Heat Drives Visitors Away Ahead of the 311th Alka
Although 40,000 visitors are expected, caterers complain of disastrous turnout. 'We have a tent for two hundred people, and there's one man sitting in it,' they say.
Although 40,000 visitors are expected, caterers complain of disastrous turnout. 'We have a tent for two hundred people, and there's one man sitting in it,' they say.
Sinj is hosting the 311th Alka this weekend, and the Alkars' atmosphere is already palpable on the town's streets. However, while a real influx of around 40,000 visitors is expected, the first days of the event have brought disappointment to local caterers who had hoped for a much better start.
At the Sinj fair, where a rich gastronomic offer is available, an unusual silence currently prevails. Although the offer is tempting, with the inevitable Sinj uštipci (fried dough balls) and roasted suckling pig and lamb, there are few buyers. A kilogram of suckling pig is sold at 35 euros, while a kilogram of lamb costs 45 euros, prices unchanged from last year.
At one of the three stalls with roasted meat, we found a local woman from Sinj who, despite the poor traffic, was in good spirits. "Where will I go home to my husband without roasted meat," she said through laughter for DalmacijaDanas. However, not everyone is so cheerful. When asked how sales are going, other caterers briefly reply: "Terrible!"
One of them described the situation in more detail for DalmacijaDanas. "Look, we have a tent for two hundred people, and there's one man sitting in it. Down at my colleague's place, it's the same thing. Bad, really bad this year. Maybe there will be more people after the Alka, but right now it's a sorry sight. We believe it's because of the heat, and we hope for better attendance tonight," he said.
Organizers and caterers hope that the situation will improve significantly in the afternoon and evening hours. Rivers of visitors are expected to flood Sinj's streets, especially due to the announced concert by Siniša Vuca, which should attract a large number of people and boost the atmosphere of the 311th Alka celebration.
