta laughs. Her colleague Maita has already announced an even bigger celebration for the anniversary edition: "If this evening is anything to go by, the future looks bright for Vrsi. We see lots of joy, even more people, and one big party next year."
One of the biggest attractions was the old shoemaker's shop of Nikola Batović, which opens its doors exclusively during the Vrsi Chatter. The interior, filled with cobbler's tools and lasts, sparked a wave of nostalgia. "The younger ones have never seen anything like this, and the older ones start sharing their memories as soon as they walk in. Some remember the shoes they brought in for repair, others the people who used to chat here," says Ive, the son of the last Vrsi shoemaker.
The competitive part of the evening brought plenty of laughter. Women showed their skill by balancing a wooden bucket on their heads, with Jelena Magaš, born right on St. Michael's Street, taking the top prize. "I was born right on this street, so it would be a great shame if the bucket fell off in front of all my neighbors," the winner joked. The men tested their strength in a tug-of-war, where the team Vrški ćiketari emerged victorious. Their tactics were simple: "When we heard the winners get a roast suckling pig, there was no more fatigue or slipping. For a prize like that, we'd pull a ferry," they said with a laugh.
Rafaela Maraš, director of the Vrsi Tourist Board, highlighted the event's value. "Tourists today aren't just looking for sun but an experience they'll remember. Here, in one evening, they could taste homemade food and learn about the way of life in the past. That can't be bought or copied. That's Vrsi, our people, and our tradition," Maraš said.
Organizer and originator Šime Stojak didn't hide his delight at the turnout. "Nine years ago, we couldn't even dream that the Vrsi Chatter would grow into such a big event. People came from all sides, but the most important thing is that children, young people, and the elderly were all together," Stojak said. With the event celebrating its tenth, anniversary edition next year, the bar has been set high. "We'll need to open even more doors, find more old stories, and prepare something special. If this was a Vrsi miracle, for the anniversary edition, we'll have to create a miracle above miracles," Stojak announced.
